TTI Treasure Story #3 – The search for the Appalachian Footpath Box in There’s Treasure Inside! Six Questions with James H.
On page 158 of the book, Jon Collins-Black writes: “I hope you will share your stories with one another. Much can be learned through mutual experiences.” What better way to show our appreciation for JCB’s Treasure Hunt than by sharing our stories with each other. Read how you can participate! And join us on the MW Discord or Forum
Thanks James! for sharing your adventures! (I hope your friend is healing – positive vibes and prayers sent)
Treasure Story #3: Six Questions with James:
- 1Q) What Treasure Box were you searching for and what made you choose that box?
We are searching for the AT Box. My younger brother posted on Facebook about this treasure hunt and asked if anyone wanted to help look for any of the boxes. We collaborated on a few things and he decided to look for the Pokémon box in Arkansas because he was closer and I decided to look for the AT because I was closer.
Prior to my brother’s posting, last fall my household purchased camping vehicle for the Summer of 2025 to explore the mountains of NC. Prior to COVID, we were avid hikers and that era kept us home and we were eager to get back out there. This AT Box hunt has become a side quest in our adventures.
- 2Q) Can you share some of the clues that led to that search location? (If not, What are you enjoying most about the hunt?)
Looking at the map, you can’t help but focus on the dashed trail. From what we know those are not always straight forward. So, I started looking at the symbols, and immediately found that they could cross reference about two dozen places along the trail, and ten times that if you expanded your search area of the trail a few miles. To narrow the search, I made the assumption that begin here was the start of the AT and worked up the trail looking for things within a half mile of the trail that matched the symbols in a meaningful way.
My parameters were that they had to be at least a 50% match to dig further. I found an area in along the Noth Carolina and Tennessee border that matched more than 60%. So, I did some digging and decided it needed a personal visit.
- 3Q) Once you were on site, what surprised you most about the area?
I had a friend that regularly works out and is healthy, however; had a brain surgery scheduled the following the week for a brain tumor that had returned, and I invited him and his wife to come with us to distract him the following week’s event. I really enjoyed spending time with my family and friends without worry of the future events that none of us can control.
We visited the local park visitor centers, talked with local park rangers, and hiked some local trails looking for visual clues about the area. The weekend visit checked off a few more items of the map and confirmed that the area needed another longer visit.
What really surprised me was how helpful, informative, and interested the Park Ranger were in this treasure hunt. She immediately pointed me to an area she said the map was suggesting the map was alluding too.
- 4Q) What is the most memorable moment or unique thing found while searching?
This was the first time, other than myself, we have been on a hiking with snow and ice on the trail. So, the slips and falls, were a learning experience. Slip on shoe spikes are a must pack item if we ever do winter hiking again.
- 5Q) You didn’t find the treasure box this trip. Are you still confident in your spot? Why or why not?
We did not find the box. The wilderness is pretty untamed. Plenty of placed to hide and camouflage things. So, even if you are standing on it, you may not know it. I believe we need another trip or two back out there before we decide it may or may not be the spot.
- 6Q) Do you have any advice for someone else looking for treasure or is there something more you would like to say?
Do not look for the boxes for the treasure, wealth or fame. Just as Jon Collins-Black has suggested throughout the book, do for the joy of family and friendship you will find along the way.
