For a decade , a hidden treasure chest holding $ 2 million in gold and jewels has been tucked off in the Rocky Mountains , inspiring C of thousands of people to lead into the American West in a mod - day exploration . Now , 89 - twelvemonth - old Forrest Fenn , a writer and artifacts principal who buried the hoarded wealth in 2010,reportsthat it was found on June 6 .
“ It was under a canopy of stars in the lush , forested vegetation of the Rocky Mountains and had not moved from the spot where I shroud it more than 10 years ago . I do not have sex the person who found it , but the verse form in my book led him to the precise spot,”wroteFenn .
Fenn would not say where the treasure was found nor who find it due to the man ’s wishes to continue anon. . The author did state theSanta Fe New Mexicanthat “ he ’s from back East ” and confirm the discovery by a pic that the man beam , though he reject to show it to newsman .
A deep 24 - line of descent poem issue in Fenn ’s memoir , The Thrill of the Chase , alluded to the alleged localization of the hoarded wealth , citing a canon and “ family of the Brown ” with a warning that there will “ be no boat paddle up your creek … just heavy burden and water gamy . ” In 2017 , local news accounts reported that the bureau itself consider 19 kilogram ( 42 pounds ) altogether – 9 kilograms ( 20 pounds ) for the dresser itself and another 10 ( kilograms ) 22 for its contents – that Fennreportedlyhid alone , making two disjoined misstep to its still unrevealed locating .
“ I congratulate the thousand of people who participated in the search and trust they will continue to be draw by the promise of other discoveries . So , the lookup is over . Look for more information and photos in the coming days , ” suppose Fenn .
An estimated 350,000 people have hunted for the treasure , according to theWashington Post . Though it was meant to instigate people to get outside , immerse in nature , and take part in an old - fashioned gem hunt , the burying has been rich in controversy . At least five citizenry have died while searching for the treasure , prompting New Mexico State Police Chief Pete Kassetas to ask that the treasure be retrieved .
“ He ’s lay lives at risk of exposure , ” the chieftoldthe Associated Press in 2017 .
In 2013 , a man waschargedin New Mexico for damage a ethnical artefact while labour . The following year , Yellowstone National Park rangersdetaineda couple for having a metal detector and digging in park boundaries – and those are just a few in thelong listof public prophylactic concern and lawsuits associated with the hoarded wealth .
