Treasure Hunters Challenge: Week 8 »
The eighth and final challenge is upon us, and Laird gives us the final instruction with this introduction via phone: "Today we travel to the mouth of the St. Sebastian river, just South of Cape Canaveral. A hurricane struck this area in 1715, leaving 11 Spanish galleons, and their treasure, at its bottom. Only a few of these ships have ever been recovered. Your challenge is to find a gold doubloon from these wrecks. The water is deep and your bottom time is limited, so proceed wisely."
Update: The server was a bit overwhelmed last night, so comments were disabled. It looks like things are lighter now, so I've turned them back on, things are picking up again and all seems to be holding up well for the moment. Hopefully everything will keep running this time. Keep your fingers crossed.
Update: The official online contest is now closed to entry submissions. Good luck to everyone who entered before the deadline! Maybe someone from here will make it to the final 10 (or even win it all). That would be sweet. If you do, be sure and let me know.
This challenge starts on the deck of a boat, but it's not a small boat. In fact, it looks to be the gunmetal gray of a warship, but more than likely it's a research vessel of some kind. Since you're supposed to find treasure on the bottom, then you've got to find a way to get in the water first. What are you waiting for? Get going! Time s a-wasting, and who knows what comes after this.
- Click on the hatch to open it.
- Click on the open hatch to enter the bridge.
- Click on the right console.
- Click on the right lever to activate the buttons.
- Click on the second button to sound the horn.
- Click Go Back to back away from the console.
- Click Go Back to return to the deck.
- Click on the tool box to open it.
- Click on the flashlight to pick it up and again to store it in your backpack.
- Click on the ladder to enter the crew quarters.
- Click on the lockers to approach them.
- Click on the center locker to open it.
- Click on the bag to pick it up and click again to store it in your backpack.
- Click on the goggles to pick them up and click again to store them in your backpack.
- Click Go Back to move away from the lockers.
- Click Go Back to return to the deck of the ship.
- Click the edge of the ship to jump overboard and begin your dive. You'll need to confirm the message about leaving your pack.
- There are three items on the ocean floor - a wallet, a boot and a doubloon.
- Just swim over them to pick them up, but make sure you return to the surface to get a breath now and again when your oxygen is running low.
- If you don't, you'll find yourself back on the deck and you'll have to try again, less anything you picked up along the way.
- If the bottom of the water is black, you forgot the flashlight. Go back and get it.
- Even if you pick things up, return to the deck, then go back in and run out of breath, you'll lose what you're carrying. Keep that in mind.
- Once you're back on the deck, you'll find the bird returns to kick your backpack into the water. Jump back in and get it.
- At this point, it appears you'll want to be using Internet Explorer. Firefox doesn't seem to work right. Perhaps if you clear your cache it will. If you get out of the water and you have the regular backpack, you're out of luck. You should have the net instead, and when you jump in to get your pack the laptop and cell phone should have seaweed on them.
- Once they do, you'll need replacements. Click the door to re-enter the bridge.
- Click on the right console.
- Click on the left lever to activate the left console.
- Click Go Back to back away from the console.
- Click on the left console.
- You'll need to enter a department to charge your purchase.
- The answer is in the wallet you found on the ocean bottom. You did rifle through the contents, didn't you?
- In case you didn't, the department is emergency support. It was on Laird's business card, tucked in the right side. Enter this in the field provided and confirm your purchase.
- Click Go Back to return to the deck.
- A helicopter arrives with your replacement equipment.
- Click the crate to grab it, then again to replace your backpack.
- Search for your new treasure - the Spanish Doubloon - to find out where it may have originated. That's your next destination.
- You may want to make sure you use the in-game laptop. When I used it, the first result turns up an image that looks just like the one I found in the ocean. When I tried to recreate the result outside of the game, I couldn't do it. In any case, the source was likely Mexico City. That's where you want to go.
- Click near the flashlight to start the final puzzle, which is a lot easier than it looks.
- You just need to rotate the outer edge of the image to make it all line up.
- You're done!
That's it for this week, and this is the end of the official challenges.
- Once you place the final piece of the puzzle where it goes on the game table, the fireplace opens to reveal a secret passage. Click it to enter, watch Laird present a short clip introducing the final challenge, and prepare to solve the final puzzle. You'll need a printer (with paper).
- If you can't get the fireplace to open, try Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox. I had problems with IE 6 (actually, my wife did). When she tried my computer, it worked fine. Unfortunately, Firefox had problems with the backpack, as mentioned previously, so IE 7 may be the best bet for this challenge.
- Print out the document (you can print from a PDF or JPG), fold exactly as instructed, cut where instructed through the compass and you'll end up with a five-pointed star.
- As you are told by Laird, the final clue is contained within this star (that you just cut out).
- The symbols you'll want to enter are sun, door, hands, apron, trowel.
- Line the cryptex up exactly using these symbols as the code.
- There are two doors. If yours doesn't work, try the other one.
- The position of the wheels on the cryptex is important. The starting point of the wheels when the puzzle begins is further "down" than they need to be at the end in order to solve the puzzle. Move them "up" to make it work and open the box.
- And yes, the code is within the cutout piece of the final clue. I've done it several times now. Here's a screenshot that is pretty close to what you'll need. It's not exact, because when it is exact, the box opens. But it's really close.
- Use these nine clues to submit your guess on the game board.
What's next? Your guess is as good as mine. Check back for updates. I'll provide them as I get them.
Looking for other challenges? Check out the Treasure Hunters Challenge entry. If you want to discuss the overall game theory, discuss it there please, and leave this for challenge-specific information.
Comments (107)
NOPE, I've tried it again, and nothing!!! I'm thinking maybe I should restart entire challenge, but it doesn't make a lot of sense, right?
Posted by Pedja | August 8, 2006 8:32 AM
Thank you! Well, now what does that mean???
Posted by Michelle | August 8, 2006 8:40 AM
If you restart...you only restart the one room.
Posted by Andy | August 8, 2006 8:46 AM
I know with the code you have to make sure that it is lined up just right - took me four tries. It is the right order, just adjust a little.
Posted by Michelle | August 8, 2006 8:47 AM
The blocks on the desk need to be put in the right way, which makes a map of the National Mall.
Posted by Michelle | August 8, 2006 8:50 AM
Well, I'm still adjusting like crazy, but really nothing is happening, I'll keep trying...
Posted by Pedja | August 8, 2006 8:52 AM
It finally worked...yay!
Posted by David | August 8, 2006 8:56 AM
Arrgghh...
Posted by Michelle | August 8, 2006 9:06 AM
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAH!!! Well guys, as you can guess I GOT IT!!! So once again thank you for the hint, and good luck to everybody, sincerely...
Posted by Pedja | August 8, 2006 9:15 AM
I have finished puzzle 8 but when I go back to the tiles, I no longer have a capital building, I have 2 pieces of the mall that are the same. 2 of my co-workers have the same issue. Is there a glitch?
Posted by Charlie | August 8, 2006 9:17 AM
Great walk through, thanks.
Posted by Webster | August 8, 2006 9:20 AM
When I first enter the deck of the ship the bird is on the tool box and I cant open it. help please
Posted by christy | August 8, 2006 9:21 AM
It took me 3 tries to cut out the star, but once you get it folded properly, cut along the VERY FAINT line running through the "compass". The part you cut out will form a 5-pointed star.
Posted by Jack | August 8, 2006 10:06 AM
Thanks for everyone's help. I managed to solve the final puzzle, but am still working on the location of the treasure.
Posted by Mary | August 8, 2006 11:09 AM
Couple of points...
1) To solve the final puzzle, just move the outer blocks, one at a time, clockwise until the bottom right corner is empty.
2) To line up the cryptex, set the symbols slightly higher than the beginning position.
Posted by Paul | August 8, 2006 11:53 AM
Thanks for the help people. I was stressing out over the star. I am still trying to figure out the spot. Good luck to each and everyone trying to win.
Posted by Sharon | August 8, 2006 11:59 AM
Go to the cabin, click the lever so the switches lite up, press the second from the top to blow the horn and scare the bird.
Posted by Paul | August 8, 2006 12:11 PM
I think they screwed up. I couldn't figure out the cryptex until I decided maybe they mixed up the two doorway looking structures. To clarify, the second symbol does not fall between the sun and the hands on the cryptex.
Posted by Anonymous | August 8, 2006 1:24 PM
Cut throught the compass along a small faint line.
Posted by Anonymous | August 8, 2006 1:37 PM
Hi all. I got the map, but keep getting a really skinny object (I don't want to spoil it). Is this what others are getting?
Posted by River | August 8, 2006 1:42 PM
THANKS for explaining how to cut the star... I GOT IT! BUT... now I can't figure out where the symbols are that I'm supposed to use...
Posted by Larry | August 8, 2006 1:42 PM
So does the box open automatically when the cryptex is correct? Or do you have to click somewhere?
Posted by jb | August 8, 2006 1:50 PM
The box opens automatically when they are positioned correctly.
Posted by Anonymous | August 8, 2006 1:52 PM
Thanx so much, finished it :) Yippie!
Posted by czecm8 | August 8, 2006 1:57 PM
Okay. Finally got it! (Had to fiddle with the symbols for a bit, but finally hit it just right, I guess.)
Now, however, the final word of the 9 clues is not what I was expecting at all. It doesn't even make grammatical sense. I was expecting the word 'display' or 'view' or something similar...but not the word I got.
Maybe I've just lost too many brain cells playing games when I should be studying! ;)
Posted by River | August 8, 2006 2:24 PM
I've finished everything, but now the game won't take my answer for submission! Plus, all the clues on the notebook, except for the last one have disappeared! Why does this game hate me?
Posted by Anonymous | August 8, 2006 2:26 PM
I am still stuck on the National Mall map!!! Talk about feeling stupid!!!
Posted by Anonymous | August 8, 2006 2:48 PM
OMG!!! I just got it!!!
Posted by Samantha | August 8, 2006 3:06 PM
I get as far as the bird knocking my backpack off the ship, but I dont seem to understand about using Internet Explorer?? When I jump back in to retrieve my items it is still my backpack and not the net.
Posted by helen | August 8, 2006 3:07 PM
O.K. The symbols are just about 2 clicks higher then when you first get to the puzzle and the envelopes are all there. It might help you.
Posted by Samantha | August 8, 2006 3:07 PM
I can't get the star to work. I don't get how you're supposed to fold it. Why couldn't the instructions be simple not crazy?
Posted by Anonymous | August 8, 2006 3:12 PM
Seriously, what the crap this star thing sucks! I still cannot get it!
Posted by Jamie | August 8, 2006 3:14 PM
Who needs a printer, (mine was broken) I went to the PDF so I could see it better, and just put in a cut out star from
how to make a star, and just looked at it with the Treasure Hunters photo and took the symbols within the star I cut out and put them in order top to bottom. Only mistake I made was that I had the wrong door, as there are two different ones. I opened the box and was so excited.
Posted by Shar/Charlie | August 8, 2006 3:20 PM
Thanks for the tip to align the cryptex symbols slightly higher than where they originate. I did that and completed the challenge. Thanks to everyone for all their help!!!!
Posted by Mary | August 8, 2006 3:29 PM
Lord.. I did this last night and never even opened the tool box! Tried scaring the stupid bird but never got the horn to sound... anyhoo, i just went down there without the flashlight (didn't know it was there until today) and swam around on the bottom til I found the doubloon.
Posted by tishy | August 8, 2006 3:30 PM
Thank you for all the hints. Good luck winning! Wish I was old enough to win.
Posted by Anonymous | August 8, 2006 3:32 PM
You are to cut a straight line along a very faint line that runs through the compass...and then you should end up with a star after you unfold. Here is an example.
Posted by Anonymous | August 8, 2006 3:58 PM
I finally got the cryptex working. You need to move each wheel up to the symbol and then move on to the next and do the same. At the end, it will automatically open up.
Posted by kevin | August 8, 2006 4:02 PM
It is right in front of you...just read the posts!!!
Posted by Anonymous | August 8, 2006 4:36 PM
I think people are not posting answers to the desk puzzle because once you solve it I dont think you can look back on it.... I could be wrong :(
Posted by Anonymous | August 8, 2006 4:38 PM
OK, so got the box open finally!
Posted by Paul | August 8, 2006 4:40 PM
Couple of quick comments...first kudos to Chad's blog the clues and hints I'm sure were a help to everyone throughout the challenges...I was stuck for about twenty minutes listening to that damn player piano before reading the post to let the song finish playing!!!
The national mall game board puzzle can be a bit of pain, but to help you I would suggest having a google map of Washington DC on another browser screen and know that the pieces will have the White House at the top, the Capitol building on the right and the Tidal Basin on the Left.
Once you've place the Tidal Basin, White House, and Capitol pieces the rest should be easy if you look at the map.
Good Luck All!!!
Posted by Michael | August 8, 2006 4:49 PM
The helicopter came for me after I found the wallet in the ocean and the bird dropped my bag into the ocean. I used the "Emergency Support" by entering it into the left computer in the ship and then they brough me a new phone and computer...
Posted by ~Lauren~ | August 8, 2006 5:16 PM
Well, if I could get to the room I might have a few suggestions, but seeing as my puzzle pieces don't want to open the secret room for me, I got nothing.
Posted by Cheri | August 8, 2006 5:24 PM
Use the symbols in the middle of the star, not out in the points. None of the symbols repeat.
Posted by Anonymous | August 8, 2006 6:18 PM
I put the pieces together, but the door doesn't open. How do I get the door to open. Please Help.
Posted by Megan | August 8, 2006 6:44 PM
I can't get the symbols to line up on cryptex!!!! What's the trick?????
Posted by tina | August 8, 2006 6:48 PM
Okay, after reading all of the comments again and taking a very long break - I used the same code I have been trying and finally got the wheels to line up! Thanks for your help!
Posted by karla | August 8, 2006 6:57 PM
Got it - thanks everyone!
Posted by Eve | August 8, 2006 7:08 PM
Move all your symbol up about 1/2 inch, once you line up the last piece the box should pop open by itself.
Posted by topp | August 8, 2006 8:11 PM
Brenna, the fireplace should open automatically. Maybe restart?
Posted by Tina | August 8, 2006 8:56 PM
Good luck all with your guesses.....let's hope someone from here is a winner!
Posted by svecia | August 8, 2006 9:09 PM
I finally got the cryptex box to open and I missed the contest deadline by 5 minutes. How dumb do I feel?!
Posted by Mare | August 8, 2006 9:14 PM
I didn't get to post my final answer either. Shall we all meet back here to see if any of us had it right?
Posted by bfree | August 8, 2006 9:21 PM
I just read in the offical rules...the final guess was due at 8:59 EST tonight...so if you haven't guessed yet, you're out of luck!
Posted by svecia | August 8, 2006 9:23 PM
Dang I was too late missed the dead line...Good luck to all who got in.
Posted by James | August 8, 2006 10:18 PM
Thanks for this fantastic blog that made the game more fun!!
Kudos to all!!
Posted by brokerman | August 8, 2006 10:34 PM
Thanks for all the help! I have sat for hours trying to line up the stupid cryptex. I finally read some of the comments above. For those of your having problems, the door on the star is not the same door you want to use on the cryptex. There are two doors on the cryptex, make sure you use the right one.
Posted by Tony Tompkins | August 8, 2006 11:50 PM
A couple of weeks ago there was a posting that the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner was at the Smithsonian.
Posted by Jim | August 8, 2006 11:51 PM
I agree with Jane. The flag that inspired the "Star Spangled Banner" is on display for free in the Smithsonian Museum in the National Museum of American History.
Posted by Melody Manwaring | August 8, 2006 11:55 PM
Does anyone know how to get into the box. I have tried and tried using different orders, but can't open it.
Posted by Will | August 9, 2006 12:48 AM
I didn't think to switch computers until too late so I could never get the puzzle of the Mall to work. Now that I got the final clue tho, I think it's the Montauk Point Lighthouse. Oh well, it was fun to play at least!
Posted by J. T. Williams | August 9, 2006 2:06 AM
Yep I missed it too...did not realize the game ended so quickly. Not fair :(
Posted by Lauren | August 9, 2006 2:34 AM
I think the 10 finalists will meet at the Lincoln Memorial for the final treasure hunt which will be held in the National Mall. Just a guess.
Posted by Kyle | August 9, 2006 2:49 AM
After folding the paper, and cutting out the star. What am I looking for on the cut out pieces of the star? I see letters on some, but not enough to make out anything?
Posted by Mark | August 9, 2006 11:05 AM
I missed the deadline as well.
Posted by Theresa | August 9, 2006 1:43 PM
It is all over, I can't get it, I know the game is over but why can't I finish?
Posted by Cyn | August 9, 2006 2:46 PM
I got it.
Posted by Cyn | August 9, 2006 2:53 PM
OK, it's over, but, what is the secret to the cryptex? Folks have mentioned a wheel and lining things up, what exactly were they doing?
Posted by Anonymous | August 9, 2006 3:22 PM
What is the code on the cryptex? I know the game is over but I would really like to finish this thing.
Posted by Steve | August 9, 2006 3:26 PM
My husband came with answer to all the clues, this morning of course. The Statue of Liberty. Go back and look at them all and you can tie them all to her.
Posted by Laura | August 9, 2006 4:45 PM
I have tried the symbols in the order listed - sun, door, hands, apron, trowel and get nothing. Is this the right order?
Posted by Ruth Ruther | August 9, 2006 6:09 PM
What is the order of the symbols and answer?
Posted by Lynn Knox | August 9, 2006 9:51 PM
I kind of thought that the treasure might by at Fort McHenry where Francis Scott Key wrote the Nat'l Anthem but it definately has something to do with the flag and the Star Spangled Banner, the clue about the old drinking song gives that away. The Nat'l Mall though must have something to play in it and someone else said Nat'l Archives where the original flag is kept. That is probably a better guess.
Posted by Nathan Jelken | August 9, 2006 10:48 PM
The flag is actually with the Smithsonian and they are in the process of restoring it. They have been working on it since 1999. I've actually seen it at the Smithsonian prior to the start. I posted a comment yesterday that if it is in Baltimore it possibly may be at the Star Spangled Banner Flag House where the original receipt from Mary Pickersgill for the flag that she constructed at her home in 1813. The house is her house.
Posted by bfree | August 9, 2006 11:38 PM
To get the bird off the box, honk the horn.
Posted by DJ | August 10, 2006 12:31 AM
OK, obviously the game is over but it is killing me.. I can't get the cryptex! Can someone please tell me what it is?
Posted by barb | August 10, 2006 12:52 AM
Your explaining power rules!!! It finally worked!!
Posted by Ben Bicais | August 10, 2006 3:10 AM
My problem is, I don't even know if I have the correct combination, so all the correcting in the world will not help.
Posted by joseph | August 10, 2006 11:52 AM
The combination is set up a little higher than as it comes up on your screen, (keep that in mind).
First is the sun, then the door (there are two doors on the dial), then the hands, the apron and last the trowel. It'll pop open.
Posted by Chris R | August 10, 2006 1:16 PM
Good lord! I am SO SO pleased that this challenge is over. I did it, but I had no opportunity to submit a final answer...so $200K...flew away (with the bird) in show 8.
Posted by c the fox | August 10, 2006 1:31 PM
I'm back just to say that this message board was absolutely a blessing in disquise - the puzzles were really fun (well and very frustrating).
I didn't find this site until the 5th episode...so before that it was all me, then 6th thru the 8th...forget about it...I cheated like a overpaid sportstar!
Cheers.
Posted by c the fox | August 10, 2006 1:38 PM
I am working on Week 8 challenge and have cleaned my cache and am using Microsoft Internet Explorer and have restarted the game 3 times, yet when I jump in after the backpack, it is always the regular backpack. Any idea how I can get through this??
Posted by Susan | August 10, 2006 2:15 PM
I can't figure out the puzzle. Can anyone help?
Posted by john | August 10, 2006 2:28 PM
So John, where are you in your quest for a solution?
How far back do you need help from? This site tells you ALL you really need to know, step by step...a little brain power IS required...so....get busy!
Posted by Anonymous | August 10, 2006 2:39 PM
I'm sooooo glad I submitted a guess last week. Coming in yesterday was a shoock as I saw that it was closed. My guess was based upon what the puzzle peices came into the shape of. And as far as I can see, that is the only thing I can figure. And we do have a great American treasure there.
Posted by Jennifer | August 10, 2006 4:59 PM
I think the final answer is Independence Hall in Philadelphia where the Liberty Bell is kept. The last show $10,000 answer was Philadelphia.
Posted by Robert | August 10, 2006 8:16 PM
I can't get the cryptex lined up!!! SOMEBODY HELP PLEASE!!!
Posted by George | August 11, 2006 1:14 AM
Just wanted to say a sincere thanks for all your help over the last few weeks. I stumbled upon you guys around week 3, as I was pulling out my hair trying to figure out the puzzle...Certainly, I have a ways to go to compete with the Big Dogs, but I appreciate being able to sit on the porch with you...
Posted by Renee | August 11, 2006 2:55 PM
Hello, I need help. I completed the 8 challenges and put the puzzle together but nothing happened. I tried downloading IE7 and then put the puzzle back together but still nothing happened. What should I do?
Posted by Bart | August 11, 2006 3:30 PM
Chad, thanks to you, I finished this game. I had to start over every once in a while because my icon for the puzzle I had just completed was either the clock, or the puzzle piece was identical to another. Finally got the map, but couldn't make out the directions very well...Thanks so much! Can't wait til the next one.
Posted by Jennifer | August 14, 2006 11:17 AM
Thanks so much for all the help! I hate to start something and not be able to finish it (even though I had to rely on you)!
Posted by kim | August 14, 2006 8:58 PM
What is the code for the cryptex in the fireplace? When I cut the star there isn't anything that stands out to try for a code?
Posted by Stacey | August 14, 2006 10:17 PM