I remember reading about this story shortly before the treasure was found. The romanticism of the adventure did lure me in, though I wouldn't have looked for it (I'm not on the same continent).
There is an incredible amount of cynicism that the treasure did not exist though, and there were lawsuits implying that.
Personally, I appreciate the story for what it is, and admire someone for having the idea of doing it, not for the money but for someone else's sense of adventure.
I bought one of his books. I don't think this was a hoax because if it was I don't think it would be very fun for him. He was a collector and enjoyed exploring nature. It doesn't make sense to lie about something that he felt passionate about.
great article, having lived in New Mexico for many years I understand the passion of the people who looked for his treasure in the Rocky Mountains and especially the southern Rockies / Sangre de Cristo area...
This is one of the best pieces I have read on Forrest to date.
At the very end, OP mentions visiting the spot one day and says s/he will "drift off into one more afternoon nap in that serene forest in the wilds of the Cowboy State".
"On July 22 Fenn stated on the Thrill of the Chase blog site that the treasure's finder had authorized him to disclose, in the interests of closure for many of its searchers, that it had been hidden in Wyoming."
There is an incredible amount of cynicism that the treasure did not exist though, and there were lawsuits implying that.
Personally, I appreciate the story for what it is, and admire someone for having the idea of doing it, not for the money but for someone else's sense of adventure.