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Countdown Treasure – the hunt for over 25K in Gold is inspiring lots of searchers to get out for a hike! Somewhere in the circle below (and each day it gets SMALLER) is a jar of gold coins sitting in the open off trail. You find it – it is yours. However, that’s not all – you also get an additional cash bounty – currently over $10,000!
You can join for free (shrinking circle and live cam coverage) or become a premium participate to receive daily drone photos (one time $20 fee)! This is exciting!
Join discussions on the MW Discord – has or will the weather – cloudy, sunny, or rain – reveal any clues? We’ll be watching!
A huge thanks to Adam Howell for creating the hunt. I had the pleasure of asking him Six Questions – so let’s learn more about the hunt from Adam himself:
Six Questions with Adam:
- 1Q) Congrats on the launch of the hunt! I remember Project Skydrop – it was a blast watching the circle shrink. What did you enjoy most about that hunt and were you able to go BOTG for the gold?
Yes I was there on day one after reading the amazing Wired article he launched with. I just was so impressed by all the thought that went into the mechanics. You could tell Jason, the creator, was a game designer. And my family and I (though mostly me bugging them about it!) followed it closely and that Friday, the 12th day of the hunt I think it was, my boys and I were getting ready to take a long weekend trip up there to go search a couple of trails and it was found that afternoon!
- 2Q) Other than loving Project Skydrop’s hunt concept – what else inspired you to create your own hunt? What is your main goal for all those involved in Countdown Treasure? Are you planning on hosting another?
Well this might be a weird answer, but I think that in our fractured landscape and corporate controlled internet, this format is something that can really grab people’s attention and get them all working towards the same goal. I wanted to have an easy to use community – something friendlier and simpler than a Discord that normal people would feel comfortable with – and so far that has been such a pleasant surprise.
One of my main goals after the hunt will be trying to find a way to keep the good vibes going in the community. And I’m thinking about it! I think it’s something that could both travel the country well, especially to places that have never had something like it, or something that could be a yearly event in my area.
- 3Q) There have been a number of animals trying to take the gold! Too fun. Are there any other surprises or things not expected happening with the hunt? Are you happy with the weather to date?
Well Wrecky Raccoon knocking the mason jar over on the first night has definitely been the biggest surprise so far! I always loved the fact that the Project Skydrop gold statue sat undisturbed on the ground the entire time. So I wanted to try the same thing with the open mason jar. Didn’t quite work like I thought it would! And yes rain was my wife’s biggest worry and the entire area inside the circle everyday almost has seen nothing but sunny blue skies. Thanks universe!
- 4Q) Is the gold’s location in a place that is legally accessible 24/7?
It is a freely accessible location where you do not have to pay a fee to get at least reasonably close, a short walk, to the trailhead. And while it might be accessible 24/7 I don’t think that matters because no one should be out there at night! Daytime only please. Bears be scary.
- 5Q) Going off trail has some dangers of getting lost. Can you offer any guidance for searchers as to how far is too far? Can you say it is less than 100 feet from a trail? Or is it further?
I actually updated the FAQ just today to clarify just a bit on that:
Public land only – The treasure is hidden on publicly accessible land in the Blue Ridge Mountains, no more than 50 yards off a hiking trail. It won’t be right on the trail (so random hikers won’t stumble on it), and it won’t be in sensitive ecological areas. The spot will be easy to reach — just regular forest floor directly off the trail, as shown in the aerial photos. If the treasure were taller, you could see it from the trail. Please do not trespass while searching.
- 6Q) How far is the treasure from where you park your vehicle? Are searchers hiking less than a mile, more than a mile but less than 2 miles, or is it further?
Lol nice try. It is not a 10+ mile hike is what I’ll say there. That’ll be for next year – Countdown Treasure Extreme Edition. Thanks Jenny!
The Gold Coins: (with additional GROWING cash bounty waiting to be claimed!) Join the adventures – CountdownTreasure.com
