u/unf_usernotfound

Many men go fishing their entire lives without knowing it is not fish they are after. —Henry David Thoreau

I took a break from BTME, or at least from trying to decipher the poem. While many of you on Reddit have been preoccupied with putting out metaphorical fires or defending ANY criticism of Justin. I’ve come to accept that these flames are part of the cycle. It’s a complex dance of perspectives, with supporters and critics alike, but ultimately, it’s all part of the natural order.

Fires can help clear dense underbrush and promote ecosystem health by regenerating plants and creating diverse habitats. After all, diversity in thoughts and opinions fuel growth, just as fires rejuvenate a forest. Embracing this diversity enriches our discussions around BTME, reminding us that every perspective adds value, even when it feels like we're stoking the flames.

There is no order without chaos, there is no light without darkness, and there is no apthathy without passion. Some people on here try to extinguish people’s passions, posting comments like:

“Imagine if you put this much effort into actually solving the poem”

Here’s the thing, you don’t get to dictate what participation looks like in this hunt. Sure, your lawyer can send a cease and desist, your friends can ban your opps from their discord, create PR campaigns - but you can’t STOP what people think or communicate. BUT, you can certainly stop reading, stop showing up, stop logging on, stop replying, stop engaging and let the fire of passion burn out. As they say, if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Let me cook. I’m serving golden fish.

The very word "passion" originates from the Latin passio, meaning "suffering" or "endurance," which hints at the notion that true fervor often comes with both joy and pain. This historical connection underscores how our deepest passions can both illuminate our paths and scorch our souls, creating a compelling dichotomy that fuels our human experience. Let me carry my flame to illuminate my path, you can sleep while I explore.

Don’t worry, I’m not here to post any criticism about Justin. Instead, I’ll be doing the opposite. I applaud Justin for creating this puzzle. I strongly believe, Justin’s puzzle carries a message of hope and embraces this dichotomy of order and chaos.

While some of you have been looking to the stars for answers, using pareidolia to guide your quest, or consuming large amounts of American West history - I’ve been focused on understanding Justin. The good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s not to say that those other things hold no merit, but instead of reading the clock time, I’ve dissembled the timing mechanism to attempt to understand why it ticks and while I feel like I’ve made progress, I’m probably just as lost as the rest of y’all, but I’d like to share some thoughts and insights.

To grasp the concept of structure, it's essential to first understand its purpose. In other words, knowing why something was created provides valuable insight into its design and function. So before we look at the poem, let’s outline what Justin has said behind the why. I wrote about this at length in a now deleted post, but let’s look at what Justin says about the “big message.”

During the Deep State interview on X, Tyler asked about the "big message" Justin intended to convey, he outlined five key themes: Grief, A Message of Hope, Living in the Moment, Getting Outside, and Conservation. I believe, understanding these motivations enhances our interpretation of the poem. I’ll provide part of the transcript and try to expand upon it.

X, Deep State Transcript:

Tyler:

What do you think is the big takeaway from your book that you would tell somebody who's like, hey, like what do you want me to know? Like the big message from the book. What would that be? Would you say?

Justin:

No one’s ever asked me that before. Probably a few different things. You know, I think I think part of it is just the feedback that I've received. Is it? I think for anybody who's experienced any degree of grief in their life or, you know, a deep traumatic experience or loss. I hope that I can relate to them. And the book was a way for me to do that. And it was also a cathartic experience. It was a way for me to kind of work through whatever I was working through. You know, part of that book in effect wrote itself. I mean, I was able to bang it out very quickly because I knew what I wanted to say. And there were other chapters that took quite a long time to write and were very painful to do. And that's just the skeleton of the book. There was many more iterations that occurred after that.

But at its core, I wanted to communicate, I think, a message of hope to people and that time and life is precious. And that everyone gets a choice in terms of how you live it. And I hope, my hope is that people will live a little bit more in the moment. And we'll also get out and explore the public lands that we have in our country in the American West. And I think so many people take that for granted or push it off to tomorrow to say someday, you know, I'll make that trip. And sometimes someday never comes. And so I hope that people keep that in mind. And that's been the most uplifting part of the experience for me.

You know, I actually bumped into somebody at a restaurant the other day. And it was a mother and two children. And they had actually never been camping in their life. And this was the first time they had ever gone. And it was because of a treasure hunt. And I thought that was really cool. So I hope people do more things like that and try and seize the day.

His stated reason, purposes:

1. ⁠Grief: Justin shared how the hunt and his book-writing journey helped him navigate his grief, serving as a form of therapy. He hopes this resonates with others facing similar struggles.

2. ⁠A Message of Hope: At its core, Justin aims to instill hope. He draws inspiration from nature, as illustrated in BTME by his reflections on fishing: “Those fishing waters taught me more about life than any textbook could—about waiting, about hope, about the quiet thrill of possibility.”

3. ⁠Living in the Moment: Justin emphasizes the importance of savoring the present. He encourages everyone to avoid postponing adventures or outdoor explorations, as “someday” may never come. He observed how Brandon was “present in a way I was too consumed to notice, watching everything with quiet intention.”

4. ⁠Getting Outside / Nature: He cherishes stories like that of a mother and her children embarking on their first camping trip, encapsulating the joy of creating lasting memories in nature.

5. ⁠Conservation: During the Dillon Q&A, Justin became emotional discussing conservation, a significant motivation behind the hunt. During Tyler’s, interview Justin mentioned Annette Lilly Russ, highlighting her efforts to engage more women in fishing and environmental protection. Her legacy as the daughter of Bud Lilly—an avid conservationist and owner of a trout shop in West Yellowstone—underscores the importance of making a positive impact on our environment.

Now that we have purpose, let’s try interpret possible interpretations of the poem with these in mind. Surely, solving this poem takes obsession- it takes deep problem solving, rooted in logic.

In The Obsession’s Oath, Justin says, “Deep problem-solving sends a vibration through your skull, a low hum that builds and builds until your brain feels wired directly to the power line.”

How Poetic.

He’s hinting at, current.

CURRENT

The word "current" has several meanings depending on the context. In physics and electronics, it means the flow of electric charge. In geography, it refers to the steady, continuous flow of water in a river or ocean. In everyday speech, it means happening or existing right now.

Electric current is measured in amperes (amps). Most people know this measurement from everyday items like phone chargers, household circuit breakers, and car batteries. Hydrologically speaking, current is also measured. Hydrologists measure water current (flow velocity and discharge rate) to track water volume movement, manage supply limits, protect aquatic habitats, and prevent environmental damage. Knowing the speed and amount of moving water helps communities save finite freshwater resources. Aka. Water conservation.

In the western United States, the prior appropriation doctrine ("first in time, first in right") grants water rights to the earliest user during shortages. Artificial Intelligence data centers consume millions of gallons of water for cooling, raising concerns among local communities about depleting scarce water supplies and clashing with senior agricultural rights.

Justin says growing up that his friends called him “Running Water”. I’d like to point out that running water is not called current unless it’s in a stream or river, you don’t have “current” in your indoor plumbing, you have flow. So next time you see Justin indoors, feel free to call him Flow.

Flow is the general movement of a liquid, gas, or particles. Current is a specific scientific measurement of that movement, mostly used for electricity as the rate of charge moving past a point, or for a specific stream inside a larger body of water or air.

Let’s revisit Justin quote, “Deep problem-solving sends a vibration through your skull, a low hum that builds and builds until your brain feels wired directly to the power line.”

I submit to you, Justin is talking about current, more specifically a call of river.

In The Treasure Trail, Justin says:

The “Hole held this power over us, this marriage of water and memory where two boys became brothers, where we learned the language of current and call of river.”

Fly-fishing is the gateway to unlock this language of current and call of river.

Or as Justin put it, “Those fishing waters taught me more about life than any textbook could”.

If you’re like me and never grew up fishing or fish today, here is a link which might be insightful:

https://www.orvis.co.uk/blogs/explore-orvis/the-quiet-side-of-fly-fishing-solitude-reflection-and-nature?srsltid=AfmBOoqqnoceNLVR23rx7jA_O4rcKeT4_vixOJi6HHBgWmVQNcPwAs2b

The traditional fishing proverb is "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." Justin’s version is a modern, humorous twist on the classic proverb, “Give a man a fish and he’ll have dinner. Teach a man to fish and he’ll be late for dinner.”

Fishermen.

“Every fisherman carries a mental map marked with sacred waters—places where the mundane world dissolves at the riverbank, leaving only the eternal triangle of river, fish, and friendship. These spots become temples, their locations passed between trusted souls in whispers, if shared at all.” - The Treasure Trail

I feel like Indiana Jones looking to raid the Temple of Doom. Just playing, I don’t wear hats, but also- I don’t fish either. I’m shit out of luck.

When people fish, they participate in a web of life that includes not just the fish, but also the ecosystems they inhabit, the plants that support them, and the predators that rely on them.

Overfishing can disrupt this balance, affecting not just fish populations but entire aquatic ecosystems. Sustainable fishing practices help maintain this cycle, ensuring that both humans and nature thrive together. Or as Justin’s father, Dennis. put it, “It’s called peaceful coexistence”. It’s no surprise Justin declared himself the “Jane Goodall of raccoons”.

Fishing taught him about the aquatic ecosystem, but in a greater sense it taught him about life. For example, listen how he describes hiding from his brother Aidan:

“Like a patient predator, he slipped back into the shadows of our shared space, waiting.”

You see, understanding shadows is important to be a successful fisherman. I don’t fish…so here is a expert explaining it, if you care:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g8V0Lmdg7hA&t=191s&pp=2AG_AZACAQ%3D%3D&ra=m

Justin describes himself as having a “usual talent for blending into the shadows”, a trait no doubt he learned from fishing. Listen how he describes Brandon - “constant shadow during those shifting times”. It’s a metaphor for closeness, proximity, but also protection. You see, fish hide in shadows for protection.

In fishing terminology, an edge is any boundary where two different environments, depths, or water conditions meet. Fish love edges because they act as travel highways and provide hiding spots to ambush prey. The fish are predators, but they are also the prey. They hide in shadows to remain unseen on those they prey, but also it provides protection from their predators.

I think I’ve gone long enough without getting into the poem per se, but I believe we are looking for Justin’s sacred fishing corner. The intersection of edges.

Fuck it, let’s talk poem:

“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.”

We are looking for what lives in time and our hints is “flowing through each measured rhyme.” Well, I covered earlier the difference between flow and current.

Justin’s job as the designer of this poem/puzzle is to put us on the map. To place a X on a map, to provide context and a starting point.

Where the fuck do you start? At the beginning, of course. No really, where does one start this search for Justin’s treasure? Sure, sure Justin answers this question on his website:

“So where do you start? How do you begin this treasure hunt? As you entered this website, you saw a map. Start there. The treasure is located somewhere in the American West, and MY MAP will help guide you.” Let me remind you of the earlier quote, with emphasis on, “…mental map marked with sacred waters”.

The map. That’s not very helpful, is it? It’s missing context it’s missing the who, what, where, and why of this treasure hunt. Which he says you can gain from watching Gold and Greed and reading his book. Boom. Done.

We are now staring at a poem that we’ve looked at before, we’ve assigned our own values, thoughts and interpretations and we need to determine a location. A pin on the map, a general area of interest. And we need to derive this from the first few lines/stanzas of the poem I assume.

As we know, Justin said the first “actionable clue” begins as “hope surges…”.

Justin’s challenge here is he needs to be able to “drop the pin on a map”. Some have suggested, well Justin can get creative and drop many pins on a map and you’ll have to do math understand a computer program or app and use triangulation etc. I believe Justin has a few choices right? But what makes sense. The triangulation method might be braking the “approachable” rule, it displaces the “equal footing” he’s trying to…maybe assuming to my own detriment, to achieve. I’m sure there’s other creative ways to guide or Shepard searchers to “an area” and get this thing started. To get you BOTG.

How precise can we get with a natural feature on a map, a kitchen size - of course. No, but really, what’s in nature that can be used as a reference point. A valley, a mountain, a river etc. they each present their own problems. Without comparing all of them, I would say that a river is the best choice. After all, that’s exactly what Forest Fenn used. Justin’s own search methodology was finding the intersection of two symbolic things, which was Sunlight Creek near Dead Indian Pass.

See, Forrest Fenn wanted to end his life at his favorite fishing hole. Fenn’s writing had an element of mortality, but on the other hand I view Justin’s poem more about life and living. That’s why it’s about being present, about hope.

LIFE BEGINS WHERE ROUTINE ENDS

As you’ve probably noticed, I’m somewhat reluctant to spell it all out, this has been an excise in organizing my thoughts, but also there’s hesitation in overshading. I’ve changed my mind on serving golden fish, you’ll just have to learn how to fish and cook - if you can stand the heat in the kitchen.

Here’s some quotes I didn’t get to:

"Nine Mile Hole," Brandon echoed, the name expanding between us like river mist, heavy with unspoken histories.”

“We were going through the motions of our eight-year routine, but something had shifted beneath the familiar rhythms. Like a river changing course”

a place where brotherly bonds had been forged in river water and where ancient secrets might still whisper from beneath the current’s endless song.

learning the water’s secrets. Even after Brandon left, I stayed on two more weeks, grid-searching with methodical desperation, as if our shared history might have left some secret marker only I could find.

Also:

https://realvertigo.medium.com/begin-it-where-warm-waters-halt-forrest-fenn-fbcf4deddd06

monitors - message

Myst

Red / blue

Indian Jones- temples

In Hinduism, River edge symbolizes a
boundary or threshold, highlighting the significance of location. It represents a visual element that may denote the transition between sacred and secular spaces, enhancing spiritual practices and rituals.

Would you like to hear Terry Delonas speak in person? He’s Doc Noss grandchild- who is pictured with Justin in BTME.

Visit https://moonlakegathering.com

If you are interested. It’s in Utah, there is no fee. It’s three days. Would it help you with BTME, probably not, but if you want to learn more about treasure hunting signs and symbols or hear some fun stories, it might be up your alley.

I’ve said too much, I won’t be replying to any questions.

"The present is the past rolled up for action, and the past is the present unrolled for understanding." - Ariel Durant.

We all entered the BTME hunt at different points, potentially the finder of this hunt hasn’t even heard of Mr. Justin Posey…yet. That surely was the case with Jack Stuef, who entered “The Chase” for Forrest Fenn’s treasure sometime around 2018, a couple years before he ended that hunt. Jack was obsessed, to the point he said he had listened to so many hours of interviews that he could hear Fenn’s voice. Jack’s methodology was trying to understand the man behind the puzzle.

Another presumed obsessed person was Justin. I don’t presume to know or understand Justin’s methodology in searching but he self-reportedly resorted to facial recognition to give himself a “edge”. Oh, and how can I forget Tucker (Thanks GG). He spent months (allegedly) training Tucker. But his facial recognition program let him know it was definitely in Yellowstone. But Justin is a Saint and didn’t use Tucker, but Justin trained him to smell bronze. Those messages aren’t exactly congruent are they? That is to say “I’m going to train my dog to sniff bronze to find the treasure.” And “ I have a reasonably high conviction that it’s located in Yellowstone (where it’s illegal to bring Tucker). Putting aside his choice of methodology and whether that fits in the “spirit of the hunt.” I only bring this up because he tells you not to use AI and he was very upset when someone purchased the sketches and shared them with the community. This suggests a double standard: Rules for thee, not for me. Anyhow. What matters to better understand these conflicting notions, is a timeline of events.

When did Justin Posey “enter” the hunt? Well, with the information he has provided through interviews we can surmise an approximate time. In “The Treasure” story, Justin writes the following, Jennie, with a flick of her wrist and a knowing look, slid a Newsweek article across the table to me. “Seems like this was written with you in mind.” Here is the article:

https://www.newsweek.com/forrest-fenn-wants-you-find-his-treasure-and-his-bones-64427

As you can see it was first published in August 20 2012.

And as I have done before…I’d like to point out the following from the New Yorker article that started this all which states something a bit different:

“Years later, in 2012, when Posey was 29, his wife, Jennie, EMAILED (emphasis mine) him a Newsweek article about a different treasure. Hidden in 'the mountains north of Santa Fe”.

We will avoid the difference between a email and a hardcopy of the Newsweek article which was slid across the table, but we arrive at the same starting point… the end of 2012- August. The Thrill of the Chase (TTOTC) was published on January 27 2010 and Jack allegedly found it on June 05 2020. The Forrest Fenn treasure hunt lasted (presumably) 10 years, 4 months, and five days. To put this in perspective, the earliest Justin claims any knowledge of Fenn’s hunt is Aug 2012- that is if Justin read the Forest Fenn Newsweek article the month it came out. We will be generous and say he read it the day the article came out and say Justin had at least 7 years, 9 months, and 16 days to search. Or as Justin says on his website, “Gold & Greed showed viewers how I was captivated (i.e. obsessed) by Forrest Fenn's treasure for the better part of a decade.”

To be fair here, Justin and others continued to search for the location after Jack’s find, until… thankfully, Rudy Greene, found the location via “the stick” in the Spring of 2022:

https://www.reddit.com/r/FindingFennsGold/s/qta8OwWTip

When Justin says he searched for a decade, he is adding the time spent after the hunt ended. 7 years searching for treasure and 2 years searching for the location.

Before Rudy Greene found the stick, Justin believed Tucker had found the location of Forrest Fenn’s chest (after Jack’s find) because Tucker had given a “confirmation” pose, the only problem here is that it wasn’t at 9 Mile Hole it was in DeLacy Creek:

October 28 2020 (approximately at 1:53 timestamp):

https://www.youtube.com/live/LGquk0Sunrc?si=Zp_m472ax6xbE9Gf&t=6784

Please note, DeLacy Creek does not allow pets. We have been told Justin would never break the rules and let Tucker search Yellowstone- which is “why” his grid search at 9 Mile Hole without Tucker didn’t yield a find of Fenn’s treasure. Tucker’s seemingly only “location confirmation” was an utter failure and either in Yellowstone property or property taken from Yellowstone and taken to Tucker. I presume it’s illegal to remove soil from a National Park. I wasn’t there, I don’t know the details only the trail left behind and not deleted from the internet.

We don’t know when Justin created a “facial recognition” program, which allegedly gave him confidence it was hidden in Yellowstone.

During Gold & Greed, episode 2, Justin says:

“After I had created that facial recognition software, I had a strong belief that the treasure was located in Yellowstone National Park. I knew it was there somewhere. All the data had lined up.”

Wow, he says STRONG belief and he says he KNEW it was there. His brilliant idea to create a program to expose Fenn yielded a result- according to Netflix. But let’s check the last, here is a Amy Seeks video (December 13 2020) and Justin is asked about it being in Yellowstone:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SjKyJiwsLfo&t=4384s&pp=2AGgIpACAYoIFEABShAwdVZjeXlPczhqTWdLOWc1&ra=m

Amy asks:

“As far as just people in the chatroom and on this panel, how many are over 50% that it was in Yellowstone?”

Justin’s expression says it all. I don’t need a program or software to tell you what my eyes see…he is uncomfortable. He purses his lips. To purse your lips means to press them tightly together into a flat line or a small, rounded shape. In body language and communication, this facial gesture typically signals disapproval, frustration, deep thought, or the deliberate withholding of words.

Justin is the last to raise his hand to this question and he follows it with:

“I mean, not dramatically over 50%.”

So you’re telling me in December of 2020. He did not KNOW and had a STRONG belief it was in Yellowstone?

In case you missed it, I just used facial recognition to assess, Justin’s supposed claim about gaining confidence about his facial recognition results. 😂

Well, what is it, did he have strong confidence and know it was in Yellowstone or is 51% good enough for “treasure hunting confidence.” Does this have bearing on his “gauge” and how he placed a checkpoint to give us “confidence” about trending in the right direction?

On a Amy Seeks video, posted on July 28 2020, Justin says the following:

Amy asks, "Justin, where in Wyoming were you searching? I know you were searching in tons of places in the Montana area as well. Right?"

Justin: "Yeah, probably a shorter list of where I haven't looked. I actually tallied it up the other day; it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 days of searching in the state of Wyoming. So, you know, quite a few locations. But if I were to kind of stack rank them, so to speak, in terms of areas that are most likely—just strictly, of course, in my opinion—I tend to think that it was hidden either in the park or very close to the park, personally.

Okay, but if it was outside of the park, you know, Cascade Corner in the southwest corner of Yellowstone is a fantastic area. Especially for someone like Forrest and myself, who really enjoys fly fishing, it's a haven for fly fishers that is actually quite under-fished. Most folks never visit that portion of the park because you don't go in through a normal entrance, and it actually butts against a Boy Scout camp. I recall Forrest saying from time to time that kids have an edge, but he didn't want to explain why. It'd be kind of neat to have kids, you know, giving him a leg up in the sense that the starting point is right there at their camp, and then from there they just cross into Yellowstone.

So, yeah, I always liked that idea. But beyond that, you know, Sinks Canyon has always been one of my favorites, along with Sunlight Basin, as I'm sure Cynthia can attest."

Source (about 12:58):

https://www.youtube.com/live/xmWav1ijwDw?is=FrVy2tmoF31Am95-

There we have it, Justin claims he searched 780 days and 500 of those being in Wyoming. Is this conflicting to anyone else? You believe it’s in a National Park where dogs are NOT allowed, you train a DOG who is not allowed.

The Forrest Fenn search map included:

Montana
Wyoming
Colorado
New Mexico (North of Santa Fe)

Forrest Fenn's book Too Far to Walk was published on September 21, 2013. Which said Fenn's treasure is located within the geographical region of the Rocky Mountains and he provided a map on page 265.

That’s about one total year after Justin could have “started” based on the Newsweek Article publication date.

Justin claims to have searched Idaho. Surely, he searched the non-map state prior to Sept 2013. But yes, you’re correct…Justin did back peddle during Seeker’s Summit after the 75 mile question, stating he believed Fenn meant ANY Rocky Mountains. Which contradicts when Justin specifically said, “With symbolism in mind, I scoured the Rocky Mountain range, looking for potential starting locations by using sun and sunlight synonyms.”

Source: [Journey to Light](https://web.archive.org/web/20180223013150/http://dalneitzel.com/2014/08/20/journey\_light/)

So at least by 2015, he was finally on the “right track” and searched exclusively in the “Rocky Mountain Range”. Yeah, there’s part of the Rockies outside of the Fenn Map, I know.

When asked to rank his favorite search states his prioritized list was:

“It’s a toss up between Montana and Wyoming for first choice and second choice would be New Mexico and last would be Colorado.”

Source (approx. 20:21):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m_iZYtdyX1E&t=1190s&pp=2AGmCZACAQ%3D%3D&ra=m

Justin also stated he searched the least in Colorado in another Amy Seeks video. A reminder- that in July of 2013 as Justin stated in The Curious Confluence, that he told Fenn he has searched, “mostly up north”, when Fenn asked him, “Where have you been looking for the treasure?”.

Regardless of your obsession level and when you started your BTME journey, I believe understanding the context and timeline of events can help better inform your search.

In examining Justin Posey’s journey within the BTME hunt, the contradictions in his methodology—such as using facial recognition while training a dog for a search in a national park where pets are prohibited—highlight a troubling inconsistency. His claims of searching for “a decade” are blurred by the inclusion of time spent after Jack Stuef’s find, raising questions about the validity of his narrative due to the discrepancies in the Newsweek article “stories”. Furthermore, Justin’s discomfort when discussing the specifics of his belief in Yellowstone’s treasure location suggests a lack of confidence in his own methods. As we reflect on these elements, it becomes clear that the integrity of the treasure hunting community relies on honesty and transparency…but doesn’t it feel like a constant PR campaign? Don’t believe me wait for the Calvary coming to the comments. Always, excusing Justin’s behavior. Understanding the timeline and context of Justins’s journey is essential, as it shapes not only the pursuit of treasure but also the trust within the community. Forgive me for trying to understand the man behind the puzzle without shoving his dick in my mouth. 😂 There we are then…

“Everything you do or say is public relations.” – Unknown 🏝️

I throughly enjoy when I get Uber points. This trip secured me one uber point. I can wait to find out what points get you, don’t tell me I want it to be a surprise. If you’re wondering what the kind gentleman tipped me it was $2. I’m not sure why the estimate was $6. But I enjoyed the 29 mile ride back into town. I understand why wanted McDonald’s way out in the middle of nowhere, there was nothing to see for MILES.

Hi, I’m new. Checking in with veterans to give me guidance. I picked up a food order and didn’t realize the customer had specifically written in their notes to please include ketchup until after I left the restaurant. So I did what anyone else would have done. I stopped and bought them a bottle of ketchup, cause obviously they didn’t have any at home. Am I doing this right?

Taking a break from waterfall treasure hunt for a second to share some random thoughts.

These are some scattered thoughts, no particular structure, just what comes to mind. Please forgive my frantic bullshit ahead of time. If you’re dead set on Montana- this post is probably not for you.

If you’re unsure where to start, does it really matter? I won’t be quoting or citing sources; this is all based on my hazy memory, so don’t expect pinpoint accuracy.

Justin once mentioned that he expected Fenn to be bold in his choice of location. Is that projection, has he been bold? Is the location obvious? Miss me with your wisdom is Wisdom bullshit solve, BUT you might very well be right in a uniquely Magyar way. 😂

I had a post once where I broke down the chapters of the book, but I took it down after it hit 50k views. Let me see if I can find it and share it here:

With… dare I say, a feeling.

That quote from the G&G documentary suggests Justin wants you to tap into your instincts—on multiple levels.

Note: I can’t vouch for 100% accuracy here, so feel free to modify as you see fit.

Reasoning for the Structure of the Book

The book is organized chronologically, flowing from childhood memories to more recent experiences. The thematic segmentation showcases pivotal moments that define his character and obsession with treasure hunting.

The narrative peaks in August 2018, featuring Brandon and Tucker, leading to final chapters that reflect on the essence of treasure and the emotional significance of the journey.

“Here’s what I learned after a decade of treasure hunting: it’s not about the gold. It’s about understanding the mind of the person who hid it—their story, their obsessions, the places that shaped them.” Excerpt from Beyond the Map's Edge by Justin Posey (Copyright Protected)

Breakdown of Appearances

Brandon: 17 appearances Dad: 11 appearances Mom: 9 appearances Grandpa Fitzwater: 6 appearances Grandma Posey: 5 appearances Tucker: 7 appearances Uncle Hyram: 4 appearances Aidan: 4 appearances Jennie: 5 appearances Mack: 2 appearances Various Others: 13 appearances

Paternal Chapters

1. Dad's House
2. Poseys on the Road
3. Posey Land
4. The Postal Pilgrimage
5. The Bait Bonanza
6. The Concrete Kiss
7. The Treasure Tempest
8. The Peak Pursuit
9. The Digging Debacle
10. The Tour Trap
11. The Paternal Ploy
12. Rearview Riches
13. The Bandit Banquet
14. Reluctant Roommates
15. The Lost Liberators
16. The Midnight Menace
17. Grandma's Hands
18. The Bronze Beast
19. The Home Depot Hound
20. The Derailed Duo
21. The Grizzly Gathering

Maternal Chapters

1. Los Camarones Calientes
2. Mom's House
3. The Fitzwaters
4. The Conquistador Conquest
5. The Gracie Grail
6. The Minority Mix-up
7. The Tender Tornado
8. The Living Legend
9. The Mountain Memory
10. The Dubious Decision

Geographic Context

Arizona:

1. Mom's House (Tucson)
2. Dad's House (Tucson)
3. Los Camarones Calientes (Lukeville)
4. The Conquistador Conquest (Oro Valley)
5. The Concrete Kiss (Forty Niners Golf Course)
6. The Midnight Menace (near Maricopa)
7. The Bandit Banquet (Tucson)
8. Reluctant Roommates (Tucson)
9. The Lost Liberators (Tucson)

New Mexico:

1. Poseys on the Road (Alamogordo)
2. Posey Land (Sacramento Mountains)
3. The Postal Pilgrimage (Alamogordo)
4. The Bait Bonanza (Heron Lake)
5. The Treasure Tempest (Alamogordo)
6. The Peak Pursuit (Las Cruces)
7. The Digging Debacle (White Sands Missile Range)
8. The Tour Trap (White Sands Missile Range)
9. The Paternal Ploy (White Sands Missile Range)
10. Rearview Riches (White Sands Missile Range)
11. Grandma's Hands (Alamogordo; Patagonia)
12. The Curious Confluence (Santa Fe)

Montana:

1. The Fitzwaters (Dillon)
2. The Gracie Grail (Dillon)
3. The Aft Assault (Grasshopper Valley)
4. The Living Legend (Montana)
5. The Mountain Memory (Mountain wilderness)
6. The Jinxed Joint (Piegan Pass, Glacier National Park)

Wyoming:

1. The Treasure Trail (West Yellowstone; Iron Springs, Nine Mile Hole)
2. The Legal Lowdown (Wyoming-based legal framework)

Other Locations:

The Derailed Duo (Bellevue, Washington)

Does this shift your perspective on where you’re searching? Why or why not?

This post is incomplete; it lacks some chapters, likely because they either don’t pinpoint a location or encompass multiple locations. Do your own research; it’s been a while.

Returning to Fenn’s notion of being “bold”—could it imply that Justin placed the treasure near Polaris, his guiding star? I largely agree, but this raises a dilemma. If he aims to honor his family’s legacy, it seems the maternal side takes precedence, leaving his New Mexican roots in the background.

To address this, one could consider a neutral state or location. For me, Wyoming stands out. It doesn’t favor either parent and connects both families to the right of the continental divide, running right through Yellowstone.

Yellowstone embodies the fusion of water and memory, especially along the Madison River. If Justin suggests the poem fits numerous locations, how does he focus our attention? He seems to steer clear of states, yet Yellowstone crosses state lines. You might argue he wouldn’t place it in Yellowstone, but he has stated he wasn’t directly involved with the LLC that purchased the Fenn treasure.

What’s the significance of the number 27? Is it a clue? Here are some thoughts:

- Associated Tribes of Yellowstone
- The Constitution’s 27 Amendments

Who is the father of the Constitution? James Madison, perhaps hinting at the Madison River.

Remember the chapter about his mother’s train being shot at on Native American land? It’s a brief chapter that highlights women’s equality.

“After her mandatory eight hours of rest, when the crew board turned and her name came up, she was back in the cab, same as always—not because she wasn’t angry, but because two decades of being a woman in a man’s world had taught her that the strongest statement she could make was simply showing up, run after run, proving herself one call at a time.”

This isn’t a trivial statement. He rightly admires his mother, but does the story lead us to a state that embodies this sentiment? The state motto, “The Equality State,” resonates with her experience.

Additionally, our story begins at the Madison, in the prologue, when he picks up two ribbons at Nine Mile Hole. The Two Ribbon Trail runs along the Madison.

Notice when Justin speaks about this area, he gets romantic in his expressions- there is a fondness that lacks in other locations. Sure he calls lake heron a sapphire broached to NM, but listen to his fancy of the area, here is a example

“Dawn here has a way of making the world feel newly forged—steam spiraling from the water like ancient spirits stretching awake, rivers dancing their morning ritual as trout rise with lazy grace to pluck breakfast from the surface. These waters and paths had become more familiar to me than my own reflection,”

But you’re probably right, he hid the treasure in who gives a fuck Utah, or pick your state, or area which has nothing to do with Justin.

I’ll stop here:

“This wasn’t just another pin on a map; this was sacred ground for us both. We’d spent days there that summer, ostensibly searching for treasure but really wading through the deep pools of memory: two boys with fishing rods, learning the water’s secrets.”

K cheers. Good luck out there.

Grab some coffee, read my bullshit thoughts. Provide feedback, be frank.

Justin’s book and poem share the title, “Beyond The Map’s Edge.” Typically, a poem's title sets the tone, provides context, encapsulates themes, and serves as a gateway to its deeper meanings.

What is the context of this title? IMHO, it originates from a rather shocking place. That’s dripping in deep sarcasm, FYI. Time for a spoiler alert 🚨: Forest FUCKING Fenn, (FFF, for short).

Below is the transcript, but you can listen to FFF for yourself for a minute or two here (29:25):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBJxGpKgJ0U&t=1765s

Interviewer:
What do you say to people who say you're crazy, or a public nuisance, or that you're like getting people to dig up outhouses, graves, national parks, or any of that kind of stuff?

Forrest Fenn:
“I pretty much agree with them [chuckles].”

Hold the fuck up! Did FFF just agree to a crazy question- yup. Jack Stuef has two videos on YouTube, this interview is one of them and he’s the one that pointed out this time-stamp and this moment in his video comments.

Forrest Fenn (continued):
“I mean, how can you be a maverick? You know, I hope somewhere in my distant past there was a pirate because I have that instinct in me, I think. I mean, I don’t— I never wanted to break the law, but I wanted to bend some of them a little bit. You know, how do you know where the edge is if you don’t go out there and look? I’m not the type of person that you’ll find walking down the centerline. It’s just not part of me.”

Interviewer:
“Do you feel like you want to inspire other people to have those feelings or to do things that are a little different than they would normally do?”

Forrest Fenn:
“I don’t know that I can inspire anybody. I mean, a personality is a personality. If you don’t have it, then you could just laugh and go play Canasta, you know? That’s the way a lot of people are. But I have inspired some people because they’ve told me that by email. You know, I would never have gone to Yellowstone or Yosemite or to Bandelier if you hadn’t lured me out there with this treasure story.”

From this, we find the context. Forrest viewed himself as a maverick—perhaps even a pirate—because of shared traits like rebellion, independence, and adventure. Both embody a spirit of nonconformity and risk-taking, driven by a desire for freedom and a history of defying societal norms. This theme of pushing boundaries and operating beyond one’s comfort zone resonates deeply.

Justin captures this sentiment in his introduction’s closing sentence:

“You might find clues to my treasure scattered through these pages. You might just find a story about a kid who never quite grew out of his treasure-hunting dreams. Either way, what you won’t get is some ghostwritten memoir where every failure leads to a perfect lesson. What you will get is an obsession laid bare—complete with bear encounters, algorithm failures, and one very patient dog. And Netflix’s *Gold & Greed: The Hunt for Fenn’s Treasure* series? I left some hints there, too. It’s waiting just beyond your comfort zone. Beyond your map’s edge.”

There you have it folks, be a pirate, a maverick, or FFF himself. If you don’t like those options, Justin has provided you with new examples, how about the Hardy Boys- often portrayed as mischievous, funny, and adventurous young detectives. No? Maybe, you better identify with a mischievous animal like a Racoon? Is that better? Justin said it himself, he enjoyed the occasional urge, “to STOKE the embers of mischief” (emphasis mine).

"Stoke" primarily means to fuel or poke a fire, figuratively encourage strong emotions (e.g., "stoke fear"), or signifies high enthusiasm ("stoked"). I read that shit as “stroked” initially. 😂

Anyhow, Justin provides clear examples like “breaking into a military base”, his “counterfeit email” to the Bursar’s Office, his “illicit midnight street races” and plenty others. What’s with all the mischief and loophole talk about in the books?

Forrest encouraged you to “bend the rules.” Does Justin want you to “find the loopholes”? This is context I perceive and view the image of Justin and his brothers as young outlaws in The Conquistador Conquest. Bandits, mischievous - and apt to explore. In that chapter, the phrase “Are we going in the right direction?” is italicized. Let’s go back to FFF and his answer above.

To distill the essence of the Q&A above, when asked if he (FFF) wants people to dig up a national park, Forrest essentially responds with a resounding, “Yup, I agree.”

Dog rules, park fees, etc - have you ruled out the hiding location based on your moral reservations? Aka, “Justin would never bury it in a National Park” or “it can’t be hidden there, cause they don’t allow dogs.”

Listen- I AM NOT asking you to do anything illegal, immoral or unethical, nor am I suggesting Justin is implying you have to- but one fact stands out: FFF’s treasure was buried in a National Park. If you had reservations and you searched for FFF’s treasure, he said it himself - a personality is a personality. And allegedly, Justin refused to use his “secret weapon” and employ Tucker. Would things be different if Justin was more like Jack and held less reservations? 🤷‍♂️

So I can be really clear, follow Justin’s advice in The Treasure Trail:

“Whatever it is, embark on this journey with the spirit of Tucker wagging his tail at the sheer possibility of it all, my father’s wisdom as a guiding light, my grandfather’s resilience, and with my brother’s sense of wonder as your compass.”

To spell it out further, use his father’ wisdom as a guiding light, particularly when he told Justin, “sometimes the real treasure is the federal crimes we don’t commit along the way.”

About wisdom - it’s interesting that Justin elected to carry over this theme. Both Justin’s and FFF's poems explore the theme of wisdom, highlighting its elusive nature. FFF suggests that wisdom comes through experience (“if you’ve been wise and found the blaze”), while Justin emphasizes the need for introspection (maybe) to uncover it (“wisdom waits in shadowed site”).

In “Seventeen Dollars a Square Inch,” Forrest Fenn uses the word “wise” and states he is “twenty-five years north” of someone, which is an unconventional way to reference age. The sentence is “After all, he was twenty-five years north of me, age wise, and a person who…”

Forrest and habit of such word play, for example in Me In The Middle, Forrest writes:

“My brother Skippy came along two years later, then it was my turn, followed by my little sister June. There were two years between me and both of them so I was in the middle and that was significant because I felt somehow surrounded. You can laugh at that if you want to, but think of it this way: Skippy was older so I looked up to him, and June was younger but I couldn't look down to her because my father wouldn't allow it.”

FFF, just dropped bars, he said June was younger but he couldn’t look down on her because his father wouldn’t allow it!

Talking about BARS and being a Middle
Child:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WILNIXZr2oc&ra=m

Sorry about the detour. You’re probably asking….So FUCKING what?

Forrest's unconventional phrasing—like being "twenty-five years north"-subtly emphasizes the idea of age as a form of wisdom, suggesting that life lessons accumulate over time in unique ways. His playful word choices often disguise deeper meanings, inviting readers to engage with the text on multiple levels. This echoes Justin's approach, where he invites readers to ponder their own experiences and the shadows of wisdom that linger just out of reach. Awaiting a journey. Justin’s exploration of wisdom closely mirrors Forrest Fenn’s insights, emphasizing that true wisdom often emerges from experience and introspection.

In “The Treasure Trail,” Justin’s father’s remark about federal crimes humorously suggests that the adventure itself holds as much value as the treasure. Both authors highlight that wisdom isn’t linear; it resides in the unexpected twists and the courage to embrace risks. Their works encourage stepping beyond comfort zones, suggesting that the real treasures may lie in the experiences along the way.

In the end, Embers of Mischief ignite a call to adventure, urging us to venture beyond the map’s edge. Justin and Forrest Fenn remind us that true treasure lies in the courage to explore the unknown and challenge norms. Embrace the thrill of discovery; wisdom often waits just beyond convention. Dive in, take risks, and let mischief guide you to hidden gems. Or don’t, you decide- right, Frank?

“From the vantage point of my warm, comfortable spot on mother earth, I could see off into infinite space and the eternity of time. In just a few hours, I thought, some of us are going to make that leap into eternity. And I will be one of the instruments of that voyage. I may also be one of the travelers....It's going to happen sooner or later. But if today is my day-I'm going to have a cup of coffee first.” - E. Haney

“We’d built our walls too high—his granite silence, my need to prove myself.”

In "The Postal Pilgrimage," Justin reflects on a jar of rattlesnake rattles that encapsulates the intricate relationship he shared with his grandfather, Leaden Posey. On one side stands Justin, grappling with an urgent craving for validation; on the other, his grandfather embodies an impenetrable granite silence, creating an emotional chasm neither knew how to bridge.

“Life has a funny way of planting you where you need to grow,” Justin acknowledges in the opening line of “Mom’s House.” This sentiment resonates powerfully with the rugged backdrop of Leaden’s upbringing, where resilience was not just a virtue but a necessity. Farming or cattle ranching—perhaps both—was the life, and it was hard. Picture growing up amid the relentless challenges of ranch life near Animas, New Mexico, during the Great fucking Depression. The stakes were high, and the struggles were real.

Leaden’s early exposure to grueling labor and adversity forged a stoic demeanor that would define his interactions and relationships. This legacy of emotional fortitude cast a long shadow over Justin’s upbringing. I think of grandfather Fitzwater’s constellation of awards; in "The Living Legend," Justin recalls wearing his grandfather's service medals: “I remember the weight of them against my chest, how important they felt, though I didn’t understand their meaning. I wonder what Grandpa Wayne thought, watching me play at being him. I was pretending at wearing his strength, while having no idea what strength really meant.”

In my opinion, family history loomed large, and that pervasive silence served both as a shield and a barrier, creating a weight that was both protective and isolating.

Blah, blah, blah, maybe you’re thinking who fucking cares? I’m not sure- I was thinking of the current state of affairs and this was part of my thinking. But what the hell does it all mean? In the current state of affairs, Justin finds himself in a shitstorm, desperately trying to prove himself. Did you see his math theorem? Is his over intellectualized explanation a wall stemming from the need to prove himself? No fucking clue. It feels like a fall from grace, like he flew too close to the spotlight, Icarus incarnate.

I hope he remembers his vision and finds a way to overcome this setback. I hope he taps into that granite grit that runs in his veins.

I’m grappling with the present situation; is this a production or part of “The Project”? I was supposed to learn about “the creator”—did I misinterpret that or go too far?

“It’s about understanding the mind of the person who hid it—their story, their obsessions, the places that shaped them.”

What if I disagree or have questions that don’t align with the narrative being pushed? I never expected Justin to be flawless; to me, his imperfections are far more compelling than his precision. But are these obfuscations part of the magic show, or are they merely walls?

If I call bullshit, am I ruining a magician’s trick?

Ultimately, Justin’s story reveals that the walls we construct—whether of silence or ambition—can protect yet isolate us. We are but islands of consciousness, until we build a bridge of understanding, through trust and trust only comes from vulnerability and authenticity. Don’t mind me while I dig my toes on my island. Just know you were invited.

A moon must crest to offer its light - unf

Fair warning, views expressed might be controversial or offensive, with creative liberties. BUT it’s the internet, log off and water your plants. I rambled, read it for entertainment, don’t take it as fact or do. There’s certainly truth within.

This production must keep moving; we can't afford to pay the film and production crews indefinitely, and we certainly can't “end the hunt” with a cipher still unsolved!

Alright, cipher: box checked.

We’ve reached the next gate, and the stage is now set for the next drama to unfold.

We began at Dillon, where there were no security guards. Justin took the time to connect with each individual searcher. Hearts were won—swooning, appreciation, admiration. This was our first glimpse of the exposed hand at play: cameras, lights…

Action. Take your positions.

Welcome to The Posey Show.

In Episode 2, we find ourselves at Seekers Summit, conducting interviews. The Cipher Solver was interviewed—how serendipitous! Or perhaps good orchestration, depending on your perspective. This time, it was a shorter meet-and-greet; we need to keep this train rolling. Send Froggy to the back of the line and inform everyone that no more people can meet Justin. Froggy’s million-dollar smile wins hearts as he turns people away.

Q&A Time!

Let’s update the stats!

- The number of people who have asked Justin to verify their solution before heading out was 24,101; it’s now 277,428. [Ema gasps.]

- Those who told Justin they were 100 percent sure: from 13,388 to 119,644.

- Bribe attempts: from 32 to 1,221. (That’s a lot of unreported white-collar crimes, Justin.) He undermines the seriousness by saying he “appreciates the enthusiasm.”

- Blackmail attempts: up from 3 to 80. (Another serious crime.) Ema says, “Oh wow.” Justin calls it a “valiant effort.”

- Tracking attempts—a “new category” that “didn’t exist”—is now at 19.

- Search and rescue operations: increased from one to 16.

Justin finishes categorizing his alleged 398,408 different events. A staggering number.

Ema chimes in, “People, we’re smarter than this.” The irony in her statement seems to escape her—in her rush for moral superiority and indignation towards “gen pop” while blindly accepting “The Build Up.”

We set the tone for the shift; it’s no longer “safe.” Cue the “people went nuts” sound bite. We now have guards escorting Justin for this next phase of hype building for the production. Don’t get me wrong—fun was had: dances, smiles, drinks, music. Great times! But that’s not part of The Posey Show. In this next phase, no one is interested in boring; there must be a narrative: a beginning, a buildup, and a resolution.

Those stats during Ema’s lecturing mom talk—that was the buildup. Things have picked up pace. Don’t even think to question how precise those new stat numbers are; Justin is a genius. He is beyond reproach, he is unreprovable.

Ignore the fact that the cipher was too heavy with noise or fog to see the resolution; it needed encouragement, guidance, last-minute hints in a public setting but meant for the private few.

Overambitious? Probably. Never mind Justin waiting a year to let everyone know the cipher was essentially unsolvable with the "two extra dinner guests.” Alas, poor excuse, but let’s blame Netflix, of course. In your own home, you can set a clock to whatever you need before you speak to a guest.

Yet…a year with his cipher code containing bugs, let’s call it layer deuce. The script required a code built for “grenade-type precision”—close enough and powerful enough to cause chaos. Boom.

Back to the numbers: have you ever seen Mr. Beast count to 100,000? Me neither—apparently, it took him 40 hours:

[Mr. Beast Counting to 100,000](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xWcldHxHFpo&pp=0gcJCVACo7VqN5tD&ra=m)

This motherfucker must have elves. Imagine sorting through emails to distinguish between those contacting him to verify solutions and those sending blackmail attempts, etc. Sure, algorithms—specialized programs he wrote—whatever “resolution idea” you need to believe he’s being truthful in your eyes. The devil is in the details, and you have to fake it till you make it; you must sell the narrative.

Here are some numbers regarding Justin’s followers on social media, providing a pulse check on potential “searchers”:

- YouTube: about 1,830

- TikTok: about 2,650

- Facebook: about 10,000

- X: about 12,000

- IG: about 21,600

LOL, he has almost as many bribe attempts as he has YouTube followers. I wonder what algorithm he needed to capture, “give me the fucking money, I know about your hunt bunnies” emails or whatever a bribe looks like. 😂 Damn, what is a bribe? So many nuances; I thought I knew, but here’s what it says:

Bribery is the corrupt offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or employee.

Doesn't the number raise your suspicions? Maybe even in a “are those fucking grid coordinates, bro” kind of way? Those numbers seem inflated to me. They build hype and tension before release.

Is this year one of ten? Of course not. But perhaps year one of two or three. I don’t know if we’re 90% or 20% done. But it feels like we’re at least 50%, or more.

The story is greater than the facts! Look how crazy it was, how many bribes he received, whatever. But we already knew this! If the Gold and Greed documentary was about truth, then Rudy Greene would have found the stick, log, or book, and there would be no need for Justin to be made the star of the show by misleading people into pbelieving he found the final location. But, “bad editing” made it confusing, or whatever excuse. Gold and Greed was filming until April of 2024; don’t believe me? Pause the news story articles on his laptop in the garage scene. The stick found by Rudy was TWO years prior.

Never mind Tucker failing his only mission during The Fenn Hunt. Tucker confirmed the wrong location. Justin and others provided it to the “community” as proof. Did his failure make the show? Of course not; it doesn’t fit the “narrative.” I could go on, trust me. The point is, “it doesn’t matter who you are; it only matters who they think you are.” That was Forrest Fenn’s number one rule (rule #1). He had many rules; check them out if you're interested: [Fenn's Rules](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xVY8ugAisl8).

So what if Breaking Bad was fictional? It was an incredible show! There’s nothing wrong with fiction or taking creative liberties in documentaries. It’s akin to how Logan Paul leveraged Netflix for his fight, navigating traditional systems by labeling it an "exhibition fight." Similarly, the documentary employed a "creative treatment of actuality." I realize that might have lost some people, but that’s the essence of my perspective. The story is greater than the actual facts. “It only matters what you believe.”

Returning to rules, Forrest Fenn’s number one rule applies to this hunt's context: it’s a story, a narrative, where facts fade as fiction fixates our focus on fantasy. Entertainment is more important than eXactitude (wink for my friends).

When Justin was asked on X if all of his chapters (recollections) were considered accurate and truthful, this was his reply:

“Well, that's rather like asking someone to remember their dreams with footnotes. Of course, they’re true—to the best of my recollection.

Memory, I've found, is less about accuracy and more about survival. We remember what we need to remember, the way we need to remember it, which means my childhood summers were definitely longer than yours, my mother's occasional disappointment more acute, and that time I wet myself in first grade probably more traumatic than Watergate.

But these small betrayals of fact serve a larger truth—the story of how we became who we are, told by the only witness unreliable enough to make it interesting. So yes, forgive any minor inaccuracies. The heart remembers what the head forgets, and sometimes that's the most honest thing of all.”

What’s another name for “small betrayals of fact”? Lies? Yep.

I won’t dive into the complexities of memory and how it shapes our identities. Justin suggests that memories are often subjective and influenced by personal experiences, emotions, and the need for survival. Hence my comment about “mental mechanisms” in my lengthy post earlier.

Reddit user Puzzle-headedPoem shared this excellent video (around 9:30): [Video Link](https://youtu.be/Ca\_RbPXraDE?).

I won’t delve into memory theories, but many of you would be interested in his description of “real-time” or “just-in-time” recollection of memories.

This brings us to our next Forrest Fenn Rule: Imagination is better than knowledge.

Did you catch Justin’s reference or movie quote from “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”? It’s been a while, but I think it goes, “Adventure waits for no one”—maybe in episode 3? Its most famous quote is:

“To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life."

I can tie all those concepts back to messages in BTME, but I’ll leave that to you. Regarding imagination, this movie is about the power of imagination as a coping mechanism for a mundane life, ultimately highlighting the shift from passive daydreaming to active engagement.

Returning to Justin’s statement, “that's rather like asking someone to remember their dreams with footnotes.”

An asterisk (*) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a footnote or to provide additional information at the bottom of a page.

Speaking of footnotes, let’s look at Forrest Fenn’s writings in Important Literature:

“Not a day passes that I don't question myself about what lies just ahead and whether or not I can make it happen like it's supposed to be. Now, near the end of my seventy-ninth year, each day tests me in a different way, and I know that before too long I'll make my last flight to where even memory itself will never have been. Sooner or later, each of us will be nothing but the leftovers of history or an asterisk in a book that was never written. So now I sit here past midnight beside my juniper fire, reflecting back to the year when my awareness took its first few steps.* ”

This passage explores aging, mortality, and the search for meaning, contemplating daily challenges and the inevitability of being forgotten. The passage ends with an asterisk (*).”

When writing about the Vietnam War, Forrest writes:

“After all of the bullets and rockets and bombs had finished flying through the trees and across the skies, there was nothing left for us but the memory of 58,266 Americans whose names have been etched, chronologically by time of death, on that shiny black war memorial, which is constantly being washed clean by the tears of a million visitors. In another generation or so most of those names will be but an asterisk in the history of a forgotten war, a curiosity to wonder about, like the Lincoln Memorial.”

I humbly suggest that an asterisk is a footnote. Furthermore, I propose that Justin’s 42 is Fenn’s asterisk (*):

ASCII Code 42: In the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)—a foundational computer coding system—the decimal number 42 is the numerical designation for the asterisk symbol (*).

Back to Fenn…in his third memoir, Once Upon a While, I believe on page 82, he writes about the 4th U.S. Cavalry and Quanah and his warriors. What stands out is that the “footnote” takes center stage and is bigger than the paragraph—see the picture. The U.S. Cavalry section is small while the Native American footnote is the “main dish.” They’re juxtaposed. Forrest took the footnote and did not erase the memory or “marginalize” the Native Americans. He not only takes them out of the margins but juxtaposes their description. For example, Trooper Greg is buried and marked with rocks, but Quanah is portrayed as strong and fierce.

Put simply, the reality of what the Native Americans experienced is largely forgotten—they ARE the asterisk, the forgotten, the marginalized. Their memory reduced to footnotes of American conquest. Forrest Fenn spent his time resurrecting their memory through objects.

Yet, Fenn was villainized as a “grave robber” by the same government that systematically undermined Indigenous sovereignty and rights through policies of forced removal, land dispossession, and cultural assimilation, leading to lasting socioeconomic and cultural impacts. And that’s putting it nicely. It didn’t matter who the Native Americans were; it only mattered how they were portrayed and what people believed (Think Rule #1). The identities of Native Americans were overshadowed by stereotypes; they were labeled "savages," stripping away their humanity and complexity. Forrest remembers and honors the Native American warriors by writing a legthy footnote.

The theme of mortality is woven through Forrest Fenn and Justin’s writings. For Forrest, we encounter this in his story “My War For Me.” Forrest told us,

“I wrote a story that’s in my memoir that’s called My War for Me. If you don’t do anything else, read that story.”

In that story, while in a remote area near a waterfall surrounded by tall grass, Forrest Fenn tripped and fell face-first. As he pushed himself up, he found himself "nose-to-nose" with a "rude aluminum grave marker." It was a grave marker for a French soldier from the French Indochina War. The image of this marker in the middle of nowhere left a lasting impression on him regarding life, death, and "conflicts piled on top of conflicts." Forrest wrote that he remembered the man's epitaph clearly

("If you should ever think of me / when I have passed this vale, / and wish to please my ghost / forgive a sinner and smile at a homely girl")

- but never made any mention of the soldier's name, which seems surpassingly strange in a story, in part, about the desire to be remembered after we die.

"For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Ernest Hemingway is featured in Forrest Fenn's book The Thrill of the Chase, specifically within a chapter where Fenn discusses "Important Literature". Fenn often used literary references, such as this novel about war, love, and life's fragility, to hint at the themes of his treasure hunt—adventure, life, and death.

I’m not quite connecting the dots here for you or diagraming the parallels for you and some might be thinking who gives a fuck about Fenn or his rules? I humbly suggest they’re the key. I’ll use Justin’s words here:

“The word “handheld” rang through my thoughts like a bell, and suddenly I saw what everyone else had overlooked: rules weren’t walls, they were riddles waiting to be unraveled.”

That reminds me of the “extra line” in the BTME audio book that states that the “difference between fantasy and reality isn’t a wall, it’s a map waiting to be drawn.”

Let’s not forget… “Because sometimes the best way to close one chapter is to write a whole new book of riddles.”

We find ourselves the whirlwind of The Build Up, we’ve witnessed the transformation of a treasure hunt into a spectacle, where the lines between truth and narrative blur. From the intimate interactions at Dillon to the escalating chaos at Seekers Summit, the production thrives on drama and spectacle, keeping audiences hooked while raising eyebrows about authenticity. The staggering stats—whether about bribes or blackmail attempts—serve more as entertainment than credible indicators of reality, reflecting the show’s reliance on sensationalism.

As we navigate through the layers of storytelling, we find ourselves questioning the very nature of memory and truth. Justin’s reflections reveal a deeper truth about human experience: that our recollections are often colored by subjective perceptions rather than objective accuracy. This notion resonates with Forrest Fenn’s exploration of mortality and the forgotten narratives of marginalized groups, particularly Indigenous peoples, who are often relegated to footnotes in history.