Conundrum Oxford Park, Queensland, Australia
By The Four Bears on 27-Feb-04. Waypoint GCHRQ0

Archived.

This has been disabled for almost 18 months now, and I think the time has come to either repair and re-enable it or to finally archive it.

Please write a note with your maintenance plans, or it'll be archived in a week's time.

Found @ 3:25pm

Well, various members of our family have been visiting and revisting the various waypoints and puzzels for this cache on and off for the last 2 years. When we finally did manage to find all the waypoints on one of snowman48's previous trips to AU last we thought we must finally have it. But no! Another uber-puzzel to solve. Doing it by hand proved too error prone and we gave it away for a while. Eventually I persuaded a computer to be smart, or at least careful, on our behalf and the information we needed popped out the other end. Given the collective effort it had been we waited until Snowman48 was out this way again to go and try finish it off at last. It was with a certain trepidation that we approached the last hurdle.... *click* WOO HOO!!

Thanks Four Bears, this cache really keep us going.

Found with snowman48 and little miss.

Rated: for Overall Experience

We finally got this one completed. Mloe, Razza, FSOSK and I have been trying to complete this one for two years. We got all the locations late last year and spent a good amount of a Sunday BBQ trying to decode the last step. Too much good food I fear because our decoding was clearly very wrong. Mloe finally got a sensible answer a few months ago and was kind enough to wait until I was back in the country to give it a go. What a great "click" sound when we finally confirmed we had it right.

The RDMH players would like this cache active again

Went to the first waypoint of Conundrum and their are no more sheets of the codes left.

Sincere apologies for not restocking sooner.

I will get out there next week and stock it back up.

YAHOO! Finally finished this one in the company of the those scurvy dogs the "Pirates". We started this one late Sunday afternoon several weeks ago and found waypoint 1 deciphered this with out too much of a problem but realised there was more to this than met the eye and decided to call it a day . Well the Pirates and the Spuds decided to finish this one off the Following Saturday night found waypoint 2, 3 & 4. Finally 1:00am in the morning we have our hot little hands on the booty only to find there was MORE! With Christmas upon us it has taken us awhile to get back to this one, and today was our lucky day Bingo we did it. Mentally exhausted we signed the log and crossed this one off our list. Thanks for a great hide it has been a lot of laughs (and a few cry's of frustration)

aaaargh!,phew!,this one took us awhile as ye' spuds mentioned in previous log,thanks for a great cache that really fried our last few brain cells!were glad to finally get this off our radar and to make a start on some more of yours.

For a number of the waypoints we took the last sheet in order to get to the final cache. Others will be unable to complete this puzzle until these sheets have been replaced.

This was a mammoth effort. Having picked up the first two parts of this puzzle earlier we set out determined to complete this cache today. We found the third clue but couldn't find a writing implement in our bag. Undeterred (and too stubborn/silly to go home or to the nearest shops to acquire one) we managed to work it all out, filled in the log book and get out just before the gates were locked! Luckily we had plenty of paper and there was an ample supply of charcoal nearby.[:o)]
In: spirit level, tape measure and small yoyo
Out: toy car, yoyo, beak
Thanks for the challenge.

There were plenty of code pages at WP1 but the rest only had 1 page in each

Finally completed this one. Started a couple of months ago. Not expecting the complexity of this cache, we started late one Sunday arvo. Found the first waypoint no probs. It took us a little while to work out how it all worked, then off to WP 2. Spent a good 20 mins looking before realising a transcribe error had us in the wrong place. Too late to continue! Didn’t get back for several weeks and cruised through the rest of the WPs. As there was only 1 code sheet left in each cache we didn’t take any. Much to our demise when we reached the final cache! Not feeling like going back we decided to return another day. Once home I pulled out my ‘Boys Own Bumper Book of Spy Codes’ and together with field notes soon had it cracked.
A great caching experience! Thanks
In: Coca Cola Yo Yo
Out: plug
Retrieved: ‘Access Control’ TB #4 Proximity Card

Dropped off #4 Proximity Card

Dropped of Access #4 TB

Retrieved Access #5 TB

I'm unable to log #4 or #5 at this stage as my notes got soaked today

Dropped off air key 1530hrs

I had been walking around this bushland for the last couple of days and always had the sense that I had been shadowing someone else. Today armed with the final vital information to crack the cache as I walked towards the cache zone I spied someone sitting in the bush trying to look inconspicuous. I circled around so I could approach from the front and uttered a secret code word as I approached.[:o)]

Mrs Happy Harries was at ground zero trying to crack the cache (the long way I must say). I had the vital information, so what could be offered as a trade I thought. Deals struck, I opened the cache. Now off to crack another code.

Oh yes the Conundrum – a very well thought out cache and worthy of the challenge. Be prepared to spend some time on this one, as Mrs HH will verify.

Thanks for the cache to the Four Bears – look forward to doing a few more of your caches.

IN: Stress Ball & Geocoin
Out: Butterfly & TB

ruzzelz



[This entry was edited by ruzzelz on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at 3:24:08 AM.]

[This entry was edited by ruzzelz on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at 3:28:38 AM.]

Conundrum exactly. What an effort. I thought I liked these mentally stimulating caches untill Conundrum.After several visits to collect clues I finally found the cache but it all wasn't over yet another Conundrum to solve to gain access.I managed to get what I thought was close to the answer only to stumble before the finish line.So I devised a cunning plan to cross the finish line. Only to be caught in the act by the Ruzzelz.I was not far off the final code and was pointed thankfully in the right direction. After much frustration I can finally cross this one off the list.Thanks four bears for putting this cache together even though was very frustrating at times when the final cache was revealed it was worth it I THINK.

Very, Very Tricky. Great cache! This was a doozey.
Found with THENANKS

tnlnsl

Oh my goodness! I feel like I've done a hard day at work! [xx(] This is some cache! We had the motivation of the "Access Control" TB to keep us going and we did find it! Not without blood, sweat and tears (not in that order) though.

This is a real challenge of patience and endurance, particularly as a single adult with a 6 and 8 year old for support. Tom likes a chat too and often it was just as I REALLY needed to be concentrating!

We all kept our spirits up and it was worth it in the end. We feel very proud of ourselves.

IN : stickers, pencil case and something else
OUT: #2 DKS Key TB, magnets and a clown thingy

Time for bed!

We couldn't think of a nicer place to revisit when we were considering somewhere to hide the #2 DKS Key.

Well this has been a memorable and record-breaking cache for us ... it took us more than 9 months to get from the first waypoint to the final location!!

Our visit to the first waypoint (some 9 months ago) did not yield any instruction sheet (maintenance problem - now fixed!) ... and being "decoding amateurs" we assumed the bare clues were all that was required! We toiled over it and tortured ourselves all year!!

Last week, with not too many other caches in the Brisbane area to chase we returned to it...to find it was not (quite) as difficult as we thought!!

We really enjoyed the journey with the cache ... and were very pleased to solve the final step & be able to log the cache!

IN: Maths compass set OUT: mini-stapler.
Also picked up the Fire Dept TB.

Thank you Four Bears - a GREAT cache!!

Nearby for a family BBQ today, so I ventured off to the start of this cache - picked up my clues, but will have to save the remainder for another day.

05:58hrs What a fantastic cache. Made an error last night early on and spent 4 hrs in total reaching the goal. The other parts weren't too bad jsut that last one. I have dropped off a TB if nobody picks it up in a month or so I will retireve it and move it on. This has been one of the best caches I have done, it definitely got the grey matter working. Started on Tuesday night and finished on Sunday morning. TFTC. TN left TB.

It's been way, way too long but I finally got around to re-enabling this cache today.

Plenty of new cachers on the Northside these days so should have a bit of life left in the old girl yet.

Enjoy!

Needs restocking.

Enjoyed the search for the first clue, but when we found it, the note inside the cache was soaked due to the recent heavy rain(although the lid appeared to be on tight). When we tried to remove the note, it started to come out in pieces, so we left the rest in there.

The note will have to be replaced for anyone to do this puzzle (which looks like a lot of fun).

Found first cache but no work sheets left. Looking forward to completing this one.

Found at last after starting the cache with Wingaap. Took Where Rabit TB and pencil set. Left deck of cards.
Thanks for the challenge Four Bears

Started this cache a couple of weeks ago
with the Happy Wanderers. They were great
company and it was a real treat for me
to go hunting with fellow cachers.

Many thanks Bears for a great cache. It certainly
provided some exercise and got the old grey cells
tickingover.

Oh Bears...trust you to have a twist at the end!

All waypoints are still in good condition and the cache
is well stocked.

In: Pencil set
Out: Hovercraft

Dropped off Where Rabbit TB

We are a group of 4 teachers wanting to learn more about geocaching in education.

We found the first waypoint but had to take the last code sheet. We couldn't find the 2nd waypoint and was wondering if it has been removed.

Loved the first clue. had us stumped for a while (being a teacher didn't help).

Can you give us a clue for the second waypoint. We had the coordinates but couldn't physically find it.

What a great cache this one was. Kept both the grey matter and the legs exercised. Spent an enjoyable couple of days seeking the final location (Ha Ha Ha)!! Waypoints in good nick and the cache is bulging with goodies. Took space ball and left hovercraft.

Finally got to finish ths one.

Maintenance visit has revealed problem with waypoint #3 (the same one that somebody managed to 'lose' in a tree stump a few months ago).

The top has been jammed on so tightly that I have had to bring it home in an attempt to unjam it. Once that's done I'll have to go back and finish off the other waypoints. Not really what I'd planned for one of my precious days off but that's cache maintenance for you.

Could future caches please make sure they don't jam the tops on too tightly. Just enough to gently close the seal please, not too much pressure or they will be impossible to open.

Had to hacksaw the pipe in half so it's off to Bunnings for more supplies.

Maintenance complete - back in action.

This was our 50th cache (YAY!).

We'd had our eye on Conundrum for a while and were saving it up as something special for our 50th, and we're glad we did. The cache was even better than we'd expected.

We got to the location at 9am this morning with relatives, planning on having a picnic there and doing the cache throughout the day. We were disappointed to find the gates locked... strange considering public holidays are probably the times that people want to visit places like this.

Undeterred we carried all our picnic gear down to the picnic grounds and setup.

Sorties went out through the day and we finally got our name in the log book at around 3.30pm.

The Four Bears ought to be congratulated for creating such a fantastic hunt!

BTW: A number of the waypoints are quite wet. Some of the pages are nearly impossible to read (but only nearly). The first waypoint also has only one sheet left.

Took stamp pad, stickers, compass, stationery set and $2 (we had lots of kids who'd put in a lot of effort!). Put in a pen & keyring, lizard pen, flashing ball, butterfly & car.

Well done to the Garners, a determined effort there!

Thanks for letting me know about the state of some of the waypoints. I'll get out there this week for a maintenance visit.

Actually found this last month, but don't seem to have logged it for some reason.

Thanks for this one, I really enjoyed it, even though it was spread over numerous short visits.

TNLN.

Maintenance visit - cache back in action.

Apparently one of the mini-caches has slipped down and is now inaccessible. Maintenance visit scheduled for this weekend, 2nd October.

Dare I say it ... FINALLY!!!
Found at midday today after revisiting my original paperwork and recognizing a small but fundamental error in deciphering the final code. Much better feeling walking out of the forest this time than on previous visits! Left a rope watch and took the mini tape dispenser.
Thanks for the cache Bears.
Cheers
Simon

Gotcha! (finally)
About 10 minutes after posting my log yesterday, I realized the silly mistake I was making. So this morning I braved the rain and headed out to complete the cache.
Thanks for all the effort put into this cache, it was heaps of fun . Took citronella candle and left mini-stationary set.

Cheers
Citria.

Uuuugghh! This is driving me insane. I managed to get through all of the WP's to the final cache in one session - but do you think I can pick that lock? I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, but give me time .....

thinking...thinking...

WOW! What a cache. We did it over two days as we started late on the first day. Lots of fun, with an interesting theme! We swapped a set of board pins for a scented candle. Very well done Bears! Thanks for the cache. Andrew and Maryan.

Maintenance visit to restock the mini-caches with description sheets. Thanks to Llourd for letting me know they were getting low.

All in good order and loads of goodies still in the final cache.

Go the Bears!! this was by far the most involved and decadent cache hunt we have been on, took us 3 visits!

worth it in the end, well stocked and very emotionally rewarding!

There was only one datasheet left in each cache as we went through the series. New cache seekers may need to copy the details until the Bears can get out there to restock. The recommendation on taking a pen and paper is an absolute necessity.

phase 1 complete - working on the anagram for the 2nd, any chance of getting a hint? 2 words or 3?

We set out late Sunday afternoon but soon discovered that we were running out of daylight hours.

On public holiday Monday, we came back and finished it all off!

What a great adventure! We had so much fun cracking the codes.

We had to revisit some of the waypoints because we did not take the sheets to help us solve the final puzzle.

All in all, what a great sense of achievement and a great way to see the beautiful forest. Thank you Four Bears!

It was too nice a day to let pass without getting out and about, so we decided to tackle this cache along with a picnic. Apart from forgetting the insect repellant, we really enoyed this cache and would rate it right up there with Iniduoh. Adjectives like evil, twisted and cruel may be more appropriate, but when you find yourself being delighted that you are slowly generating a long list of A's, V's, F's & X's, I guess you have to admit to a touch of masochism.
The kids took a mini basketball and a combination lock. We left a couple of golf balls and a pack of playing cards. Also picked up HUO to continue his/her travels.
Thanks 4 Bears for a great hunt.

Hit the wall at WP2. Cruddy satellite reception saw no better than 12m accuracy but I was pretty sure I was close. After an hour of searching and swearing, I decided to come back another time when the birds were more cooperative. Agree with Bmac - the BBQs are just plain weird. (Felt like I was disturbing some kind of ancient tribal picnic site and Indiana Jones was gonna pop up at any time.)

Hey Mr Bear - I resemble that remark of yours!
I think that you just gave me the name for the final mind games cache - A Wild Goose Chase!!!

Congratulations bmac. I'm glad all the ciphers checked out and I didn't 'do a Griffin' (as I believe is the generally accepted term for sending someone on a wild goose chase).

MagicTyger reckoned nobody would get this one before April! Well done.

Dropped off another travel bug as added incentive now that the first finder bonus has been claimed.

Finished this one off today. Arrived a bit after 4 pm. I was getting pretty good at the anagrams by the end! It was a race against the clock at the final waypoint. I set the timer on my phone to 20 mins to solve it and allow enough time to get out before I was locked in. Scraped in with 5 minutes to spare.

Thanks Four Bears for a nice lesson in cryptography! Left a CD of a now-defunct local band in exchange for the first-finders prize. No luck on the scrathy I'm afraid. Mr B has joined Masher TB for my journey onward.

bmac.

The birds above were not kind to me today, my average GPS Accuracy at WP1 was 66m. Leaving it on a stump for 10min allowed it to come down to 12m. At least it narrowed down the area. At 9:55am I found WP1. The next hour and a half was spent with brain cogs twirling, eventually found an answer that gave me three quarters of a clue, a bit of deduction later and I had some co-ords. Off I went (hoping they were right. The area looked promising but after three quarters of an hour searching, I still had not found WP2. Being time restricted, I had to call it a day. Later at home I found the full answer, verifing that my deduction was correct. I'll be back to finish it off.

Ben.

This is a work in progress...
I started out late, only leaving home around 4 pm. Located first WP by going cross-country, then found the track on the way back. Retreated to the car to get away from the mozzies. Took a while to work out the keyword. Then proceeded to WP2, while took ages to find. I was ready to leave (for the sixth time) as light was fading. Walking back to the path I found it. Retrieved the code and returned home, leaving at 6:20 just as the guy was closing the gates. Will return...

The area near WP2 is quite odd with old BBQs in the middle of the bushland!

bmac.

Dropped off Mr B to continue his travels.