In the 3rd and 4th caches in this series, I talked about looking for patterns. We're going to work on that a bit more here. Remember: the patterns you're looking for are SOMETHING that will give you the 4 5 needed for north, the 1 2 2 needed for west, and something to give you numbers within 1 or 2 numbers of the minutes.
Using the posted coordinates as an example, below are some different ways they could be represented in puzzles. See if you can figure out the patterns in the codes.
If you have trouble seeing the patterns and getting numbers that match the posted coordinates, I provide hints and an explanation for each example. Decode these using the Decryption Key available at the bottom of cache pages:
It helps to recognize ways to turn numbers into letters, and letters into numbers:
Note: sometimes the numbers used for J thru Z use only the second digit (e.g. 0 for J, 1 for K, 2 for L, ... 6 for Z).
Also Note: If you have, say, 15 "things", they might equate to the 15 numbers you need for coordinates. But if you have a great many more "things", that sometimes means you might be looking for coordinates that are spelled out (e.g. "four five ...").
Example 1:
My daughter went to the zoo and saw these animals:
Dingo, Elephant, Bear, Gorilla, Iguana, Deer, Cheetah, Anteater, Baboon, Badger, Bat, Impala, Eagle, Giraffe, Goat
Hints:
(1) Lbh arrq svsgrra ahzoref sbe gur pbbeqvangrf. Ner gurer svsgrra "guvatf" urer?
(2) Jung pna tvir lbh n cnggrea bs sbhe svir, naq bar gjb gjb.
Explanation: Pbaireg gur svefg yrggre bs rnpu navzny anzr vagb vg'f ahzore rdhvinyrag.
Example 2:
14 6 15 21 18 6 9 22 5 20 23 15 19 5 22 5 14 14 9 14 5 6 15 21 18 20 8 18 5 5
23 15 14 5 20 23 15 20 23 15 20 23 15 14 9 14 5 6 9 22 5 19 5 22 5 14 19 5 22 5 14
Hint: Gurer ner guerr vqragvpny ahzoref va gur jrfg pbbeqf. Vf gurer fbzrguvat gung svgf gung cnggrea va gur frpbaq yvar bs gur chmmyr?
Explanation: Punatr gur ahzoref gb gurve yrggre rdhvinyragf.
Look for anything awkward, unusual, or out of place.
What looks like a mistake may be a deliberate part of the puzzle. (Especially if the puzzle has been out long enough for errors to have been identified and corrected.)
Again, using the posted coordinates as an example, can you find the pattern in the code to give you the 4 5 and 1 2 2 you need.
Example 3:
This cache is daytime available only now. I am so in happiness ... you're solving puzzles!
Hints:
(1) Uzzz - gung'f njxjneqyl jevggra. Vf gurer n ernfba jul?
(2) Lbh arrq svsgrra ahzoref sbe gur pbbeqvangrf. Ner gurer svsgrra "guvatf" urer?
(3) Jung pna tvir lbh n cnggrea bs sbhe svir, naq bar gjb gjb.
Explanation: Pbhag gur ahzore bs yrggref va rnpu jbeq.
So with that in mind, here is the puzzle you must solve to get the coordinates for this cache:
First our usual recommendation: For investigating various elusive tricks, winnow out exceptions; identify genuine hints. These encountered incidents guarantee, hence, to fake out unsuspecting rubes. Ferret out unusual results. One never expects to wrest every nuance that yields. Thankfully, we observe this happy realization: even everyone (zounds!) eventually realizes one solution exists. Victory emerges nevertheless. Feasibility is vexingly elusive; satisfaction is xtraordinary.
Park hours are dawn to dusk. Good luck!
Parking coordinates are available in the checker.
As I said, this is one of a series of "How Do I Solve..." caches. They are spread out in different neighborhoods. It might help to solve them in order, but you don't need to. I tried to make these easy to understand, but if you have any questions about them, please ask.
Here are all the caches in the series. They are also posted in a "How Do I Solve These #@&%$ Puzzle Caches?!!" bookmark list.
This series of #@&%$ Puzzles contains the following caches:
Note for Remote Solvers: You have a chance to earn a “I Solved Those #@&% Puzzles” virtual badge to display proudly on your profile page. After you’ve solved the first 15 puzzles in the series, send me your solutions and I’ll send you the info for the badge.
Local solvers earn a “I Solved and Found Those #@&% Puzzles” Badge after finding the Bonus Graduation cache.
Have fun solving puzzle caches! And remember ...
This cache complies with the geocaching policies for Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) properties. Please respect park hours when caching. (Park hours: 5:00am-10:00pm. Also see "Related Web Page" link near the top of the cache page.)