Jump to content

puzzle geocaches


scrabblecat

Recommended Posts

Hi I am new to geocaching and I was going to search for one in Looe the other day but noticed that there is a puzzle attached. However there were Letters ABCD and then EFG and so on which did not make any sense of the Decrypting as it still wouldn't have made any sense even then. Could someone please explain how these puzzles work. thank you

Link to comment

Hi I am new to geocaching and I was going to search for one in Looe the other day but noticed that there is a puzzle attached. However there were Letters ABCD and then EFG and so on which did not make any sense of the Decrypting as it still wouldn't have made any sense even then. Could someone please explain how these puzzles work. thank you

 

Often a puzzle cache will be create such that you have to obtain a number of digits. Typically, you have to solve for all 15 digits in the set of coordinates or just the 6 digits used in the minutes portion of the lat and long coordinates.

 

 

For a puzzle like this, the CO will include a "formula" such as

 

N 42 25.ABC W 076 30.DEF

 

For example, the cache page might display six clues that will correspond to six digits such as

 

A: Bobby Orr Jersey Number

 

With a little research you'll discover that Bobby Orr's hockey jersey number was 4, thus you'd make A=4 and substitute into the formula

 

Once you've solved all the clues, you'll have the final coordinates

 

In some cases, you have to solve for all 15 digits and in some ways that's easier and you'll see a formula such as:

 

North AB CD.EFG West HI JK.LMN

 

For example, if the first clue is

 

A: Bobby Orr, 1970

 

The puzzle might not tell you if it's based on hockey player jersey numbers or the number of characters in the name of the team that player played on in a specific year.

 

Using the jersey number would produce a 4. Using the team name (Bruins) would produce a 5.

 

If you know that all of the nearby caches in the area have a 42 for the degrees in the North coordinates you'd know that you're looking for jersey numbers rather than team names.

 

It can get trickier than this when multi digit numbers or basic math is used. For example, the pattern might be:

 

N 42 28.XXX W 76 30.YYY with an additional equation such as (A * B) + C = XXX

 

 

 

Link to comment

The types of puzzle caches that exist are limited only by cache hiders' imaginations. There are a gazillion types of puzzle caches. Here is a handy link that will give you some ideas on solving - Solving Puzzles

 

It is kind of frowned upon to provide solutions to a puzzle cache in a public forum. If you get stuck, it doesn't hurt to email the cache owner for some hints, especially if you are new to puzzle caches. Many COs would be glad to give you some help on their puzzles.

 

Good luck!

Link to comment

The letters are probably placeholders for the unknown number. Just like in high school math; 10+x=12, where x=2. How to get what those numbers are? We'll that parts up to you. It could be anything - literally anything. Foreign language, a WWII German code, hidden text, counting windows on an office building,

 

Now on to helping you- well we can't for 2 reasons. One is that since there are so many different ways to make a puzzle cache, we'd just be guessing without actually seeing it. But don't show us- asking for help on a specific puzzle on the forums is frowned upon and against the geocaching guidelines.

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...