Gold & Greed: How to Bet on The Hunt for Fenn’s Treasure

The allure of treasure extends beyond finding gold; it’s in the thrill of the chase, the puzzle-solving, and for many, the art of prediction. Forrest Fenn’s legendary hunt captivated hundreds of thousands. Now, Justin Posey, featured in Netflix’s “Gold & Greed: The Hunt for Fenn’s Treasure,” has launched “Beyond the Map’s Edge.” With a 60-pound treasure of gold, gems, and Bitcoin hidden in the American West, the speculative game is on.

Betting on the hunt means analyzing and predicting outcomes: who finds it, where, and when. You’ll need to apply logic and intuition to the grand puzzle Posey has laid out.

Betting on the “Who”: Profiling the Successful Hunter

Predicting the type of person who will find Posey’s treasure involves looking at past hunts and the nature of this specific challenge. Several archetypes emerge as strong contenders.

The Dedicated Analyst vs. The Fortunate Wanderer: Forrest Fenn’s treasure was found by Jack Stuef, a medical student who meticulously analyzed the poem and Fenn’s writings for years. This suggests that deep, prolonged study is key. However, luck and being in the right place at the right time with a partially correct theory can’t be entirely discounted.

Solo Searcher or Team Effort? While Stuef was a solo finder, collaborative efforts can pool resources and brainpower. Small, focused teams can cover more ground, both intellectually and physically. Some searchers for Posey’s treasure are already offering to partner with those who have strong theories but lack the means for a “boots on the ground” search.

The “Fenn Veteran” vs. The Newcomer: Those who searched for Fenn’s treasure have experience with poem-based hunts and the mindset of the hider. Posey himself was a dedicated Fenn searcher. However, he has stated that no knowledge of the Fenn hunt is required. A fresh perspective, unburdened by previous (potentially incorrect) Fenn theories, could also be advantageous.

Betting on the “Where”: Deciphering Geographic Clues

Posey has stated the treasure is in the “American West,” a vast area. The official map on the “Beyond the Map’s Edge” website (treasure.quest) provides the general search boundary. Clues are primarily in a poem, his book of the same name, and potentially in the “Gold & Greed” docuseries.

Poem Analysis is Paramount: Posey has confirmed the poem’s clues (at least 10 of them) are in consecutive order and will lead to an exact location if solved in their entirety. Lines like “Round the bend, past the Hole,” “In ursa east his realm awaits,” and “Double arcs on granite bold” are ripe for intense interpretation.

Netflix Docuseries Hints: Posey admitted to “sneaking in some hints” during the filming of “Gold & Greed,” unbeknownst even to the producers. Searchers are scrutinizing his screen wallpapers, background items, and even phrases he used. One prominent theory links a wallpaper to the Colorado River in Utah, near Moab, and connects poetic lines to features like Hole ‘N’ The Rock or Corona and Bowtie Arch.

Exclusion Zones and Conditions: Posey has provided explicit rules: the treasure is NOT underwater, on private property, in caves/mines, near man-made buildings or graves, or in dangerous spots requiring climbing gear. It is on publicly accessible land, free to access 24/7, and less than a mile from where a vehicle can be parked (no high-clearance vehicle needed). These rules significantly narrow the search field.

Betting on the “When”: Estimating the Hunt’s Duration

Forrest Fenn’s hunt lasted a decade. Predicting the timeline for Posey’s hunt is challenging but can be approached by considering several key factors.

Complexity of the Puzzle: Posey states a “fair amount is solvable from home” and there are no red herrings. This might suggest a quicker solve than Fenn’s, which was notoriously intricate. The perceived difficulty and the community’s ability to crack early clues will influence the timeline. If early clues are deciphered relatively quickly by the community, the hunt might be shorter. However, the “boots on the ground” verification will still take time.

Number of Searchers & Collaboration: The Netflix exposure gives Posey’s hunt a large initial audience. More searchers mean more brainpower and more people physically looking. The speed of online collaboration can rapidly test theories. A large, active search community could accelerate the find. The intensity of discussion and the rate at which theories are proposed and debunked will be telling.

Seasonal Factors: Much of the American West is subject to harsh winter conditions, limiting search windows. This naturally creates lulls and intense periods of activity. Discoveries are more likely during late spring, summer, and early fall. If not found by the first winter, the hunt will likely extend at least another season, potentially resetting some speculative timelines.

Ultimately, betting on Posey’s treasure hunt is an exercise in critical thinking, research, and engaging with a passionate community. As with Fenn’s hunt, the journey of deciphering the puzzle and exploring the wilderness (even vicariously) is a significant part of the reward.