The SUMS Puzzle Hunt is afoot!

Each year the Sydney University School of Mathematics and Statistics puts on a puzzle hunt, and the 2014 edition has just started today. The puzzles have varying levels of difficulty (although most are fiendishly difficult!), but one striking characteristic is that they're always presented without specific instructions - a lot of the time you'll simply be presented with a graphic, a collection of words, or sometimes even a sound file and that's all you've got to go on to start the puzzle. The designer provides enough of a pathway for players to solve the puzzle without breaking the minimalistic feel. It's an interesting approach to puzzle design, and I love it. I've been competing with a group of workmates for the last few years, and although you'll need a good dedicated team with a lot of spare time to do well, it's still a fun event to try out even if you're running solo. Don't despair if you get stuck, as hints are released on subsequent days for each puzzle.

So check out the first batch of puzzles, as well as the puzzle solving tips that they provide if you're attempting these for the first time. I'd also highly recommend the other major puzzle hunts in Australia, which are the MUMS puzzle hunt and the CISRA puzzle hunt. If you're a seasoned puzzle hunter, or an enthusiastic novice, drop a comment below!

Happy hunting!