{"id":22957,"date":"2014-08-12T20:00:59","date_gmt":"2014-08-13T03:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/?p=22957"},"modified":"2016-01-18T12:44:59","modified_gmt":"2016-01-18T20:44:59","slug":"top-tips-for-puzzle-caches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/2014\/08\/top-tips-for-puzzle-caches\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Tips for Puzzle Caches"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4 dir=\"ltr\">By Dani Navarre<\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22972\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22972\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-22972\" alt=\"About to sing an &quot;Ode to the Golgafrinchan Phone Workers&quot;...GC32A0H\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/db054296-b7a6-49b3-acc5-62673efa8639.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3mo08i005h0zn.cloudfront.net\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/08\/db054296-b7a6-49b3-acc5-62673efa8639.jpg 640w, https:\/\/d3mo08i005h0zn.cloudfront.net\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/08\/db054296-b7a6-49b3-acc5-62673efa8639-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22972\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">About to sing an &#8220;Ode to the Golgafrinchan Phone Workers&#8221;&#8230;GC32A0H<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Do puzzle caches leave you scratching your head?<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Does the thought of having to decode encrypted messages make you break out in hives? If no, then you might be a geocaching Puzzler in disguise. If yes, then take a deep breath and find your happy place because we have just the tips to sooth your puzzle anxiety.<\/p>\n<h3>Puzzle caches, Mystery caches, or Unknown caches are a type of geocache for those who enjoy an extra challenge.<\/h3>\n<p>They require geocachers to solve complicated puzzles in order to decode the correct cache coordinates or crack secret clues to unlock a cache\u2019s stash. If you haven\u2019t encountered this kind of cache before the prospect may seem daunting, but have no fear! Puzzle caches are fun way to spice up any geocaching adventure while flexing your beefy brain muscles.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22979\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22979\" style=\"width: 502px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-22979\" alt=\"These folks are just a puzzle away from 'Within Reach&quot;...GC4B84C\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/9e62496b-24ee-43dd-88eb-f4cc7419f9871.jpg\" width=\"502\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3mo08i005h0zn.cloudfront.net\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/08\/9e62496b-24ee-43dd-88eb-f4cc7419f9871.jpg 502w, https:\/\/d3mo08i005h0zn.cloudfront.net\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/08\/9e62496b-24ee-43dd-88eb-f4cc7419f9871-300x215.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 502px) 100vw, 502px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22979\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">These folks are just a puzzle away from &#8216;Within Reach&#8221;&#8230;GC4B84C<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>So don your trenchcoat and channel your inner Sherlock.<\/h3>\n<p>(\u2018Cause who wouldn\u2019t want to be Benedict Cumberbatch?). Here are Geocaching HQ\u2019s top tips for puzzle caches:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Practice Makes Perfect.<\/strong> Start easy by tackling puzzle caches that have a one or two star difficulty rating. The more puzzle caches you conquer over time the more tricks of trade you\u2019ll pick up and the easier it\u2019ll become.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check what type of puzzle needs to be solved.<\/strong> There are different kinds of puzzle caches that call for different strategies, so before you head out check to see what the requirements entail. Some caches are in-the-field, meaning you have to use visual clues from the surrounding location to decipher the coordinates or unlock the cache. Other caches can be solved before you even step out the door! These ask you to solve a particular puzzle off of the geocache\u2019s webpage or lookup information on the internet.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gather the Mystery Gang.<\/strong> Two heads are better than one! Bring your geocaching pals along, not only is geocaching more fun when you have your buddies but they can help you brainstorm through those extra tricky questions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check for invisible ink.<\/strong> Sometimes cache owners will hide clues on a geocache\u2019s webpage in white font. Highlight the page to reveal the secrets that were right in front of your nose the whole time.\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Bonus points if you caught this one! You\u2019re a Puzzler already!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>The source code isn\u2019t just a movie.<\/strong> Cache owners may add comments with hints in the cache\u2019s html source code. To find this open the source code on your browser\u2019s menu selection and search for comments.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It\u2019s all in the name.<\/strong> A hint to the cache\u2019s location may be located in the cache\u2019s or cache owner\u2019s name or give you an idea of where the cache may be or what it may look like.<\/li>\n<li><strong>When in doubt use Google.<\/strong> Search engines may not have the answer to everything, but they have the answer for a lot of things. So if you\u2019re truly stuck, look to the internet to give you a helping hand. Some cache pages may even include answer checkers to see if you guessed the correct coordinates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Whether you want to step up your geocaching game or are trying to earn your Puzzler\u2019s badge for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/myaccount\/sevensouvenirs\" rel=\"nofollow\">7 Souvenirs of August<\/a>, puzzle caches are an excellent way to mix your geocaching routine. If you\u2019re looking for a little cache-speration check out \u201cOde to the Golgafrinchan Phone Workers\u201d (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/geocache\/GC32A0H_hqgt-ode-to-the-golgafrinchan-phone-workers\" rel=\"nofollow\">GC32A0H<\/a>), an unique cache inspired by The Hitchhiker\u2019s Guide to the Galaxy that requires you to listen carefully and dial in the right code. Close by is the geocache \u201cWithin Reach\u201d (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/geocache\/GC4B84C_hqgt-within-reach\" rel=\"nofollow\">GC4B84C<\/a>) which asks you to use visual clues to open a cache that also moonlights as a piece of functional art!<\/p>\n<h3>Do you love a good mystery? Tell us about your puzzling geocaching experiences or share your favorite puzzle tips! Be careful not to reveal any cache spoilers.<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-22994 aligncenter\" alt=\"fdsfdsfdsfds\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/fdsfdsfdsfds-1.jpg\" width=\"566\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3mo08i005h0zn.cloudfront.net\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/08\/fdsfdsfdsfds-1.jpg 707w, https:\/\/d3mo08i005h0zn.cloudfront.net\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/08\/fdsfdsfdsfds-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/d3mo08i005h0zn.cloudfront.net\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/08\/fdsfdsfdsfds-1-300x298.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h6>\u00a0Can you spot the mystery within this post?<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Dani Navarre &nbsp; &nbsp; Do puzzle caches leave you scratching your head? Does the thought of having to decode encrypted messages make you break out in hives? If no, then you might be a geocaching Puzzler in disguise. If yes, then take a deep breath and find your happy place because we have just&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[135,137],"tags":[154],"series":[],"class_list":["post-22957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-learn","category-news","tag-souvenirs"],"episode_featured_image":false,"episode_player_image":"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/feed\/podcast\/inside-geocaching-hq-podcast","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"eu6ud8kZUZ\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/2014\/08\/top-tips-for-puzzle-caches\/\">Top Tips for Puzzle Caches<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/2014\/08\/top-tips-for-puzzle-caches\/embed\/#?secret=eu6ud8kZUZ\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"&#8220;Top Tips for Puzzle Caches&#8221; &#8212; Official Blog\" data-secret=\"eu6ud8kZUZ\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! 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