‘X Marks the Spot’: Forrest Fenn Podcast Launches New Treasure Hunt — With a Twist

This podcast gives a brand new obsession for 1000’s of people that spent years passionate about finding Forrest Fenn’s treasure.
Like many buried treasures each actual and fictional, the well-known trove of gold and jewels Forrest Fenn hid within the Wyoming Rockies prompted its share of issues.
But there’s little question that Fenn’s wacky treasure hunt grew to become a global obsession for 1000’s of individuals. Now, a brand new podcast needs to recreate a little bit of that magic with an all-new puzzle quest.
In early June, Cavalry Audio launched a podcast titled “X Marks the Spot: The Legend of Forrest Fenn.” In 9 episodes, the podcast retraces the historical past and controversy surrounding Fenn’s hidden treasure, supposedly value $2 million.
However in a weird twist, the present accommodates its personal thriller: a brand new puzzle for locating a treasure value $50,000. In contrast to Fenn’s treasure hunt, which had individuals trekking — and generally dying — within the Rocky Mountains, Cavalry is aiming for one thing safer.
“Designed so anybody can play alongside from the consolation of their very own dwelling, this new experiential method challenges listeners to resolve a puzzle buried inside its 9 episodes,” the corporate stated.
Treasure Hunt Meets Model Alternative
It’s not fully clear from Cavalry Audio’s announcement if there’s an precise bodily treasure (aside from probably a paper test). The chance of a chest stuffed with gold appears low provided that this publicity stunt goals to draw extra listeners — not ship individuals into the outside.
For instance, podcast subscribers will obtain new clues and hints for fixing the puzzle. The producers additionally need gamers to take part by way of the podcast’s message boards. Cavalry will embody much more clues in its social media posts, YouTube movies, and different podcasts.
Watch X Marks the Spot: The Legend of Forrest Fenn producer Branden Morgan’s interview with Treasure Warriors, forward of at this time’s season finale!https://t.co/28Vj9GoJD8
— Cavalry Media (@CavalryAudio) July 26, 2022
“We needed to introduce a brand new style to podcasting that provided an expertise much like those that had been caught up within the hunt Forrest launched again in 2010,” stated Branden Morgan, the present’s producer and host.
“Since launching the podcast again in June, clues have been hiding in plain sight, and a few astute listeners have already seen one thing was up.”
The podcast firm additionally stated its personal workers have no idea the treasure hunt resolution. As an alternative, they contracted a 3rd social gathering to create the “elaborate puzzles.”
Forrest Fenn’s Difficult Legacy
If nothing else, the treasure hunt might supply a safer diversion than Fenn’s personal puzzle.
In his 2010 memoir, the Santa Fe, N.M., artwork vendor publicly introduced that he’d hidden a treasure “within the mountains someplace north” of town. Treasure hunters lastly unearthed Fenn’s trove in 2020. However the decade-long search resulted in 5 deaths, a number of crimes in nationwide parks, and widespread claims of fraud.
Even after Fenn’s treasure did lastly floor, the invention spawned at the least three lawsuits. Let’s hope the brand new hunt ends in rather less collateral harm.