This cache has been updated and relocated as the previous location was renovated.
This is a Mystery Cache, placed as part of a series of cipher caches. These caches are done in an effort to teach me, and any others, various techniques of cipher encryption and how to solve them. It is not meant to be difficult, as the name of the type of cipher technique is provided, with a brief description and example .
This cache is an example of a Rail Fence Cipher. It is a form of transposition cipher – meaning the code is using the correct letters, they are just scrambled up. The technique used to scramble the letters, is called Rail Fence Cipher. This is because the letters go diagonally down and up resembling a wooden split rail fence.
Example: The message “Signal the Frog” scrambled using a 3 Rail Fence Cipher Technique :-
Technique :-
The encoded message is made by taking the letters horizontally across each rail of the fence from left to right, and proceeding through the rails from the top of the "fence" to the bottom. Thus giving the encoded message:
SAEG INLHFO GTR
Using the same message Signal the Frog, but using a 4 Rail Fence and the same technique:-
technique:-
the encoded message:-
STGI LHOG AERNF
The decoder usually knows the number of rails that the encoder uses to encrypt the message. However, even without knowing, the decoder can use trial & error (ie Brute Force) to try various number of rails until a message emerges.
Decryption of a Rail Fence Cipher
In order to decrypt (unscramble) an encoded message, take the total number of letters in the message, and try organizing them on a split rail fence, if need be, trying a variety number of rails, until you get a message that makes sense.
Example: Take the following encoded message:
GANF ECCIGS UOHIN
To decode (unscramble) this message (contains 15 letters), first draw a split rail fence , and place 15 spaces where the letters could go:
Using a 3 rail fence, gives you a potential for 4 letters on the top rail, 7 letters on the middle rail, and 4 letters on the bottom rail.
Take the first 4 letters of the code and put them across the first rail of the fence:-
Take the next 7 letters and put them on the middle rail of the fence:-
Lastly take the remaining 4 letters and put them on the bottom rail of the fence:-
“Geocaching is fun”.
Now its your turn, to try the Rail Fence Cipher Technique out. In order to solve for the coordinates of this cache , you will need to decipher the following message:
ETRERIS IHFU TREHEEGTI GOHTEHX
Once you have solved the puzzle, insert the answer sequentially into the following:-
N 53 30 . A B C W 113 38 . D E F
to locate the final coordinates of this puzzle cache.
Good Luck & Have Fun!! .
Have Fun!!