PUZZLE - The Beginning
INFO FOR PUZZLE
The first puzzle geocache was GC58 - Pyramid Point. The description of the cache page has been changed, so we can no longer know what the actual puzzle was.
The oldest active puzzle cache is located in our great state: GC70 - Octopus Gardens. It is also the oldest active cache in North Carolina.
0.
There are two types of mystery puzzle caches:
a. A Challenge cache which is usually (but not always) at the posted coordinates.
b. A "true" puzzle cache that you DO have to solve a puzzle to get the final coordinates.
1.
There are two ways, I know of, to get the final coords for the "true" puzzle cache:
a. Solve the puzzle.
b. Get the coords from another cacher. This includes going with another cacher who has solved the puzzle to the final. One of my favorite saying is "If you don't solve the puzzle, it is only a traditional".
2.
Either way is okay, but it certainly can be a learning experience and LOTS of fun to do it the number '1 a' way. Well maybe FUN is an exaggeration. It can be frustrating, time consuming, etc. But when the puzzle is complete and the geochecker says 'success', it is a very good feeling.
3.
Everyone has to start somewhere. That FIRST puzzle.
4.
Ways that will help when you are first getting started:
a. Check out the difficulty rating and get one that is not too hard.
b. Then if you still need a nudge write the CO or a previous finder.
c. Puzzle buddy - I found an awesome puzzle buddy that had puzzles he couldn't solve and I had LOTS I couldn't solve. So we would send nudges, NEVER final coords.
d. A group working on a puzzle together is always a lot of fun too.
e. Also remember 'Goggle' is your friend!
A professor said MANY, MANY years ago that you do NOT have to know everything. You just need to know where to find it. So use your resources.
5.
As you continue to solve, you should see the harder puzzles becoming easier.
6.
So the purpose of this series is to give those who need a nudge, a nudge. A starting point.
7.
But this series goes beyond a nudge. In the nudge section, I will tell you exactly how a type of puzzle is solved.
8.
There are LOTS of puzzles out there and this series can never nudge you toward solving all the puzzles you look at, but hopefully it will get you started and you will look at that little blue question mark with anticipation, instead of turning away. LOL!
9.
There are 15 numbers in the coordinates for GZ (ground zero). [Sometimes they leave out the 0 in the 8th space making 14 numbers]. Look at the posted coords. The 1st & 2nd and the 8th, 9th, 10th are always the same. The third & 11th numbers on your posted coords will usually not change, but can be one higher or one lower.
10.
In 2006, geocaching guidelines said "Unless a good reason otherwise can be provided, the posted coordinates should be no more than 1-2 miles away from the true cache location."
In 2015, geocaching guideline said "Final coordinates must be less than 2 miles (3.2 km) from the posted coordinates."
So when you look at a puzzle cache, look at the date it was published. After 2015, it can not be over 2 miles from the final. You can use Google Earth (or a similar program) and make a 2 mile circle around the posted coords. If your final coords do not fall within that circle, then they are probably not right.
Also another cache can NOT be closer than 528 feet from your final coords. You can check traditional caches to help, but there may be a hidden puzzle cache you can't see. But knowing where the traditionals are can help.
THE PUZZLE --- final coordinates = N PU ZZ.LES W CAN BE.FUN
P = 3
U = 5
Z = 4
Z = Either way is okay
L = Ways that will help when you are first getting started:
E = But this series goes beyond a nudge
S = Everyone has to start somewhere. That FIRST puzzle.
C = 0
A = 7
N = 9
B = 2
E = There are LOTS of puzzles out there
F = Everyone has to start somewhere. That FIRST puzzle.
U = Either way is okay
N = There are two ways, I know of, to get the final coords for the "true" puzzle cache:
You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.
We are in NC. It has rained. The logs WILL probably be wet! Unless someone has changed it, it is writ-in-rain paper. Write on it.
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