Triangulations?

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:24 am

I've found a couple puzzle listings that require the solver to do triangulations or confluences based on other cache listings. I understand the basic concept in theory, but am struggling to figure out how to determine coordinates this way.

Sure, I could take the old compass and a paper map, but that's still pretty hit or miss. I know there must be some trick. Enlighten me, please!

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:30 am

If it's S|S's, it does not work .....

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:18 am

Nope, these are in Rochester MN.

WGA Member Joined: 2007-11-26 Posts: 3260

I use ExpertGPS for this. If you have ExpertGPS but don't know how to do it, let me know. If you don't have it, I'm not sure how I would get it done.

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:50 pm

Hmmm, I just looked at that program and am asking myself...how much more money do I really want to throw at this hobby?

I guess there's always the option of just skipping those caches. They appealed the the structural engineer's grand-daughter, but I don't think I got enough of those brain cells myself!

WGA Member Joined: 2007-11-26 Posts: 3260

Trekkin' and Birdin' wrote:

Hmmm, I just looked at that program and am asking myself...how much more money do I really want to throw at this hobby?

I guess there's always the option of just skipping those caches. They appealed the the structural engineer's grand-daughter, but I don't think I got enough of those brain cells myself!

It's paid for itself! Well, not really but it sure comes in handy. I've used it to solve triangulation puzzles in the field just having the laptop along. It makes quick work of it, either by projection based on bearing and distance or by projecting proximity circles to see where multipe circles intersect.

It also comes in handy for things like checking on proximity to existing waypoints, not that I can think of a reason why you might need to do that. Twisted Evil

The biggest drawbacks are cost and the fact that the sat maps seem to be getting old. But we use it at least weekly.

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:32 pm

What's FizzyCalc?

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:38 pm

I looked at it and I guess it figures some stuff out, but I couldn't figure out how it would work to get me coordinates based on the listed caches.

Ignore, ignore, ignore. I can do this!

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:49 pm

I've plotted lines on a map before. But not 7000 miles! Still, probably would get you a very good area to hunt in.

Which caches are you looking at?

WGA Member Joined: 2007-11-26 Posts: 3260

Trekkin' and Birdin' wrote:

Nope, these are in Rochester MN.

If this is the one I'm thinking of, I solved it in less than 5 minutes using ExpertGPS while humming "I walk the line."

Actually, you only need to "biangulate" because of the GC proximity-to-dummy-coordinate rule, but triangulation makes you extra sure.

We have a puzzle cache like this, that can be solved exactly the same way. Right Marc? Here's how:

Zoom way in on the intersection area and drop a waypoint. The accuracy will be within a reasonably small search distance.

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 5:51 pm

Yup! I'm looking at it out my window.........

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:33 pm

every time i read the subject of this thread it comes out strangulation...

Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:35 am

It's also quite simple to do mathematically. Let's say you have the location of 3 caches and need to use them to triangulate the location of a fourth.

Covert your cords to decimal minutes and then apply the following:

Cache A [N˚W˚/3] + Cache B [N˚W˚/3] + Cache C [N˚W˚/3] = Cache D N˚W˚

It's that easy, really!

Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 7:21 am

Alex, thanks, that I can probably do!

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:37 pm

Trekkin' and Birdin' wrote:

Alex, thanks, that I can probably do!

Just remember that the final location of the one of which I speak has moved...