Justin Posey, a treasure hunter, has brilliantly infused the Netflix documentary Gold & Greed: The Hunt for Fenn’s Treasure with hints pointing to his own concealed treasure. Following this revelation, a group of viewers has collaboratively developed a map, hypothesizing the potential location of this new bounty.
The origins of this treasure hunting saga trace back to the late 1980s. Forrest Fenn, an art dealer and former US Air Force pilot, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. This grave news motivated him to hide a chest brimming with gold, jewels, and artifacts valued at approximately $2 million within the Rocky Mountains. Contrary to expectations, Fenn defied the odds, recovering from his illness. In 2010, he published The Thrill of the Chase: A Memoir, which included a cryptic 24-line poem that offered clues to the treasure’s whereabouts, enticing adventurers from around the globe.
The treasure remained hidden until June 2020, when it was discovered by Jack Stuef, mere months before Fenn’s passing. Unfortunately, the quest for Fenn’s treasure proved fatal for five individuals along the way. The documentary not only chronicles these tragic events but also showcases Posey as he embarks on his own treasure-hunting expedition.
Viewers Create Treasure Map Inspired by Posey’s Clues
As a software engineer, Posey was among the many who dedicated considerable time to uncovering Fenn’s hidden fortune. Now, he asserts that he has buried his own treasure, igniting curiosity and speculation about its location, with many pointing to Alaska as the likely site.
Justin Posey’s beyond the maps edge by u/justiceryman in TreasureHunting
In the inaugural episode of Gold & Greed, Posey confidentially shares with a producer that he has hidden clues within the filming spaces in his home. When asked about the purpose, he cryptically states, “I’m planning on hiding a treasure… hopefully Forrest’s.” While it’s unclear if these clues made it into the final episode, Posey is confident they did. He has since launched a new book in conjunction with his website, Beyond the Map’s Edge, timed with the documentary’s release.
Inspired by Fenn’s initial quest, Posey has crafted a new cryptic poem which he believes will lead to a treasure valued at one million dollars. The poem reads:
Can you find what lives in time, Flowing through each measured rhyme? Wisdom waits in shadowed sight— For those who read these words just right. As hope surges, clear and bright, Walk near waters’ silent flight. Round the bend, past the Hole, I wait for you to cast your pole. In ursa east his realm awaits; His bride stands guard at ancient gates. Her foot of three at twenty degree, Return her face to find the place. Double arcs on granite bold, Where secrets of the past still hold. Beyond the reach of time’s swift race, Wonder guards this sacred space. Truth rests not in clever minds, Not in tangled, twisted finds, Like a river’s steady flow— What you seek, you already know.
With this background, a Redditor’s post takes on new meaning. They express, “Just finished Gold & Greed, which led me to Justin’s website. I’ve seen some comments about Yellowstone or Granite Creek, but I just get a strong Alaska vibe.” They noted that the map on Posey’s website includes Alaska, and they interpret the poem’s title as signifying locations beyond the contiguous United States. Furthermore, phrases like “beyond the reach of time’s swift race” hint at the long days and nights found in the Arctic.
Notably, the line “double arcs on granite bold” inspired thoughts of the granite Talkeetna mountains north of Anchorage, where the landscape appears as double arcs. The keen observer even suggests that the term “arc” resonates with the word “Arctic.”
Every interpretation has spurred significant interest. One viewer remarked, “Just finished the series and, as a single guy in my 40s with no major commitments, I can totally envision myself getting lost in this adventure.” Conversely, dissenting opinions have emerged, with some noting that Posey might hint at national parks or more accessible public locales for the treasure.
The Cautionary Tale of Forrest Fenn’s Treasure Hunt
While the excitement surrounding Posey’s hunt fosters adventurous spirit, Gold & Greed also serves as a sobering reminder of the peril associated with treasure hunting. Fenn’s original quest resulted in the unfortunate deaths of five individuals during their desperate searches.
Posey, with undeterred enthusiasm, devoted years to unraveling Fenn’s clues, utilizing his analytical skills as well as the aid of an ore-sniffing dog named Tucker. Despite his dedication, he did not locate the treasure, which was eventually found in 2020 by medical student Jack Stuef. Following the discovery, the treasure was auctioned, with Posey placing a bid, yet it was acquired by an anonymous buyer for over $1.3 million. Nonetheless, Posey did manage to secure some artifacts from Fenn’s original trove.
Ultimately, both Posey and Stuef emerged as fortunate individuals, alongside others who survived the treacherous hunts. Sadly, five adventurers were not as lucky. Randy Bilyeu was the first to perish while seeking the treasure, having disappeared in 2016 before his remains were recovered along the Rio Grande. Other fatalities include Paris Wallace, who was found near a river in New Mexico in 2017; Jeff Murphy, who fell to his death at Yellowstone National Park; and Eric Ashby, who tragically drowned in the Arkansas River that same year. The last recorded fatality occurred in March 2020 when Michael Wayne Sexson became stranded in the Dinosaur National Monument Reserve.
While Posey’s new treasure hunt has undoubtedly generated excitement, the documentary Gold & Greed: The Hunt for Fenn’s Treasure poignantly underscores the inherent dangers of embarking on such real-life treasure hunts.
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