Jbeck2'S SudokOOPS! (CARW2011)
Continued Misadventures of Jbeck2 - the Newbie Geocacher
Everybody loves a good Sudoku right? I decided to post a Sudoku puzzle cache for the upcoming CARW2011 event.
Like many Sudoku caches out there, I decided I would encode the coordinates in the puzzle - where solving the puzzle would give the digits for the Northing and the Westing.
I couldn't use just ANY Sudoku puzzle though. I wanted a really special one.
I did some searching online and tracked down an individual who called himself "Koudus" who claimed to be able to produce just such a puzzle. He indicated he was an expert at creating "hand-drawn" Sudoku puzzles (whatever that means).
After explaining what Geocaching was about, I conveyed my need to encode coordinates in the puzzle. He said he'd have something for me within a week.
A week later I contacted Koudus to ask if he could send me the completed puzzle via email.
Imagine my surprise when he refused.
Why?
He insisted that a "hand-drawn" Sudoku shouldn't be just typed up on a computer and emailed - they were supposed to be written down by hand.
Seriously?!?
He offered to mail it, but I explained that in order to make the posting deadline for the CARW2011 event, I needed it TODAY!
We compromised and he agreed to fax it.
I dug out my old fax machine, and set it up to receive.
I waited anxiously for the call to come in and the fax to begin transmitting.
I watched excitedly while the special Sudoku began scrolling out of the fax.
That's when the trouble started...
Halfway through the transmission, there was a crinkling noise and the paper in the fax started sort of turning sideways!
I watched as the paper wrinkled and jammed, causing the fax machine to stop dead in its tracks.
Noooooooooooooooooo!!!
Here's what I ended up with... I tried to flatten out what was left of the page as best I could...
Oh no! It looks like half the puzzle is missing - and so are some of the letters!
I tried to get Koudus to retransmit, but there must be bits of paper lodged deep inside my fax machine or something. I can't get a sheet of paper to feed through it at all.
Now what?!?!
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.