GMT!'s BCS: MY2- The ORDER is the key! Mystery Cache

Official Stuff

This cache is available 24/7. Please use stealth when making the retrieval!

The BCS Series

Welcome to GMT's BCS (Basic Cache Series!!). This series is designed for newer geocachers who may not be as familiar with different types of geocaches or where to begin on these! MY2 is "Mystery 2" and this cache is the second n the series, designed to help you build your puzzle skills! We are still pretty basic here, so come on and give it a try!!

What is an Unknown/Mystery Cache?

In your statistics, these will show up as "Unknown" caches. However, they are often referred to as "Mystery" caches (and will be in this description). In Geocaching, mystery caches are designated by the blue question mark symbol. In most cases, the cache will not be found at the posted coordinates, but there are exceptions. Mystery caches can take many forms, but here are some of the most common ones you'll see:

1. The cache page has a puzzle of some kind that you must solve to get the coordinates to the actual geocache.
2. The cache requires you to go to the posted coordinates and get information there that will help you calculate the final coordinates
3. The cache requires you to get information from other caches to find. These are sometimes called "Bonus" caches.
4. The cache requires you to use an "Augmented Reality" (AR) app to find the coordinates to the geocache.
5. The cache is hidden at the posted coordinates, but requires some type of puzzle to actually open the cache and retrieve the log.
6. The cache is a "Challenge" cache. These caches are typically at the posted coordinates, but require you satisfy some criteria in order to claim the cache as a "find".

Caches may also combine several of these methods into multiple stages. For instance, you may have to solve a puzzle, to find out where to go to get information to solve a second puzzle with on-site info, to get the final cache location that has a puzzle to open the cache! You should always read the cache page carefully to see if the cache is indeed at the posted coordinates or not

How do I Solve a Mystery Cache?

First, and foremost, read the cache page carefully!!!! Make sure you see something like, "The cache is not at the posted coordinates" or some other clue there is a puzzle to solve!! Again, there are some Mystery caches that are simply at the posted coordinates.

If you have determined that there is a puzzle on the cache page you must solve, then it's time to get solving!! How? Unfortunately, a puzzle can literally be anything!! That can certainly make them difficult. But, there are a few things you can be on the lookout for...

The Two-Mile Rule

If you are looking for a newer geocache, the "Two-Mile Rule" is VERY important. This rule has been established by Groundspeak and states that posted coordinates must be within 2 miles of the actual physical cache container. This can be helpful in solving a mystery cache.

Why is the Two-Mile Rule Helpful?

If you are trying to solve for the entire coordinate string (all 14/15 digits), then this can be very helpful. For example, the North coordinates for this cache are N 34° 00.057. N 29 00.057 is in central Florida, and N 40 00.057 is in Ohio-- both of which severely violate the two-mile rule. So, you absolutely KNOW that the first number of the coordinates to this cache is a 3!!

Now, the next number is a little tough because the posted coordinates are N 34 00.057, which is almost right on the 34th parallel, but you could do the same thing and learn that 35 is just too big of a number, and the only numbers that will work are 33 or 34. You've now narrowed down the second number to a 3 or a 4! Now you can start searching for ways to get a 33 or 34 for your first two numbers!!

Additionally, when you get a solution, and there is no geo-checker (explained below), one of the easiest ways to see if your answer is reasonable is to calculate the distance between your solution and the posted coordinates. Is it less than 2 miles? If so, then your solution is at least reasonable. If not, it may be incorrect

Note that the two-mile rule is relatively recent. Older geocaches do NOT have to follow this rule.

Do I Know What I'm Looking For?

Unfortunately, every puzzle is different. However, you are typically looking to "solve" for one of three different things:

1. An actual number ("3" or "4")
2. A number spelled out ("THREE" or "FOUR")
3. Some type of phrase that tells you where the cache is ("From the posted coordinates, go 100 feet due north to a large fallen tree...")

Of course, there are exceptions to this, but these are by far the most common...

Be sure to read both the cache page AND the cache title. You will often find hints or clues here. For example, there is very likely a clue to solve this one in the cache title!

Types of Puzzles

There is simply no way to list all of the types of puzzles you will see. However, we can list some of the more common things you'll see:

• Puzzles where you have to count things (letters, words, special characters, etc.)
• Puzzles based on positions (which letter of the alphabet, which word in a sentence, which number president, etc.)
• Puzzles that require mathematical computations
• Puzzles that use codes or ciphers (Morse code, semaphore, ROT13, One-Time Pads, etc.)
• Puzzles that use months, days, or dates
• Puzzles that use facts that must be researched (How many time did Jeff Probst win an Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program?)
• Puzzles that use different languages (Either spoken, or computer)
• Puzzles that require you to get information from pop culture references (movies, tv, music)
• Puzzles where things are hidden-- inside digital pictures, in HTML code, in white text on the cache page Hey look!! Some hidden text!! NO WAY!!!! How did you do that?!?!?
• Anything that anyone can think of that produces a number of words can be used!!

How Do I Know If I Solved The Puzzle Correctly?

You've done some work, you have something that looks like coordinates, but how do you know if you solved it correctly? Here are some ways to verify:

• There is a solution checker or "geo-checker" on the page: Often times, the CO will provide a "checker" that will allow you to in put your coordinates and verify if they are correct. Some checkers will take you to a separate web page. Sometimes the geo-checker will give you an additional hint! Note that if you scroll down on this page, there is a solution checker!
• The Two-Mile Rule: If there is no geo-checker, remember that for newer caches, they must be within 2 miles of the posted coordinates! Uses a coordinate distance calculator to verify that your solution is within 2 miles of the posted coordinates!
• Enter you coordinates in Google Maps: It never hurts to enter your coordinates into the search bar on Google maps and use the satellite view to look where those coordinates put you! If you're in the middle of a person's house, you've probably not got the correct solution!
• Ask the CO!: Many times, the CO is happy to confirm your work for you! Use the "Message This Owner" link at the top to send the CO a message!

What Do I Do After I've Solved the Puzzle?

Now that you've solved the puzzle, you'll want to update the the coordinates. If you are solving the puzzle from home, you can do this right on the web page. This can be done a few ways:

• Sometimes the solution checker or geo-checker will offer to update the coordinates for you. If so, just click the appropriate response to update the coordinates!
• If you have to update the coordinates on the webpage manually, scroll up towards the top and you will see the posted coordinates. There will be a small "pencil" next to the coordinates. Click this and you will see a new window open. This box will list the "Original" coordinates and give you line marked "Change To". Enter your new coordinates here! Click "Submit", and you will see the coordinates update on the page. See the screenshots below for examples:

1. Find the "Pencil" next to the posted coordinates. Click this."

2. You will see a new box open up. Find the line marked, "Change To:" and enter the coordinates here. Make sure to enter them in the proper DD MM.MMM format! When you are done, click 'Submit" to update.

3. When the coordinates have been updated, they will appear in italics on the web page. You're all done!

Pro Tip!! After you've updated the coordinates, use the "Personal Cache Note" section to write a quick note on how you solved the puzzle. If you ever have a question later, it will be VERY helpful to have this information. Also, add your final coordinates to this section as a backup. Anything you type in the "Personal Cache Note" section can only be viewed by you!

Once you have updated the coordinates on the web page, they will also be updated in the Geocaching app!! So, when you're in the field, you'll be able to navigate directly to the cache!

Now It's Time For YOU to Solve a Puzzle!

This cache is NOT at the posted coordinates (please don't look there-- it's the middle of the street!!).

Begin Puzzle

The coordinates to the cache can be found by solving this puzzle

NORTH (Oregon)(Connecticut)(South Carolina)(.0)(South Carolina)(New Jersey)

WEST (0)(South Carolina)(Georgia)(0)(Pennsylvania)(.)(Arkansas)(Maryland)

End Puzzle

If you don't know where to start, remember to start with what you know! You can reasonably guess that the first two numbers of the North Coordinates will be "33", so look at the puzzle and see if there is any way you can turn "Oregon" into "33"!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!! I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!