the blaze forrest fenn treasure hunt armchair treasure huntThe Thrill of the Chase by Forrest Fenn was published in 2010.  This launched the search for Forrest Fenn’s hidden 1150 AD bronze treasure chest. The chest, filled with gold and other extraordinary artifacts, is secreted somewhere in the mountains north of Santa Fe (New Mexico). More specifically, it is hidden in the Rocky Mountains above 5000 feet and below 10,200, in either New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, or Montana.   If you can find this treasure, it is yours to keep.

How can you find it?  Forrest has offered some advice which we share here (Advice from Forrest Fenn on how to find his treasure), but ultimately, it is by following his poem which is included in The Thrill of the Chase book.

Although MW believes the entire poem is needed to make a confident solution, and none of the stanzas in the poem should be dismissed, MW feels the nine specific clues, said to be in the poem, begin with Where Warm Waters Halt and end with line of The Blaze.

After finding the Blaze or finding the last of the nine clues which act like a Map to the treasure chest, we are told to look quickly down, and our quest is to cease.  Obviously, ‘look quickly down’ are important instructions, but only once the Blaze is found.

So with the above thoughts, we have asked myself, ‘what are some of the things Forrest has said about the Blaze?’  Has he given any indication of what the Blaze is?

Here are the top comments Forrest has said about the Blaze.  You can watch it on video, or read below.

Top Comments on the Blaze:

Q) Mr. Fenn:  In the past when you have said that several people had figured out the first two clues and then went right past the other clues, would you say that they got lucky and just happened to go to the correct starting area, not fully understanding the poem, or would you say that they did indeed solve the first two clues by understanding the poem and clues? C

A)Searchers have routinely revealed where they think the treasure was hidden and walked me through the process that took them on that course. That’s how I know a few have identified the first two clues. Although others were at the starting point I think their arrival was an aberration and they were oblivious to its connection with the poem. Playing a hunch is not worth much in the search and those who start out by looking for the blaze, are wasting their time.f

MW Questions with Forrest (July 2014)

Q) You’ve written an excellent poem that leads us to the location of a fantastic treasure. What do you feel is one of the main reasons it hasn’t been found yet? Thanks so much ~ jenny

A)Most of the searchers are very bright and make intelligent comments, either by email or on the blogs, but there seems to be more attention paid to the blaze than to the first clue. Perhaps that’s why the treasure hasn’t been found.f

MW Questions with Forrest (October 2016)

Q) What Is Blaze?

A)Anything that stands out.

Dal’s Site (Forrest gets mail 13)

Q)Mr. Fenn: How far is the chest located from the blaze? ~ casey

A) Casey, I did not take the measurement, but logic tells me that if you don’t know where the blaze is it really doesn’t matter. If you can find the blaze though, the answer to your question will be obvious. Does that help?f

MW Questions with Forrest (May 2016) 

Q)Mr. Fenn, Which direction does the Blaze face? North, South, East or West? Curious. Foxy

A)I didn’t take a radial off of the blaze Foxy. I’m thinking it may not be any of those directions. f

MW Questions with Forrest (April 2016)

Forrest Answers)

Thanks for the question S&H. I learn something every day from those who are in the treasure hunt.

What surprises me is that so many ignore the first clue in the poem. Without it all the searcher has is the memory of a nice vacation. Although many have tried, I doubt that anyone will find the blaze before they have figured out the first clue. f

MW Questions with Forrest (May 2015)

Forrest has said)

You can’t go out looking for the blaze and expect to find the treasure chest.  There’s 10 billion blazes out there.  So you have to start with the first clue and let it take you to the blaze.

The Lure

Q)Hi Forrest, I would like to know if the blaze can be found during the day without a flashlight. Thanks, Ron

A)Perhaps your question is wrought with trickiness Ron. Are you really asking if the blaze could be in a cave where it is dark during the day, thus the need of a flashlight? If there is no subterfuge intended in your question then I would say yes.f

MW Questions with Forrest (June 2014)

Q)Did you really say the blaze is a white streak, as has been rumored? Thank you. ~Deb

A)Thanks Deb, No, I did not say that. There is a lot of bad information floating around the blogs and many posts that are not well thought out. One person said (I’m paraphrasing) “He said the treasure is hidden in the trees. Then he contradicted himself and said it was in the sun. How could it be both.” Makes me wonder if that person has ever been in the forest.f

MW Questions with Forrest (June 2014)

Q)Is the Blaze one single object? ~ Scout Around

A)In a word – Yes.   I have received a few hundred emails from searchers who are sure they know what the blaze is. Ideas range from a mark on a tree, a rock, a sign, a fire, the side of a bluff, a waterfall, a spot on the head of a horse, a rainbow, and even a live owl that flew away when it was approached.

As a side note: with summer on the close horizon, searchers should review the rules about being safe in the mountains. f

MW Questions with Forrest (May 2014)

Forrest has said)

While it’s not impossible to remove the blaze it isn’t feasible to try, and I am certain it’s still there

Illinoisghost’s  blog

Sometimes maybe hints can be discerned from what he hasn’t said. The following are two questions Forrest chose not to answer:

Q)Can the blaze be pre-determined by the poem or can it only be determined at the search area?- becky

A)Becky, you are a rascal to ask that question and I have been sitting here for about fifteen minutes trying to decide what to say. Well, it has been thirty minutes now and I think I’ll pass on the question. Sorry.f

MW Questions with Forrest (June 2014)

Q)Has anyone seen or mentioned the blaze to you?  ~Stephanie

A)Thanks Stephanie for the questions. I have read them several times very carefully. They appear subtle on the surface but they aren’t. A yes or no to either question would give too much away, so I’ll pass. Sorry, and I’m aware that some searchers will pick me apart for this answer.f

MW Questions with Forrest (June 2014)

So there you have them!

Best of luck with all that you seek!  Treasure the Adventure!

And here is what he has said about Where Warm Waters Halt and the First Clue:

Blog: Forrest Fenn Friday: Questions on the Thrill of the Chase: Where Warm Waters Halt

Video:

72 Comments

    1. In his response to someone asking about the TC being ‘north’ of Santa Fe, Fenn replied that it might not be ‘360’ from Santa Fe. I think he took a pilot’s perspective in responding to Foxy and indicates it may not be facing 90, 180, 270 or 360. But it might be facing 89, 181, 265 or 358. To a navigator, bearings are relevant. Even speaking in full degrees can lead one more and more off course the greater the distance traveled. Foxy only presented Fenn with four out of 360 alternatives, and that’s just in the horizontal plane.

      aardvarkbark

        1. Well, consider that ‘180 degrees is true south’. If he did say that, then SW, SE, SSW, SSE would all be considered N, and that just can’t be the case.

          I believe (now there’s a dangerous term!) that he was asked if the TC was directly N of Santa Fe, or possibly asked what he considered ‘N of Santa Fe’ to be, and he replied that it was anything north of a E-W line running through Santa Fe. That may be the 180 to which you are referring — a line that runs 90 and 270 degrees out of Santa Fe.

          aardvarkbark

            1. mmmm, maybe I’m confusing things. I do believe he has said just that (presuming that your line runs E-W), and not just in this youtube video, but elsewhere. That’s the point I’m trying to make. But that isn’t ‘above 180 degrees’ which you mentioned. On a compass, 180 degrees is due south. Anything above 270 (W) and below 90 (E) would be considered north of the point.

              aardvarkbark

  3. My favorite inconspicuous answer:

    As a side note: with summer on the close horizon, searchers should review the rules about being safe in the mountains. f

    “As a side note” and “in the mountains” as beginning & end of sentence? Mountain side?

    OH!

          2. A Kodak moment – that is if the camera has battery. Good reminder to all: be sure to charge batteries. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been somewhere great and once in a lifetime situation only to discover I have one picture and a flashing battery symbol. Could you imagine finally seeing the chest and . . . seeing a battery warning flashing. Myth, speechless by mouth; but I think the rest of the face and body would give away the amazement.

            Pen Ghost

  7. I wonder if he would change what he said before? Especially Casey’s question. Things aren’t so obvious when you put your feet on the ground, in a new and big place. Everything you’ve studied and readied yourself for quickly goes out the window. Trusting yourself above the noise can be very difficult.

    Thank you for the rehash Jenny. I hope you have a nice weekend.

    Copper

  8. The blaze…

    That’s a tough one. I’ve thought about it for a long time…and I still don’t understand it…and I can’t figure it out for the life of me.

    When I find it…I’m going to bring my phone to take a video…looking quickly down. I think…I mean…I hope. I’ll cross that X…I mean bridge…when I come to it.

    Thanks, Jenny and Forrest for the refresher.

    JC1117

  10. Wellllllllll? The blaze really don’t point in a N,S,E and West direction. It doesn’t sound like a blaze normal definitions as being a white mark on a horse it mark on a tree. You can’t find it in the poem. In a since it only one object.

    With this being said if your blaze is a simple mark on a tree or a white rock that it might not be correct? It appears the blaze is unique as its form and should really stick out than a normal blaze.

    William

  11. If yer trying to nail down that thar blaze, don’t mess with the Captain’s poem, but do answer that dern question. My blimey opinion. And don’t mind me spellin neither. A lack of schoolin don’t mean a bloke ain’t smart. Aye.

    Iceman

      1. Well pdenver, ask John Muir. However, I think I might have gotten this one wrong. The jury is still out, but I think you can ignore my comment. Can you imagine Iceman admitting to a mistake? Hard to believe isn’t it? Shame on me, I think.

        Iceman

      1. Well, it’s not quite that simple. You have to figure out something to know where to “dig”. Although you’d think it would be obvious, Forrest is a master at hiding things.
        The answers are in the book TTOTC, with more hints elsewhere.

        The whole thing is a masterwork, with cool features on the map and some surprising twists that tell a special story.

        Buckeye Bob

        2. It is that simple, just a simple metaphor. As far accuracy is concerned it is not so simple. I do not concern myself with the who, what, where or why Mr. Fenn never said any of that is in his poem.
          All I concern myself with is following the clues in the Poem to the treasure, the rest is probably in that little skinny olive jar. If not then I guess I can always make something up if I feel the need.

          crimsonblazeblog

          2. Here is the tear intricately woven through the poem. https://youtu.be/epCKjaStFu0

            I believe ff stated he originally called indulgence…Tarzan…or more appropriately tar sand. (Athebasca Tar sand). TTOTC “Copperfield” reference = copper mining industry past & present, what a sad, toxic mess.

            There are some true hero’s making a difference for people and our planet (Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Ted Turner, George Clooney, the Gates, Oprah, just to name a few). Perhaps Forrest and others of like mind are hoping to make a lasting impact thru his treasure.

            Stade

        1. IG we seem to run in two concentric overlapping circles, sometimes I think you know what I am thinking before I even think it.
          I have always had this curiosity about you, and would like to ask a question, if you consider it too personal please do not feel obligated to answer. My question is: are you of Russian descendants?

          crimsonblazeblog

      1. Maybe all you really need is a change of Sox’s and shorts. You know you do em both at the same time.
        Do you know how to keep them pesky flies from buzzing around your face? Cut a hole in the seat of your pants.

        Crimsonblaze

  15. ya, Dirty Dogs all lookin for a slice of the pie when they could have four boxes worth. I think the amazing Fenn called that target fixation. But it was a yooge hint at the time now it’s just floating around the google universe lost to the true meaning.

    crimsonblazeblog

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