6/6/2010 - THE ANNUAL POST HUNT REVIEW FOR 2010!
Good evening, everyone!
Well, what can I say? Today's hunt had a mix of eveything, sunny/rainy weather, hard/easy puzzles, a challenging end-game and a great, great crowd!
I really hope that everyone had a great time at the Hunt this year. You help make it what it is, so keep coming, and bring your friends!
I'm getting the review and some initial photos up at the same time. Keep checking back for more!
Now the, ON WITH THE REVIEW!
THANKS!
Let's get our special thanks done first. I believe it's important to thank everyone before going into my critique. Their hard work went into making ths Hunt what it is, and without them, you wouldn't have a Hunt! I would like to thank...
JULIE
GENE
TOM
DAVE
OTIS & BARBARA
AMANDA
KATHRYN
ALL THE HUNT VOLUNTEERS (THEY are the Hunt Glue that keeps it all held together!)
AS WELL AS EVERYONE ELSE WHO PUT ALL THEIR TIME AND EFFORT INTO MAKING THIS A FANTASTIC HUNT!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE D.C. TEAMS
Okay, okay, so Tom tries to throw it in my face that the teams were all local teams that won. Yeah, yeah, true...they deserved it! At the same time, you didn't have as many Florida teams up there this year. Oh, we'll be back...trust me...we'll be back.
THE REVIEW
In my continuing tradition, I offer the following review/thoughts on this year's Hunt:
The Location:
The second year that Freedom Plaza was used for the central Hunt location. I really cant complain; it has all the things that 'scream' D.C. around it...the White House, Washington Monument, the Capitol Building in the distance...it's D.C. at its best!
Overall Hunt difficulty:
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being hardest (2008's Herald Hunt), and 1 being easiest (2004's Herald Hunt), this Hunt seemed to be a pretty good challenge! An ambiguous puzzle (see below) coupled with a somewhat challenging end-game makes me give this a rating of 8 out of 10. Why? Let's dive in below.
The puzzle-by-puzzle analysis (Puzzle names here are mine; I will edit this to match the Post's names when I see them):
The Letters: This was easily the easiest puzzle of the Hunt. Ridiculously easy. Sadly, it was so easy that it threw my team off. We doubted this answer the entire Hunt. We got that the words were, but why were they buried? It had to mean something else...but it didn't. We'll take it for what it was.
The Hunt Bar: Probably the most enjoyable puzzle of the Hunt, a neat offset puzzle that took you from one location to another, with handouts at each place. Easy to solve once you had both pieces. I kind of wish the Bar area actually had some tiki music playing, but that would have confused people, I bet. Second easiest puzzle of the Hunt. You got the answer and you knew it was right.
The Moving Speech: Now we're at the controversial puzzle. Even my team originally got "14" as the answer initially, but thought about it more and changed our answer to the correct answer. However, folks had a very difficult time coming up with the same answer. There were at least two other possible, valid answers that equated to valid clues, and only one was clarified with everyone by being ruled out by the Hunt masters. Folks were upset by this puzzle. This one earns the hardest puzzle designation.
The Comic: Also fairly easy puzzle, once you knew what you needed to do with the comic you were staring at, it pointed you in one direction, which then gave you the exact instructions you needed to solve it.
The Feet: If you paid attention to the Hunt Magazine, you figured out what the feet were referencing fairly quickly and knew were you needed to go next. Just go there, yo ugot your answer.
Endgame: Okay, the end game mechanics allowed everyone to participate in it, which possibly was a mistake, because they didn't have enough printed material for everyone. This also upset some people. My team did fairly well at this, but we got hung up on trying to find a phone number after we had one...and never connected it with the rest of the clues we'd worked hard at gathering all day. Hunt Solving Fail.
HUNT RECOMMENDATIONS
Now let's look at my ongoing recommendations from past Post/Herald Hunts to see how relevant they are...
1) Can the Hunt be held in the spring (February/March time frame)?
2010 Post Hunt Update: It was hot today, before the rain moved in. Can it be moved back to May?
2) Can out-of-towners be banned from winning?
3) Please?
2010 Post Hunt Update: I'm going to change this recommendation to 'Can locals be banned from winning' for next year...
4) Can we have more 'original' content as part of the Hunt special section?
2010 Post Hunt Update: This relates more directly to the Herald Hunt than the Post Hunt. The magazine is published every Sunday with a variety of content, so no complaints here!
5) On a marketing note: I'd love to be able to buy a small poster of Otis Sweat's great work with the Hunt maps!
2010 Post Hunt Update: I still am waiting for this to happen!
6) Do another online puzzle next year, but work a bit more closely with Dave and Tom on it.
2010 Post Hunt Update: This hasn't happened since 2008, and I understand that it's hard to do. At this point, it's likely not needed as people have a good idea what the Hunt is all about now.
WRAPPING THE REVIEW UP
This Hunt was great fun, but not perfect. Puzzles that worked perfectly were the The Feet, The Comic and The Hunt Bar. The others didn't provide clear enough 'aha!' moments that left you thinking that you had the right answer. The end game was fantastic, but really should have involved one of the original clues to help keep the crowds smaller. More material needed to be ready for the onslaught of folks that would come, but they only had 500 to hand out. Some folks got there, but they felt they were being left out from winning. Not a perfect situation. The mix of burning sun and rain also was a pain, too, but that was beyond the control of the Hunt folks. I had a lot of fun and came away feeling like we had a chance, and others did, too. That's what matters!
Remember, everyone, YOU are what make the Hunt successful as well. If you don't come out, there's no Hunt. AND if you don't support the Hunt, it won't continue to be held. When you come to the Hunt, buy a shirt! After the Hunt, write/email a letter to the editor! Keep showing the Post that this is a wonderful family event and that it makes you not only continue to support the Post, but also its sponsors, too. These are keys to keeping the Hunt going, so do that this week! And buy some Papa Johns pizzas using the coupon code on the page of their ad. Help show your support!
Whew...that's all I have for now! Thanks for checking the site out, and remember to KEEP CHECKING BACK AS MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEO WILL BE GOING UP, AS WELL AS FLESHED OUT PUZZLE DESCRIPTIONS!
6/5/2010 - I DAY LEFT! TOMORROW IS THE HUNT! OUT OF TOWNER TIPS!
Good morning everyone! Hope you're ready for tomorrow's Hunt!
YOUR POST HUNT WEATHER UPDATE!
Okay, the weather's looking to be a tad more cooperative, but still be prepared for rain...and the heat! Bring sunblock, too!
Your (un)Official Post Hunt Weather Hour-by-Hour Forecast as of 10:03am this morning:
12:00pm - 88 degrees - 10% chance of rain
1:00pm - 88 degrees - 30% chance of rain
2:00pm - 88 degrees - 30% chance of rain
3:00pm - 88 degrees - 30% chance of rain
4:00pm - 88 degrees - 40% chance of rain
GET PREPARED TODAY FOR THE HUNT! BUY YOUR "BULLDOG" EDITION TODAY!
Even though the Hunt magazine is available online, don't forget to purchase your "Bulldog" edition (first edition) of Sunday's paper today! Your financial support of the Post (and the Herald!) helps keep the Hunt alive!
ANNUAL FROM-TOWNER TIPS
- You can get a really cool Hunt overview here!
- Find the best watering hole you can, hunker down and wait out the Hunt.
- The Post Hunt is being held in Chevy Chase. Head there and wait.
- Due to a clerical error, the Washington Post Magazine is not being published this week (ignore what you see above, I'm just pulling everyone's legs). So pick up a random flyer while you wait in Chevy Chase, it'll have all the info you need!
(My teammates are forbidden from following these tips.)
THE ANNUAL HUNT MEET'N'GREET!
Want to find me at the Hunt? Please do! I make it easy to find me, too. I'll be wearing a white Tropic Hunt Arvhives t-shirt that has a Hunt scorecard on the back. Oh, and I have red hair. Feel free and say 'hi' if you see me...I won't bite!
Come up and say hi!
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE HUNT SPONSORS!
I'd like to take time out now to thank the Hunt sponsors. They help keep the Hunt alive, so show them some thanks for their involvement. Stop by their booths and thank them in person and give them business if you can (Papa Johns will be on site selling pizza!)...that's how they know that their investment in the Hunt was worthwhile for them!
Papa John's Pizza
Sandy Spring Bank
"The Last Airbender"
Hour Eyes
Mix 107.3
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
See you all tomorrow! Don't forget to come to the happy hour afterward!
6/4/2010 - II DAYS TO GO (STILL)! SUPER LARGE UPDATE!
Good evening, everyone!
I've arrived safely in D.C., and now we're in a waiting game for the Hunt to start...but there are some things we should go over!
GET YOUR POST HUNT MAGAZINE NOW!
Get it now! And don't forget...buy a copy or three of the paper, too...every little bit helps towards keeping the Hunt alive!
YOUR POST HUNT WEATHER UPDATE!
I'm hard pressed to admit this...but the weather up here seems to be less predictable than the weather in South Florida. I mean, really...each day it's been a different story, and now it's looking to be "less than ideal" during the Hunt. With that said, here's the semi-official hour-by-hour Hunt weather forecast:
12:00pm - 85 degrees - 10% chance of rain
1:00pm - 86 degrees - 40% chance of rain
2:00pm - 87 degrees - 50% chance of rain
3:00pm - 88 degrees - 60% chance of rain
4:00pm - 88 degrees - 60% chance of rain
Bring your rain gear! Remember, the Hunt is RAIN OR SHINE!
WHAT TO BRING
Here's our recommendations on what you should bring:
- You and your Hunt team
- Cell phone (one per team member is best)
- Notepad
- A vague sense of reality (to weed out the valid from invalid clues)
- Rain gear
- Pen and pencils
- A backpack or some type of bag to carry your stuff around...and keep it dry.
- A hat (Rain/sun, folks, rain/sun!)
- SUNSCREEN! (You're still in South Florida!)
- Money (for getting to/parking/eating/whatever you need to buy during the Hunt...especially Post Hunt t-shirts!)
GETTING TO THE HUNT
The Hunt begins at noon at Freedom Plaza, on Pennsylvania Avenue NW near 14th Street NW in downtown Washington. While there IS parking available in the area, your best bet is likely taking the Metro. The Federal Triangle station is less than two blocks from Freedom Plaza and the Metro Center and McPherson Square stations are each nearby as well.
I WANT YOUR PHOTOS! I WANT YOUR VIDEOS! I WANT YOUR HUNT STORIES!
Got pictures? Got video? Got stories about your Hunt experience? PLEASE email me if you'd like to contribute them to the Archives! I'd be eternally grateful, as well as the other visitors to the site! Because of your help, the archives now has over 1200 items, including pictures, stories, audio AND video! Let's keep it growing!
How else can you help the Archives? IF you are inclined, you can click the donation button below. Choose your own amount...it would be much appreciated!
(Doing so will not increase your chances of winning the Hunt, but may make you feel are warm and fuzzy inside like it does me!)
DON'T FORGET TO USE TWITTER!
All throughout the Hunt I'll be tweeting with personal updates. So will @PostHunt Join everyone else and use the #posthunt hashtag!
PRE-POST HUNT GATHERING SATURDAY: NO GO. :(
Sorry, folks, I really hadn't planned on it this time and couldn't work it in. However, if anyone is doing some sightseeing on Monday...
Check back tomorrow for more, including how to find me!
6/3/2010 - III DAYS UNTIL THE HUNT! SEMI-MEGA UPDATE TIME!
Good evening everyone! We're just three days away from the 2010 Post Hunt and I couldn't be more excited. My trek to our nation's capital is tomorrow, and I need to get packin', so let's start the updates!
PRE-POST HUNT CHAT WAS AWESOME!
Did you miss it yesterday? Go here to read through the questions everyone threw at Gene, Tom and Dave and see their hilarious responses.
CONFUSED OVER THE CELL PHONE REQUIREMENT
According to Tom, Dave and Gene during yesterday's chat, no texting-capable cell phone is required this year. Apparently that's despite what the rules state. Take it for what you will.
GETTING THE HUNT EDITION OF THE SUNDAY MAGAZINE EARLY
Also according to the chat yesterday, the magazine should be available online on Saturday. Also, the early "bulldog" edition of the Sunday paper should be available on Saturday. To top that off, a friend of mine who lives in the area and is a subscriber claims that it may actually come in subscriber's Friday paper delivery, too.
HUNT T-SHIRT INFO!
Shirts will be available for $15. Do your bit to help support the Hunt and buy a shirt!
TWEET, YOU FOOLS!
The Post will have some tweeing from @posthunt during the day, so make sure you follow them! You can also follow me, too, to see how I'm doing. (No, I will not be giving answers or hints out as I solve puzzles, sorry!) Don't forget to use the #posthunt hashtag!
WILL I BE HOLDING A PRE-POST HUNT GATHERING ON SATURDAY?
All I can say is...*maybe*. I have not planned one yet, but I may decide tomorrow to put one together, so keep checking back here for more info!
WEATHER UPDATE!
Your updated (un)Official Post Hunt Weather Forecast for Sunday, June 6th, 2010 is:
High of 80 with a 30% chance of rain
(Seriously, what's with the weird oscillations in temperature each day?! I'll take 80 degrees over 92, though!)
Check back tomorrow for more info including how you can find me at the Hunt!
6/2/2010 - IV DAYS UNTIL THE POST HUNT! PRE-POST HUNT CHAT TODAY AT NOON! TWEET AWAY!
Howdy, everyone!
Don't forget to tune in...er...point y'alls web browser things over here at 12 noon today for a Pre-Post Hunt Chat with Gene Weingarten, Tom Shroder and Dave Barry, the brains of the Hunt! Ask your questions about this year's Hunt, last year's Hunt, any Hunt...even Hunts ketchup and why you should or shouldn't put it in the refrigerator (Dave will love that question)...the chats are always fun, so definitely tune in! Er, login! (For those that can't join for the chat live, you can go there beforehand and submit your questions and then check the transcript later to see if they answered it.)
Speaking of online stuff, when tweeting about the Hunt, don't forget to use the #posthunt hashtag. I'll be tweeting during the Hunt, so follow me if you want to see how dynamically someone can lose win!
Your updated (un)Official Post Hunt Weather Forecast for Sunday, June 6th, 2010 is:
High of 86 with a 30% chance of rain
See you at today's chat!
5/31/2010 - VI DAYS UNTIL THE HUNT! AN INTERESTING RULE NOTATION...
Good evening, everyone!
Hope you're having a great Memorial Day! I would like to send out my own personal thanks to the the men and women of our armed forces for their past, present and future service and sacrifice to keep our fine country strong and free!
Just six days left until the Hunt...and did you notice this little interesting tidbit in the official Hunt rules?
At least one participant on each Post Hunt team should have a cell phone with texting capabilities. Teams that will not have access to such a cell phone should leave a message for The Post at 202-334-7702 by 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 3, 2010 for assistance with an alternate method of participation.
So, if you don't have a text-capable phone, or if you have one but can't use it for texting (for example, your cell phone is a company phone that you shouldn't use for texting), I'd suggest you call in before Thursday!
Your updated (un)Official Post Hunt Weather Forecast for Sunday, June 6th, 2010 is:
High of 92 with a 30% chance of rain
(Starting to sound more like a Herald Hunt at the rate that temp is climbing!)
Don't forget about Gene, Tom and Dave's Hunt chat on Wednesday!
