The Thrill of the Chase Treasure Hunt and Six Questions with CopperDan

This is the 33rd in a series on Six Questions with Searchers of The Thrill of the Chase Treasure Hunt by Forrest Fenn. Questions are asked and then answered by those who are enjoying Forrest’s dare!  Thanks to all who are participating.  They truly are special!

Read other TTOTC Searcher Questions/Answers

Six Questions with CopperDan:

1)When did you first hear and learn about the Treasure Hunt?

I remember it like it was yesterday. In 2015 I was watching Expedition Unknown with Josh Gates. He was doing an episode titled “Finding Fenn’s Fortune”. After the episode I Googled Forrest Fenn and started reading up. I ordered TTOTC immediately. After the first initial read I came up with some ideas in my head about the treasure being behind a waterfall. Unfortunately, in 2015 life was hectic and I wasn’t in a position to head west to search. TTOTC found a place in a drawer and was forgotten about.

2)What inspired you to become involved and begin searching?

In 2018 we planned a trip to the Yellowstone area. My wife, Frances, and I are copper artists and there was a show in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We decided to turn it into a vacation with my two daughters, Megan and Bryanne. In late June, just one month before our trip, I found my book while looking through a drawer in my closet.

I laughed and flipped through it wondering if it had ever been found. I grabbed my phone and Googled Forrest Fenn once again. To my surprise I read that the treasure was still out there. I also found a book titled TFTW. I orded it up. I took both books with me to our camper over the 4th of July and read them both. Then read TTOTC again and again. I wrote a solve and talked the whole family into setting aside some time of our vacation to treasure hunt. I was hooked.

3)What is your most favorite part about the Treasure Hunt so far?

Growing up in northern Minnesota I’ve had a passion for the outdoors. I love fishing and hunting and almost anything that involves being outside. As a boy I always wanted to go camp in the Rocky Mountains. My family and I would go on many hiking adventures up the north shore of Lake Superior. Finally getting the chance to hike the Rockies was a dream come true. Though we did not find the treasure and quickly learned we were not in shape for 7000 feet of elevation and a 10 mile hike, the time spent hiking Death Canyon with my family is one I’ll never forget.

4)What is your least favorite part about the Treasure Hunt so far?

It is easy to become obsessed over the treasure hunt. I find myself spending hours and hours each day listening to vlogs and reading. I have learned to set aside search time so it doesn’t affect family time. Though, I am able to listen to old Forrest interviews on my headphones while I work, with my wife thinking I’m listening to Metallica.

5)What is the best or most unique thing you found while searching for Forrest Fenn’s treasure chest?

After our Death Canyon hike and a 3 days of recovery we headed north to Yellowstone. I talked the family into an easy hike in search of the chest. We headed to Barnes Hole just inside the west entrance of Yellowstone. It was a considerably easier hike while we searched for the old barn ruins. My wife was the one who actually discovered them. It was an amazing find. I wish I could find a picture of what it looked like back in its days.

6) What more would you like to say?

This past September I had an opportunity to fly down to New Mexico and meet Forrest. We had donated some of our copper art pieces to the Jamie Jordon raffle and I decided to fly down to meet Forrest. Meeting Forrest was exciting. He is a very humble man and he took time to talk with everyone that was there and signed every book. What was equally amazing is meeting the other searchers. I left with many new friends.

I came home from New Mexico inspired. My wife and I created a new piece. We brought into it many elements of the chase. The name was chosen, “Where Warm Waters Halt”. I emailed Forrest making sure that name was ok to use of which he replied no permission was needed. Thank you, Forrest! If you’d like to view or even own the piece that was inspired by the Thrill of the Chase it can be found on Ebay as well as our website.

The chase certainly changed my life. I have a new found respect for the Rocky Mountains. I have new friends. And I now even read, something I never did much of. I have learned so much about so much.

Our website – CopperElements.info

My email – copperdan17@gmail.com

Link to Ebay – WWWH Limited Edition Piece for Sale   

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