Proof of discovery
Fenn still won’t reveal who found the treasure or where
SANTA FE — Santa Fe author Forrest Fenn broke his silence Tuesday and provided photographic proof that the treasure he hid somewhere in the Rocky Mountains more than 10 years ago had indeed been found.
Fenn posted three photos with brief comments on dalneitzel.com, a blog and Fenn fan website popular with people who participated in the treasure hunt he set off with the 2010 publication of his memoir “The Thrill of the Chase.” The book contained a 24-line poem that provided clues to finding the treasure containing gold, jewelry and other artifacts said to be worth more than $1 million.
Fenn’s fans have been clamoring for more details since the author announced June 6 that the treasure had been found. His silence since then had led some to believe that the whole thing was a hoax.
“The treasure chest was found by a man I did not know and had not been in contact with since 2018,” Fenn wrote in a post Tuesday night.
The caption for one photo says it was taken not long after the treasure was discovered. It shows an open, weathered chest with gold coins, what appear to be gold nuggets, plastic bags and a rusty key. Another photo is of Fenn wearing a tarnished silver bracelet on his arm. A third photo depicts Fenn sitting at a table in front of the open chest examining items, but offers no context of whether or not it was taken when he filled the chest.
Fenn added one more comment that will frustrate many of the estimated 350,000 treasure hunters who attempted to solve his poetic riddle.
“The finder wants me to remain silent and I always said the finder gets to make those calls. Who and where,” it said.
While many understand the “who” part, just like some lottery winners don’t like to be identified, they still want to know “where.” They’d like to know how close they got.
“I see Forrest with a treasure box. Does that prove he ever even hid it? No,” wrote someone identified only as Craig on the dalneitzel.com website. “I hope he did. But how can anyone but him know for sure?”
The vast majority of posts are congratulatory and grateful for the experience.
“Thank you so much for the Thrill of the Chase, Mr. Fenn,” wrote “pdenver.” “The places I’ve been and things I’ve seen are fantastic. Never in a million years would I have thought I would have been involved in a treasure hunt, and now my children and grandkids can have stories they can hand down to their growing families.”