Justin Posey's Checkpoint

What is Justin Posey’s Checkpoint in the Beyond the Map’s Edge treasure hunt? (Join discussions on the MW Discord)

Justin Posey’s Checkpoint Facts

In MW’s Six Questions with Justin, he said this about the checkpoint:

“My treasure hunt has a built-in checkpoint that will give you that reassuring feeling of “Yes, I’m not completely lost and wasting more precious vacation days on a wild goose chase.” 

On 8/1/25 Justin posted on X:

“Several searchers have solved at least the first two clues. Some people have even been within 200 feet of the checkpoint.”

He has also said the following things about the checkpoint:

  • No one to his uncertain knowledge has reached the checkpoint as of the date 6/21/25
  • The checkpoint will give you zero doubt that you are trending in the right direction.
  • If Justin is aware – he will announce when the checkpoint is reached
  • Justin said there is an ‘excellent chance’ you will find the treasure if you are first to find the checkpoint’. He stated again that the checkpoint is a way for you to know that you are on the right track. There is something you will find along the way that lets you know that.
  • Justin said, “Checkpoint is part of the poem.” (the poem does in effect mention the checkpoint because that is a stage of your journey.)
  • You are at least half through the poem clues when you reach the checkpoint

Checkpoint related Q/A’s from Seekers Summit

  • Q)Is the checkpoint a physical object that can be moved?
  • A)I’ll say that it’s not something you need to worry about.
  • Q)At which stanza does boots on the ground become absolutely required? Meaning no amount of at-home research or mapping can substitute for being physically on site.
  • A)This is a very specifically worded question – one more time. [reads again] Stanza four
  • Q)How many searchers have sent you a photo of the correct checkpoint?
  • A) zero
  • Q) Is the checkpoint location visible in gold and greed?Is the checkpoint location visible in gold and greed?
  • A)No. Not specifically. No.
  • Q) If someone locates the checkpoint, is it still available for others to find or is it something that can be taken and no one else can find?
  • A)Yeah, I’m going to punt on that one.
  • Q) What pep talk would you give to a seeker who is very close to either the checkpoint or the location?
  • A)I feel like I know who asked this question. At the risk of sounding cliché –  the night is darkest before the light. And if you are confident in the location in which you’re searching, I see little reason to stray. Uh, but I suppose it really boils down to how you’ve built that confidence.
  • Q)Is it possible for a searcher who is actively working on the hunt and boots on the ground for their solve to be at the checkpoint location and not recognize it?
  • A) I suppose that depends on how close you are to the checkpoint. I don’t mean to be obtuse. Uh but it is the correct answer.
  • Q) Are the place and the sacred space the same location?
  • A)Not necessarily.
  • Q) Is double arcs on granite bold the clue with the man-made implication?
  • A)Uh, punt.

(NOTE: he didn’t punt on answering if the Hole was – that was a ‘No’)

  • Q)What is closer to the treasure, the checkpoint or where you figure out where the treasure is at?
  • A)Let me take a look at that, [after some thought]The checkpoint is really a necessity in terms of finding the treasure. You’d be hard pressed to get all the way without the without seeing the checkpoint.
  • Q)Is the something we find along the way something you place there or something that was already there?
  • A)both.
  • Q) Justin you said as hope surges clear and bright is the first actionable clue. You haven’t specified, but what is the last actionable clue?
  • A)Let me check.[looks at poem]. I don’t want a copout answer. It does somewhat depend. and depending on your interpretation it’s either stanza four or five.
  • Q)Has the third stanza of the poem been solved?
  • A)Let me take a look. I want to make sure I get this right. Third stanza.[reads stanza]. Part of this stanza has been solved. Yeah. At least part.
  • Q)Is the checkpoint essentially to its core and finitely connected or related to a topographic feature?
  • A) That’s really tricky wording. I’m not quite sure how to answer this. I mean probably the most accurate answer based on how I interpret that question is yes there is some implication there.

Thoughts and Theories on Justin Posey’s Checkpoint

Audiobook Checkpoint Clue

Justin Posey released an audio version of his book Beyond the Map’s Edge. In that version he added a chapter that included the word ‘checkpoint’. It is believed it’s a hint that BOTG (Boots on the Ground) is needed to find the checkpoint. It can not be realized from home. MORE ON AUDIOBOOK CHECKPOINT CLUE

Checkpoint in Poem

Justin has revealed you are at least halfway through the poem clues when you reach the checkpoint. The poem consists of 5 stanzas, 4 lines each. The halfway point in the poem is ‘Her foot of three at twenty degree, return her face to find the place.’

The next line is, ‘Double arcs on granite bold, where secrets of the past still hold.’

For myself, I feel finding ‘double arcs on granite bold’ confirms the checkpoint. This is the ‘something’ you will find along the way. I also feel this is less than one mile from where you parked your car. Justin said you won’t have to hike a long distance to FIGURE OUT where the treasure is at – NOT that you found it.

Assumingly, since Justin said it was walking distance from ‘Walk near waters’ silent flight – Round the bend, past the Hole’ – this too is less than a mile and part of your journey to finding the checkpoint.

Beyond the Map's Edge poem

In the Dillon Q/A Justin did not answer the question: ‘Are the double arcs something that exist or were created?’ (Justin said it was a strange question to answer since he knows what he knows)

After Finding the Checkpoint

From Justin’s Q/A in Dillon, MT – it would seem that after finding the Checkpoint – it’s possible you are no longer searching – but retrieving the treasure.

When asked ‘From where you leave your car to search – is it a mile or less to the treasure container? Justin said the question didn’t work because….“By the time you’re going to get the treasure you’re not searching, you’re retrieving.”

He also said that “once you figure out exactly where the treasure is at you will have sufficient time to plan how you wish to retrieve it.”

These comments lead to the checkpoint being the point where you change from searching to retrieving. The checkpoint would then be less than a mile from where you park – and suggesting once again it will require BOTG to discover it.

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