Welcome Puzzle Runners
So, what is this thing anyway? Puzzle Run is puzzle-oriented geocache car rally. You’ll be going to 10 different locations and collecting a token from each one. Getting there shouldn’t be very hard, but getting the token won’t always be easy.
There will be some geo-caching, so you may want to have an app pre-installed, but it’s not absolutely necessary. For more info on what geo-caching is, how it works, and links to good apps, head over to www.geocaching.com. A easy alternative is simply typing the geo-coordinates into Google Maps. If you haven’t played before, you may want to try it out ahead of time. For example, the coordinates for the Target store parking lot are: N49.888578, W97.198748. If you type those into Google Maps, it will drop a pin for you at that location. If you’re using an Apple device, well... you’re on your own.
Each time you’re given a set of coordinates, go to that location, and look for the "cache". The cache is a QR code that will take you to the next page of instructions. Sometimes it’s in plain sight, sometimes it’s hidden, but it should never be hard to find. Look in the most obvious spot.
We’ll be meeting in the Target store parking lot at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 7th. Hopefully, there will just be a bit of quick organizing and we’ll be underway. I expect it will take 3-4 hours to complete all 10 stations, maybe longer. Regardless of whether you’re finished or not, wherever you are at 4:00, your next location will be your last one. When that last station is complete, please bring back everything that’s there (if you are able). You will save me some trips during the week going to collect stuff. Then, we should all be back to my place, at 1833 Alexander Avenue, by 5 p.m.
About the BBQ, I have spoken to some of you already about salads and desserts. I have picked up meat and buns and other paraphernalia already, so we should be well stocked for the evening. Please bring your own lawn/camping chairs and beverages.
If you want to contribute toward the costs of the event and the BBQ, there will be a contribution box at my place. A small donation (about $5/person) would be appreciated to help defray some of the expense (that, admittedly, got a little out of control). As well, there will be a fair amount of driving, so please share the gas cost with your team’s driver.
Final teams will be announced on Monday, after we know who’s actually coming. You can decide amongst yourselves who will drive and whose car you’ll take.
Obviously, dress for the weather, whatever it may be. We’re going ahead, rain or shine or snow. If you will require sunscreen or bug spray, please bring that, too. Or, you know, just man up...
Rules
There aren’t many, but the few rules we have are important ones:
- Obey all speed limits. If you happen to get a ticket along the way, it is the responsibility of the driver, so know that up front before you agree to drive.
- Get in there. Each team member must retrieve at least one token, or be involved in completing at least one task. You can’t win otherwise.
- Be safe. There is no reason to do anything dangerous to collect a token. If you’re contemplating something dangerous, you should rethink it.
- No Sabotage. You may not sabotage the efforts of the other teams in any way. This includes hiding their tokens or not returning the cache to its proper hiding place. Doing so will disqualify your team, and ruin it for everyone else. Please be nice.
- Take pictures and videos. In some instances, you may be required to provide photo/video evidence that a task was completed. Please take lots of pictures and videos. Instagram them with the hashtag #PuzzleRun2015, but NOT UNTIL we get to back to my place, otherwise you’ll be giving those sneaky other teams way too much information. Please add me (@puzzle_run) if I’m not following you already.
- Play to win. The winners are the first team that texts me a team photo with all 10 tokens.
That’s about it. Contact me with any questions. Otherwise, see you all on Monday!