Episode Details

Around 2010, Forrest Fenn hid a multimillion-dollar treasure in the Rocky Mountains.

Gold, gems, and other precious items are packed in a portable 12th-century bronze chest.

Nearly half a million people have searched for it in vain. 

A couple of weeks ago, I spoke two hours with one of the foremost experts on Forrest Fenn's treasure, Dal Nietzel. It was a fascinating and fun conversation. 

That's right. Around June 6, 2020, Forrest Fenn said the chase is over.

Therefore, this podcast is divided into two parts. 

The first part, which is 90% of the podcast, was recorded a couple of weeks ago before the treasure had been found.

The second part is an addendum, where I interviewed Dal again to capture his thoughts now that the treasure hunt is over.  

We don't know where the treasure was found yet. Therefore, just to be able to say "I told you so," I will list the places I had planned to search. And I will ask Dal the same question. This exercise will either make us feel good (that we were wrong) or make us feel bad (that we would have found it had we not delayed our search). 

1. In 60 seconds, tell us the story behind Fenn’s Treasure.


2. In 60 seconds, what do you say to those who say that “there is no treasure” because either (a) it’s already been found or (b) it never was there in the first place? 


3. What’s one of the funniest/absurd solves you have ever heard? For instance, on the roof of the visitor center by Old Faithful.


4. Most treasure hunters are information takers. Why are you an information giver?


5. For a decade, nearly half a million people have searched in vain for the treasure. Do you think it will be found this century? How about this decade? How about this year or next?


6. Fenn gave an unsatisfying answer when he was asked about the legal ramifications of finding his treasure. What’s your opinion?


7. To find the treasure, you have to have one or more of these qualities: intelligence, persistence, or luck. Given all the people who have searched, it’s remarkable that nobody has found it. What’s the percentage chance that someone finds it and doesn’t announce it in some fashion?


8. Fenn believes that the person who will find the treasure will walk with resolve and certainty. But many times people stumble on treasures or dead bodies by accident. What do you think?


9. I imagine that most times, you approach your solves with some skepticism. But a few times, you probably went somewhere with 95%+ confidence that you were walking to the treasure, exactly as Fenn said the treasure finder would walk. Where were those spots and what went wrong?


10. Do you often wonder if you were one of the people who got within 200 ft of the treasure?


11. Describe the type of person or group that will find the treasure.


12. Do you think those who have been searching for years have an advantage or a disadvantage over newbies? Overthinking the riddle?


13. Do you think if Fenn’s doctor tells him that he’s terminally ill, that Fenn will reveal a juicy clue? Or does he hope it stays a mystery for decades?


14. I know it’s probably unimportant, but has there ever been a poll that indicates where most people think the treasure lies? My guess is that there’s a 60% chance th