Skip to content

The Enigma Mystery Cache

Hidden : 2/3/2003
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Use a web-based World War 2 German Enigma simulator to decode the cyphertext containing the directions to the cache.

The Enigma

APRNS BDSNE EPIXK MKOPL SXGNB VUXYN RRXSQ GNOOV KANPE PIGHM VOEZW UZOGZ MMSBF YFPNG CGTZF SCORS HARNY JXIJU OSPDU MIGCY MWLXF BFUCZ KODKA HHCPH TNORN FGLTX IXGIT CORFP VUNWQ RJEWM BHBWQ YTFFC

The coded message above was enciphered using an Enigma machine. It contains the directions to the cache and must be deciphered. Of course, the posted coordinates are not those of the cache. A link to the Enigma simulator that was used to encode the message can be found here at www.advanced-ict.info (many of the Enigma simulators out there give different results, this is the one I used).

Before you can decode the message you must first change the Enigma's settings to the same ones used by the person who encoded the message. There are three areas that must be set.

1. You must choose three rotors (settings one to eight).

2. The alphabetical starting position of each rotor(settings A to Z).

3. You must choose the reflector setting.

Using the Enigma Sim: This has been tested with Internet Explorer 5.0. Users of Netscape 4.5 and below may experience problems. When you click on the link you will be taken to a start page that contains some basic instructions. To launch the sim you click on the link entitled 'Click here to launch the Enigma Simulator' near the bottom of that page. Two windows will appear, the Settings window and a window with a picture of the Enigma machine. Choose your settings first and hit the 'Continue' button to lock them in. The Settings window will disappear leaving only the Enigma machine window set to the choices you made. You are now ready to decode.

Using your mouse on the Enigma's bottom row of keys, click a letter of the Cyphertext(CT). If the settings are right, a meaningful Plaintext (PT) letter will appear in a lighted lamp on the top row of keys. Sometimes there is a small delay of a few seconds between when you press the key to until the lamp lights up. Be mindful of decoded double letters. If you pressed the key and the light stayed on, it could mean that there are simply two of the same letters next to each other in the PT.

If you should make a mistake, there is a 'reset' button in the lower right of the Enigma Machine window. It will allow you to choose your settings again and start from scratch.

note: This version of the Enigma does not use a Steckerbrett(plugboard). For more information on how the real Engima machine works you can check out this article on the the Nova Online website. There are generous tips in the hint section.

Good Luck!

Update: 2003-03-16. The posted coordinates have been changed to the location of an access point to the trails that lead close to the cache. The old coords were just an inside-joke anyhow! :-)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

1. Gur nycunorgvp fgnegvat cbvagf bs gur guerr ebgbef pbeebfcbaq jvgu gur svefg guerr yrggref va gur trbpnpuvat anzr bs n ybpny Bggnjn pnpure jub yvxrf pelcgbtencul. (vs lbh ner fghpx, lbh znl jnag gb ybbx ng guvf. Fgvyy fghpx? Gel guvf trbpnpur. 2. Gur ebgbe pubvpr vf frdhragvny (v.r. 5,6,7) naq gur fgnegvat ebgbe pbeebfcbaqf gb gur ahzrevp cbfvgvba bs gur svefg yrggre bs gur trbpnpuvat anzr va pyhr 1. 3. Gur ersyrpgbe frggvat nyfb pbeebfcbaqf gb gur svefg yrggre bs gur trbpnpure'f trbpnpuvat anzr (jub VF guvf thl?). 4. Gurer vf n genvy gung pna or gnxra pybfr gb gur pnpur gung ehaf cnenyyry gb gur arneol erfvqragvny ubhfvat, whfg vafvqr gur gerryvar. Gurer ner n srj ragenaprf gb gur genvy sebz gur erfvqragvny fgerrgf vs lbh pna svaq gurz.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)