thrill of the chaseI’m so appreciative for this opportunity to ask Forrest Fenn another set of Six Questions.  It comes at a time when an intense compassion, heartfelt effort, and strong determination has been clearly demonstrated by those involved in the Chase. This genuine pulling together and out-pour of emotion radiates a force being felt, by not just searchers, but others across the country. I feel a genuine sense of honor to be part of such an passionate community.

The Thrill of the Chase by Forrest Fenn has challenged readers since its release in the fall of 2010. It offers the choice, an adventurous dare, for anyone to find a million-dollar chest of gold hidden somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. Numerous searchers, who have taken up his dare have realized, however, treasure is found in many more ways than just one.

I think the following Six Questions and Answers provide a chance to reflect, realize a higher respect, and give a perspective on what The Thrill of the Chase truly is. Enjoy!

 

  • 1Q) Our hearts and prayers go out to all those connected to the recent disappearance of a fellow searcher while out on the hunt. The overwhelming support of ‘Fenners’ to bring him home reveals the altruism this group embraces. A powerful, loyal, and admirable community, not only in this time of trial, but at other times too, has been created and realized. Did you ever expect the Thrill of the Chase to develop and bring together such an honorable bunch?

Yes Jenny, because that’s who we are as a people. When times get tough we gather together and help each other. Before Pearl Harbor, when a senior Japanese general was asked what he thought about invading America. He advised against it. He said, “…because there will be a bullet behind every blade of grass.”

 

  • 2Q) Your memoir, The Thrill of the Chase, was released in the fall of 2010, and so it has been over five years since you first offered the choice to get out, explore, enjoy, and find your million-dollar treasure. Numerous people have taken you up on that dare and have experienced adventures of a lifetime. They might not have found your chest of gold, but they have discovered treasures of a different kind. How does knowing this affect you? Is the Chase living up to your original wish for it?

The value of the treasure seems to change with everyone who writes about it, but that doesn’t matter. I feel personally rewarded by knowing that maybe 65,000 people have ventured into the Rocky Mountains looking for the gold and jewels. Nearly all who write me say that the thrills and adventures are more than worth their effort, and many plan to return again.

 

  • 3Q) It seems I ask it every year during these Six Questions, but it is such a curiosity that I have to do so again. Do you feel anyone is getting closer? Do you feel you will get to congratulate the finder of your treasure within the next few years, or do you have a sense it will remain hidden for many more? Can you say?

Searchers speak to me about their search places only in generalities. I don’t know that anyone has been closer to the treasure than about 200’.

 

  • 4Q) You have commented many times your chest of gold is hidden somewhere special to you. That the moment you thought about hiding the chest, you knew right where you were going to conceal it. I’m sure you have other places you consider special. Would you be willing to share some of these, and why you find them so?

No other hiding place was ever seriously considered Jenny. There are places near where I grew up that are dear to me, just like everyone else. If I had it all to do over again the results would be the same, and I can’t think of anything I would change. I feel fortunate that my poem said exactly what I wanted it to say.

 

  • 5Q) Your treasure hunt has inspired people worldwide to discover history, culture and nature, but many people, (even in the US) might be deterred because they don’t live near the Rockies or can’t afford to travel. Should they be deterred? Can a little girl in India, who speaks good English, but only has your poem and a map of the US Rocky Mountains, work out where the treasure is? And would she be confident as she solves each clue, or only confident when she has solved them all?

I wish I had another treasure to hide in the Appalachians. The little girl in India cannot get closer than the first two clues. There are many disabled people who are deeply into maps and geography, and they are having a lot of fun.

 

  • 6Q) The Thrill of the Chase has become part of many people’s lives. People from across the world are searching for your treasure and are determined to not stop searching until it is found. They are fully enjoying the Thrill of the Chase and are in for the long term, if need be. What thoughts, advice, reminders, etc. would you like to most offer them?

I applaud those who are staying in the search, and enjoying what nature has to offer. I will reiterate that the story is real, the chest is where I left it, and it is not in a dangerous place. At age 85 I could go back and get it. But any place can become dangerous for anyone who violates the common sense rules of the chase. Stay out of the mountains in the winter time when it is cold and snow covers the ground.f

 

.

Another intriguing and special set of answers, Forrest. Thank you so much for taking time to provide them. Thank you, also, for the extraordinary opportunity to search for such an incredible and remarkable treasure! It is so fascinating to imagine a chest filled with over a million dollars of Gold waits to be found.

It truly is a Thrilling Chase and Adventure for any who dare themselves to be the one who finds it!

 

Other Six Questions with Forrest Fenn:

Posted Feb 4th, 2015: Six Questions Yet Again with Forrest Fenn

Posted Feb 4th, 2014: Six Questions More with Forrest Fenn

Posted Feb 4th, 2013: Six Questions with Forrest Fenn

 

Other Links to more conversations with Forrest can be found here: The Thrill of the Chase

.

105 Comments

  1. Pingback: Six Questions Yet Again with Forrest Fenn: Always a Treasure! » Mysterious Writings

      1. Hello, Pdenver. It’s great that some light is slowly making it’s way back into the discussions. Of course, what happened to Randy will continue to be on everyone’s minds until he’s found. That’s a given. It’s also a very sad reminder of the dangers of heading out alone…and unprepared…into remote wilderness…in the middle of winter.

        Forrest and Jenny have started the old, rusty and squeaky wheel cogs of my mind to turn once more. Mine could use a heavy coat of WD-40. That’s why I like to check in now and then…so the cogs won’t completely seize up. It’s not exactly “Big Ben” up there…ya know. My wife will tell you ALL about it. She believes that Festivus should be celebrated year round. I swear sometimes she only keeps me around for my feats of strength…and the fact that I love her. 🙂

        https://www.pinterest.com/pin/315040936403331765/

        Thanks again, Jenny and Forrest.

        And the thought crossed my mind, Pdenver …that if you’re there to see dust coming off of “Old Faithful” …I think it’s safe to say…you’d better RUN!

        And here’s WHY:

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS3RA7NdVKE

        JC1117

        1. Hello, JC1117. I agree with you that it is nice to see some light in the discussions. It’s true, Randy will be on our minds and the dangers in which you spoke is a very sad reminder.

          I know what you mean about the wheel cogs in the mind all too well. As for Festivus, I actually had to look that up. You got me laughing again with your sense of humor, JC1117! Thank you!

          As for dusting off “Old Faithful”…I can guarantee I have no worries of getting injured or blowing up. Well…I hope not. 🙂

          pdenver

  5. Thanks Jenny. It is disturbing though. I have sent e-mails giving way more than generalities of where I searched. I gave specifics. Now, I do not know if he ever got any of the e-mails. Even if the specifics were incorrect, they were specifics with pictures and not generalities.

    Kathryn

  6. If someone revealed to me exactly where the treasure is hidden I would not know how to respond, so I wouldn’t. And if I didn’t respond that person might view my silence in the affirmative when it wasn’t meant to be. So it is a no-win situation for either of us. If a searcher thinks they know where the treasure is they should wait until summer, and then go get it. That’s what the thrill of the chase is all about.

    Forrest Fenn

    2. The little girl in India cannot get closer than

      “the first two clues”

      I had noticed the last of each of this the four when I read that, and thought it looked interesting. Within the hour, one of our daughters asked me to pick up a pari of clippers while I was out, and this was the only brand I found.

      http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g396/astree0/Thrill_of_Chase/ToC_ETOS_20160204_193524_zpsmrtigxkt.jpg

      What the blazes … ora coincidence

      astree

  11. Question: How are these questions posed to Forrest? Are they give in a way such that his responses are immediate (such as in-person, by phone), or are they posed in such a way that he has time to think about the answer before responding (e-mail, written, etc.), and if so, is each question posed separately with a minimal amount of time for him to respond (one question at a time in an on-line chat with him taking 10 minutes or so to respond), or is he given something with all the questions and then responds some time later (like a day or two, for example)?

    Debbie

  12. Jenny, that will teach you to ask questions. Now Debbie wants you to fill out a questionnaire. But since she was so nice about it I will answer her questions.
    Jenny asks me all of the questions by email and I answer them usually in the next few minutes. This time I waited about 10 days because I was in a mood related to the search for Randy. Once in a while I tell Jenny I don’t like a question and she changes it. She is easy that way. You just have to like that woman.

    Forrest Fenn

    1. Does she give them all in one e-mail? Sorry, I don’t mean to be a bother. I am just curious as to how much time you generally put into those answers. People that are trying to hide something are better able to continue hiding what they want to hide when they have time to think about the answers (no offense meant by that…you are hiding a lot!) Also, they have more time to be careful about not erring in their statements. (Also, they have more time to be witty about their responses…and I suspect you enjoy that!)

      Debbie

      1. Hi Debbie, no bother. And since Forrest was so generous to answer your first questions (thank you much, dear sir), I’ll answer this one…..

        I send all Six at once and if any adjustments to questions need made, I do them. But all went fine.

        best of luck with the thrill of the chase and all that you seek!

        Jenny

  19. I believe Mr. Fenn has invented a whole new aspect to the Thrill of the Chase that will continue to haunt it for all the years to come:

    The Little Girl From India Problem

    Searcher 1: “I’ve solved the poem. I know exactly where it is!”

    Searcher 2: “Oh? And how exactly did you resolve The Little Girl From India Problem?”

    #TheLittleGirlFromIndiaProblem

    Jeremy P.

    1. it isnt much of a problem in my opinion. Forrest is answering the question that was asked. how far can you get with only the poem and a map of the rockies.

      thats what the question said

      you will need more maps, with more detail. maps for more specific areas. otherwise .. all you can potentially find identified on one large general map of the rockies, is the first couple clues

      “The more detailed maps are most useful if you have the right map, but I’m not sure I needed to tell you that.f”

      Chris Yates

      1. Not saying you are wrong, Chris, but if the proposed solution to #TLGFI is that Fenn meant “one large general map” instead of “a map” that’s simply moving the goalposts, or finding a scale that matches what you’d like it to. I imagine everyone’s solution to #TLGFI will be different, many might match yours, but I do think everyone will have to address it in some fashion.

        Jeremy P.

        1. moving the goalposts? or just finding the right scale? that doesnt make any sense to me. how could anyone find the treasure with a map that doesnt even have the information you would need

          f has already told us we need the right map and we should use a detailed map. that isnt a quote but that meaning is obvious isnt it

          the question was that TLGFI had only a map of the rockies, so inherent in the question already was that TLGFI already lacked the tools needed for any significant progress in a solution

          how could F give a different answer? he would be saying then that all anyone needed was a map of the rockies (besides the poem of course), and that would be false

          Chris Yates

          2. @Chris, according to what you are saying, whatever the “right map” is it shows more than TLGFI’s map of the Rockies. And you are saying that it shows more because it is more detailed. And you are implying that the more detailed map would give TLFGI what she needs to solve more than the first two clues. Is that a fair summary?

            If so, then the TLFGI Problem for you is that you are suggesting that a more detailed map would actually solve more clues, and there’s nothing in either Jenny’s question or Forrest’s answer that says TLFGI *had* a less detailed map. It simply isn’t there. It’s not a real solution to the TLFGI Problem. Forget what I said about scale and goalposts, this is more the “No True Scotsman” issue.

            Jeremy P.

            1. Sorry, I should elaborate.

              Before the TLFGI Problem:

              Searcher: “A map of the Rockies will get you to the treasure location.”

              Then, the TLFGI Problem:

              MW: “A map of the Rockies will not get you past the first two clues.”

              And now:

              Proposed Solution: “A true map of the Rockies will get you to the treasure location.”

              The proposed solution is simply re-categorizing TLFGI’s map as insufficient when there’s no indication that it was.

              Jeremy P.

              1. the question doesnt need to say less detailed.

                the map would be less detailed. it has to be

                you should learn more about maps.

                i dont know if such a map exists where you have the finer detail for all the rocky mountains, but it wouldnt be practical and it would be the size of a warehouse

                Chris Yates

                4. I aim for clarity:

                  I should say it’s not a problem inherent in the chase (not something every solver would encounter). Rather, it’s a problem for many solutions I have seen, and something everyone would want to consider and make sure their own solve is compatible with. If you don’t consider your solve incompatible, good deal.

                  I do think “The Little Girl From India Problem” is humorous, though, and we should make that a thing.

                  Jeremy P.

        2. I agree Jeremy P. The way I see it is, the first 2 clues show up on a map of the US Rocky Mountains, which covers alot of area so it wouldn’t show the same detail a map of Yellowstone or a map of Northern New Mexico or Google Earth would.

          If for instance I hid a treasure somewhere on Canyon Drive in Santa Fe and I put the clues in a poem and the first clue got you to New Mexico, and the 2nd clue got you to Santa Fe, and the 3rd clue got you to Canyon Drive, a map of the USA would only get you to New Mexico and Santa Fe, it would not specifically help you get to Canyon Drive, for that you would have to either physically go to Santa Fe or get the right more detailed map, which would be a map of Santa Fe not a map of the USA.

          So a map of the US Rocky Mountains might detail the first 2 clues but you need the right more detailed map and/or BOTG and/or Google Earth to find the 3rd, 4th, 5th clue etc.

          I wonder what the answer would be if the question was “Can a little girl in India, who speaks good English, and has your poem, TTOTC, TFTW, a map of the US Rocky Mountains, detailed local maps of everywhere in the US Rocky Mountains, Google Earth, and the internet to research geography and geographical history, work out where the treasure is?”

          Perhaps then the answer would be “The little girl in India cannot get closer than the first six clues, or seven clues, or eight clues?”

          Mark in Taos

          1. Mark, very nice post, i agree completely

            on your question, how would F answer it. he said that he wont answer every question. i think that would be one of those

            Jeremy P, so you are acknowledging that you think F answered the question assuming that map of the rockies means google earth. i dont know, that is a big assumption. we can agree to disagree

            Chris Yates

            1. I wouldn’t go that far. I can’t presume to know the mind of Forrest Fenn and what he wanted our takeaway to be. I can confidently say the reverse, that we shouldn’t assume he meant paper maps.

              But, full disclosure: I really just think “The Little Girl From India Problem” is funny, and I want to make that a thing.

              That’s all 🙂

              Jeremy P.

              1. I hear you Jeremy P, but it’s hard for me to read the following words/quotes from Forrest and not think he distinguishes maps (paper) from maps (Google Earth). When he says “Google Earth, and/or a good map” it just sounds to me as if he is talking about 2 different things? I could be wrong, perhaps he likes pleonisms…

                “Excellent research materials are TTOTC, Google Earth, and/or a good map.”

                “The more detailed maps are most useful if you have the right map”

                “there is no substitute for thinking and planning and observing and looking at maps, unless it’s the desire to keep it simple.f”

                Mark in Taos

                1. You’ve got a good point and that’s largely why I can’t presume to know what Forrest Fenn meant. Technically speaking, Google Maps and Google Earth are two separate things. The road maps that make up Google Maps and the imagery that makes up Google Earth are different. Now, does Mr. Fenn think that way? I dunno. Ask an average person on the street and they might think they are the same, so who knows.

                  Jeremy P.

                2. Who knows indeed, Jeremy P.!!

                  “It is fun to arrange words in such a way that you have to smile at the end of a sentence.” f

                  The little girl in India cannot get closer than the first two clues. 🙂
                  ………………………………………………………………………

                  LOL!! Thanks again Forrest & Jenny and Good Luck to All!!

                  locolobo

  22. Thanks Forrest and Jenny.

    Once more the wheels start turning with a lot of stiffness from the “off season”. I even hear people are watching some “bowl” on TV this Sunday instead of studying maps and such. Maybe that will change after word of these six questions spreads. 🙂

    TxTH

  25. Pingback: Weekly Words From Forrest Fenn on The Thrill of the Chase » Mysterious Writings

  26. IMO, Forrest said awhile back some knowledge of geography. To me that implies how the locals changed and reshaped the lands. Like the building of city’s , Fort’s ,water canals,trails like the Santa Fe , the borders of Indian reservations, things like that. History ,but as it relates to locals and how they built,explored and changed the lands.
    He said once that you didn’t need to know about American history,but I took that to mean the USA as a whole,like the pilgrims, or world war one or two.
    I guess it depend’s on how you define geography or should I say how Forest defines it.
    I got this from the dictionary
    ge·og·ra·phy
    noun:the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these, including the distribution of populations and resources, land use, and industries

    To me I feel like he is telling us that were going to need a little more than a map and the poem ,and that maybe people are taking the, map and poem statement to literally.
    The little girl cant find it because all she has is a map and the poem ,but the disabled people who are deeply into maps and geography,are having fun.
    I myself am going with the map’s and geography,and having fun, as the way to go. Including human activity.(local History).
    I just cant make myself believe, that a river with warm water that mixes into the cold water and has Brown Trout, up above a canyon can get you any where other than, down the river. It’s to random,there’s to many of those river’s and streams like that in the Rockies.

    Lisa

  27. Yes, Mr. F. has given us lots to think about and let us know it is still in a non-dangerous place and that an 85 yer old or child could go retrieve it. His special place was and is still his favorite place. One of us one day will figure it out and it will just click and we will walk right to it. All one needs is a good map and the poem!! It is so simple it is complicated. I am ready for it to be solved and before that for someone to find Randy. Lots of love and well wishes to his family and friends… Poor Leo if someone would put him some boots on his paws and take him back to the raft or the car and tell him to go find Daddy then he might just surprise everyone and lead you close to him…. Thanks Jenny and Mr. Fenn for posting today. Where is Mr. Fenn’s weekly words for Friday were they not done for today because of the Six questions? I really look forward to them each week. Are you and Mr. Fenn suspending them for now or for good? Thanks for all you do Jenny!! Still in the Chase See you all in the funny papers… MS GIRL

    MS Girl

  28. Hmmm…I think the little girl in India can’t get any closer than the first two clues because…well she’s just a little girl. She would need assistance. Funny how we all read questions and answers differently. Thanks Jenny and Forrest. Love you guys!

    Ramona

  29. A few have mentioned geography in their posts… here is something that has stuck in my mind and I have trouble wrapping my head around it… Forrest said that the clues in the poem didn’t exist when he was a child but the places they referred to did. He then said that they will likely exist in 100 years but the geography would change before the next millennium. Here’s what I can’t figure out… if the geography were to change then how could the clues in the poem still lead someone to the chest? The only way I see it is that the clues are not based on geography. If they aren’t based on geography then what are they based on? Ugh…. I’m driving myself crazy… lol.

    TimM

  30. I see the questions and answers to 5Q like this…

    Your treasure hunt has inspired people worldwide to discover history, culture and nature, but many people, (even in the US) might be deterred because they don’t live near the Rockies or can’t afford to travel. Should they be deterred?
    Yes, I wish I had another treasure to hide in the Appalachians so they would not be so deterred.

    Can a little girl in India, who speaks good English, but only has your poem and a map of the US Rocky Mountains, work out where the treasure is?
    No, The little girl in India cannot get closer than the first two clues.

    And would she be confident as she solves each clue, or only confident when she has solved them all?
    There are many disabled people who are deeply into maps and geography, and they are having a lot of fun.

    There are many people who have solved the first two clues but did not know it… (paraphrasing 🙂 Or did not “see” as in blind or disabled… She would not be confident because she would not know she solved the first two clues just like the disabled people who did not see they solved the first two clues… they are happy not confident…

    Excellent research materials are TTOTC, Google Earth, and/or a good map.f’

    Spallies

  31. Ramona , you said “if the geography were to change then how could the clues in the poem still lead someone to the chest?”
    Think of it this way .Is the Santa Fe trail going to be here in 100 years? Yellowstone , or the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings. Yes those things may change ,but probably not.
    I think Forrest said they could change before the next millennium,not would change.

    Lisa

  32. My take on the little Indian girl. Q&A 5
    We know that she has the Poem and a map. We also know that the disabled people are having fun with a map and geography.
    I believe what Forrest might be saying here is that,you will get further if you have the Poem as well . He didn’t say that the disable people had the Poem. All they have is a map and some knowledge of geography but they have not gotten any closer to the first two clues.
    The girl can only get as far as the second clue because she has the Poem and a map of the Rocky Mtns but no knowledge of geography to get any further then that.
    So I believe what he really is saying here is you need the Poem and a comprehensive knowledge of geography to be able to solve all the clues …sounds familiar 🙂
    Forrest has given us a hint of what we need to solve the first two clues.The question is…What are the first two clues? WWH,Canyon down? I think not. 🙂

    Onuat

  33. Hey guys! Wow my fist post on a forum. I’ve been thinking about the poem for about two years now and it’s really been fun, so many possibilities. I zone in on certain areas and then I go back up to 50,000 feet and try to look at it fresh again, just to keep open the possibility of another spot. I live in St Louis but consider myself to be more like the India girl due to money and travel. But I still think and search and feel like apart of the chase. Q5 was very interesting to me because I’ve spent countless hours on Wikipedia researching areas as well as detailed travel blogs of hikes, etc. Can I only get the first two clues or is it possible if I’m hungry enough, stumble upon more information then just a map that I could solve it? First and foremost my main source is the poem, but as I think about it, I search information to test out if a location makes sense with what ideas I get from the poem. I want to still be a chaser but yet be confident that when I do invest the money in a trip that I will have a good chance to find it based on all the time I’ve spent thinking about the poem vs not being able to actually search. Also, the first two clues? Is that the first two sentences?

    Rob

  35. Pingback: On the hunt for a $2 million treasure - Page 124

  36. A while back Forrest made the comment

    “It is interesting to know that a great number of people are out there searching. Many are giving serious thought to the clues in my poem, but only a few are in tight focus with a word that is key. The treasure may be discovered sooner than I anticipated.”

    I wonder if he still feels that way.

    Mark J

  38. Pingback: Featured Question with Forrest: Ashton Kutcher? » Mysterious Writings

  39. This gives me hope!! I too have emailed Mr. Fenn a couple times with some hints at where I think it is and received no response…which was concerning. After reading his book and spending over a year reading and re-reading his poem, I almost felt discouraged I didn’t receive a response commending me on my solve. Lol. This spring will be my 3rd time to this same location and each time I have uncovered things in the poem that make it more ingenious, it took a wrong solve to get me on the path to what I believe is the right one. I am more excited than ever to return to the mountains with my brothers and family in the spring, as I did when I was a kid and my dad took us vacationing in Montana. Only time will tell… PS- I love your site 100 times more than Dal’s. 🙂

    Jacob

  41. Hi, this is my first post on any FF/TTOTC blog/site.

    After having only been following this story for about a month now I’ve become a little obsessed (that happens to me on occasion).

    In regards to Q5, I wonder if FF would answer a rephrasing of the question in the future. Something akin to “Can a searcher get to Clue 3 without having boots on the ground, even with the aid of the most detailed map available, digital or otherwise”?

    If the answer to this was “No” then I would be more likely to get out there and search and likely have a blast even without finding the treasure. (I would actually prefer a “No” answer). However, trying to find all the clues online in conjunction with a detailed map, there simply seems to be way too many possibilities for me to ever take the plunge and get out there. Just in the last week I’ve probably come up with 10 areas that I could make around 5 of the clues work, albeit out of sequence.

    Again, this is my first post. Be gentle (meek).

    🙂

    Devinver

    1. Devinver,
      The trick is to get the clues to line up in consecutive order, I think if you can decide on the correct WWWH then everything else will fall into place, with a little persistence. Spend some time and think of the correct order as you see them, everyone is right until proven wrong.
      jl

      JL

      1. JL,

        I get that about the order.

        But I guess up until reading FF’s answer to Q5, I thought most, if not all of the clues except for the Blaze, could be found without being on the ground (i.e. via “…TTOTC, Google Earth, and/or a good map”).

        Btw, just ordered TTOTC the other day. It’s on it’s way 🙂

        Thanks for the response!

        Devinver

    1. How about you explain yourself. Perhaps you are referring to the books. The books were self published and donated to the Collected Works bookstore. Lowest estimate I’ve seen on the treasure is a million dollars. He paid 25,000 dollars for a chest just to put it in. That all came out of his pocket. Where is all the money being made? Besides even if he was making money doesn’t mean he didn’t hide the chest. Thanks Forrest for everything you have done.

      KenInNY

  44. This is a repost from Dal Neitzel blogsite, I’ll say this again over here as I’ve said in the past. There is no way Forrest hid treasure @ 79-80 years old. It’s a story he tells people!
    I think there is a slim possibility he buried 15+ years ago if anyone can find another person saying they’ve seen it on X date I’d like to talk to that person. Please no Forrest lackeys, I want hardcore info. Thanks

    JCM on May 4, 2016 at 8:21 pm said:
    I came across an interesting Podcast tonight by Irene Rawlings. (Dal/Goofy, I do not think this one is on the media coverage page)

    https://player.fm/series/kbco-fm-podcast/forrest-fenn

    Irene did the Podcast in November 2010 right after the TTOTC was released. She reads “Looking for Lewis and Clark” from TTOTC, which makes up most of the Podcast. Before reading this chapter, she makes an interesting comment.

    “I got reacquainted with Forrest a few years ago, and then, when I was down in Santa Fe in July of 2010… we had lunch together and he said he’d hidden a treasure box, a box full of gold, and was just finishing up a book with clues on how to find it.”

    For those who have tried to narrow down the timeframe when f hid the chest, Irene gives us a date that it was before her lunch with f in July 2010. If my math is correct, that puts him at 79 years old when he hid the chest, considering f said he hid it when he was either 79 or 80.

    What I also find interesting is that f tapped her to help with the media relations with the release of TTOTC (https://www.oldsantafetradingco.com/assets/book-previews/thrill-of-the-chase.pdf). She lives in the Denver, CO area and this Podcast was with KBCO-FM, a radio station centered in Boulder, CO (a community that has no lack of money – just the kind of clientele f likes when selling something). I will venture to say that f had intentions from the get-go to push this to a much bigger audience / market that was well outside of Santa Fe and the locals there.

    Gold fever

  45. Hi Mr. Fenn! I have recently become interested in this search! However I am from Kansas and… well let’s just say I am not old enough to really have the resources to even stand a chance in the search. Any chance you could give me a few tips on how to use the resources I have; and any hints which can be added to the poem or about the poem?

    Thank you for your time and any answers sir!

    Logan

    1. FF isn’t going to give out any more hints, other that what we all see in his comments.

      If you’re like me, you probably have trouble coming up with the money to travel. Unlike me, you are young. That’s an advantage! You can sleep in a car, while I’d have some significant problems with my joints from that.

      Like me, there are some planning things you can do. Spend the time going over your ideas. Do lots of research and check out every idea. Prepare your hunt. Make it count. And simply don’t go unless you are real sure and have all the clues figured out.

      If your solve doesn’t completely work, keep working on it. This will take time. That’s actually a good thing because it gives you time to consider more things, more ways to find info, more possible solutions.

      Remember, no one has solved this in 5 years plus. There’s no hurry.
      And also keep in mind that the chance of any one of us finding this treasure is remote at beast. This is possibly a long term journey. So take things easy, and try to work smarter. You’ll be surprised at the things you’ll learn along the way! There’s a special thrill in using your head and knowing you did. It’s a confidence thing. And no amount of money can make you feel better than that, nor make you a better person.

      Give this some time and you’ll see exactly what I mean. Ideas will pop into your head unexpectedly (because of other people’s comments or your own thoughts), research them. With the internet it’s easy these days. Consider “what if’s” all the time. And go there in your info searches.

      This is more than a hunt for gold. It’s a hunt for knowledge, experience, and life. The gold is only the carrot. Unless, of course, you are “the one”. But even if you aren’t, you will be a better person of strength and character than you were before. In a sense this is like a giant classroom in the study of life and the nature of many things. We are all students, as we always are in this world.

      Welcome to Forrest Fenn’s classroom. The curriculum is unique. 🙂

      Buckeye Bob

  46. Thank you for the tips and advice Buckeye and Strawshadow!! See the problem is not only do I not have enough money, but when I said I was a little too young for this, I meant as in only 15 years old. You can see how this can play to my disadvantage a little LOL. Anyways, I just find these things really interesting and figured it wouldn’t hurt to give it a shot. As for staying in shape and learning about nature, I think I have that down. I like to think my job at a horse ranch and living on a farm(and always loving the outdoors in general) helped give me these skills! Thank you again for all of your help in getting me started!

    Logan

  47. Aaah! finally I see what he was saying with Question 5…or I think I do.

    All of those disabled people who love studying maps of terrain and geography searching for the treasure. They would love to be out in the wild exploring…but they can’t, because they are STILL disabled. Now for the girl’s problem.
    She cannot get closer than the first two clues. She also cannot get closer than the first 5 clues. She also cannot get closer than the first clue, or the eighth clue. She cannot get closer than solving all nine clues. Why? Because despite her mental acuity, she is STILL in India!

    Iron Will

  48. Hi All,
    I am clearly in the minority here but here are my feelings, just in case others feel the same.
    I have to be the only one here who thinks TTOC is a horribly written book. Terrible phrasing, a complete lack of appropriate vocabulary and very poor development. Some of the stories are so lacking in detail and development of any kind that they are essentially useless. No doubt all of these stories are significant and important to Forrest but if they are going to be shared with the world, more reference and useful detail must be added. I can’t help believe that if there were no connection to a chest of treasures, Forrest would have trouble giving this book away.
    I do believe, nonetheless, that the treasure is real and has been hidden as he describes. I just think that it was hidden by someone with a narcissistic and arrogant bend and a great deal of trouble writing a quality book. I tried reading it a second time, as recommended, but I just can’t. Wish I could.

    Andy

    1. Where or how did you come up with Neola from his quote? I must admit, I looked up Neola and then used a little imagination and you have me giggling. Do you feel anagrams are allowed? It is an interesting one for alone, as well as, Enola.

      pdenver

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