Cross the Desert Puzzle.

[poohbear_nc]

I think I've got this one!

Spoiler:

1. Day 1 - he carries 4 days of water 1 day, leaves 2 days of water at Camp 1, and returns to base.
2. Day 2 - same thing - he now has 4 days of water one day's travel distance into the desert.
3. Day 3 - he carries 4 days of water for 2 days, leaves 1 days water there at camp 2, and goes back to his first camp (which has 4 days of water there.)
4. He carries all 4 waters to the second camp (using 1) and picks up the one in camp 2. He now has 4 days worth of water and 4 days of travel left.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

I think I've got this one!

Spoiler:

1. Day 1 - he carries 4 days of water 1 day, leaves 2 days of water at Camp 1, and returns to base.
2. Day 2 - same thing - he now has 4 days of water one day's travel distance into the desert.
3. Day 3 - he carries 4 days of water for 2 days, leaves 1 days water there at camp 2, and goes back to his first camp (which has 4 days of water there.)
4. He carries all 4 waters to the second camp (using 1) and picks up the one in camp 2. He now has 4 days worth of water and 4 days of travel left.

Yes, that works. You've mis-calculated the time taken — your solution should read:

Spoiler:

1. Day 1 - he carries 4 days of water 1 day, leaves 2 days of water at Camp 1, and returns to base.
2. Day 3 - same thing - he now has 4 days of water one day's travel distance into the desert.
3. Day 5 - he carries 4 days of water for 2 days, leaves 1 days water there at camp 2, and goes back to his first camp (which has 4 days of water there.)
4. Day 8 - He carries all 4 waters to the second camp (using 1) and picks up the one in camp 2.
5. Day 9 - He now has 4 days worth of water and 4 days of travel left. He reaches the edge of the desert on the end of day 12.

but apart from the timing description error, everything's fine. Well done.

Spoiler:

But there is a way to get him out of there in less than 12 days....

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Yes, that works. You've mis-calculated the time taken — your solution should read:

Spoiler:

1. Day 1 - he carries 4 days of water 1 day, leaves 2 days of water at Camp 1, and returns to base.
2. Day 3 - same thing - he now has 4 days of water one day's travel distance into the desert.
3. Day 5 - he carries 4 days of water for 2 days, leaves 1 days water there at camp 2, and goes back to his first camp (which has 4 days of water there.)
4. Day 8 - He carries all 4 waters to the second camp (using 1) and picks up the one in camp 2.
5. Day 9 - He now has 4 days worth of water and 4 days of travel left. He reaches the edge of the desert on the end of day 12.

but apart from the timing description error, everything's fine. Well done.

Spoiler:

But there is a way to get him out of there in less than 12 days....

Well - I got so excited at figuring out the HOW - I kinda lost track of the days! But he lived!

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Well - I got so excited at figuring out the HOW - I kinda lost track of the days! But he lived!

(emphasis added)

Unfortunately, I ‘forgot’ to mention that

Spoiler:

The oasis is due to be the site of a nuclear test in 285 hours. There's an observation bunker at the edge of the desert where he'll be safe, but if he uses your scheme he'll be three hours short of the bunker when the bomb goes off and will be killed by the blast*. Can you get him there in time?



*Yes, it's an unfeasibly large nuclear test

[pdurrant]

Several people have been successful in getting our man out of the desert. But no-one's come up with the shortest time yet. If you post a successful answer, I'll let you know whether you've got the shortest time or not (in spoiler tags, of course).

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

(emphasis added)

Unfortunately, I forgot to mention that

Spoiler:

The oasis is due to be the site of a nuclear test in 285 hours. There's an observation bunker at the edge of the desert where he'll be safe, but if he uses your scheme he'll be three hours short of the bunker when the bomb goes off and will be killed by the blast*. Can you get him there in time?



*Yes, it's an unfeasible large nuclear test

Drat! Back to my graph paper! Curses on you, you perspicacious puzzler!
May a camel expectorate on your corn flakes!

[clarknova]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

(emphasis added)

Unfortunately, I forgot to mention that

Spoiler:

The oasis is due to be the site of a nuclear test in 285 hours. There's an observation bunker at the edge of the desert where he'll be safe, but if he uses your scheme he'll be three hours short of the bunker when the bomb goes off and will be killed by the blast*. Can you get him there in time?



*Yes, it's an unfeasible large nuclear test

Jeez! That's just cruel! I know he's just a puzzle man, but this guy has some serious problems. I hope he's smarter than me, and can figure out how to get out of there in time.

[omk3]

Cruel indeed. I still have no bright ideas...

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by omk3

Cruel indeed. I still have no bright ideas...

I refer the honourable gentleman to the clues I gave a short while ago: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...0&postcount=14

NB These two spoiler tagged clues are for those who've solved the puzzle (in that they've found a way to get our hero out of the desert), but are stuck on how to get him out of the there quicker.

[omk3]

I've looked at those already
I had a brief "Ahaaa, sneaky!" moment, but nothing after that. Yet.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by omk3

I've looked at those already
I had a brief "Ahaaa, sneaky!" moment, but nothing after that. Yet.

Another clue to faster travel:

Spoiler:

The second cache of water must be at the two day mark.

Big clue to faster travel. Only look if you're really, really, stuck:

Spoiler:

This does not mean that the first cache must be at the one day mark...

[dreams]

I still have my paper and pencil working on a solution (no crayons this time)... If it takes me much longer, I may have to bring them back out.

[obs20]

Originally Posted by dreams

I still have my paper and pencil working on a solution (no crayons this time)... If it takes me much longer, I may have to bring them back out.

How about finger paints? Of course you need some milk and cookies.

[dreams]

Originally Posted by obs20

How about finger paints? Of course you need some milk and cookies.

Coffee and chocolate!

So far my guy is still alive and traveling.

Although, it looks like all of the rest of you will have your guys out and long gone by the time I get my guy out.

[omk3]

Well my guy is back in, dreams, he wants to try to get out faster this time. I tried to tell him he's being perverse, but he won't listen.