Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • FA L L 2 0 1 7 14 Searching for Fenn's Treasure www.distinctlymontana.com/treasure174 DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL BEHIND THE HIKING BOOTS Like most other explorers I interviewed, Tyler Richendollar from California became interested in the treasure after "reading about it online somewhere." He explained, "Researching and studying Fenn's chest really makes me have that feeling of discovery and exploration that I can't get with a typical hike. My motivation for searching is two-fold. First, it's a great way to learn more about the U.S. We have an immense wealth of beautiful, breathtaking land that goes under appreciated. is is a way for me to explore my love of geography and topography with a real purpose. My second reason is that if I can analyze the poem correctly, then I can find a hidden treasure. Dream come true." "I've been able to scour maps and find the most wonderful little places. Take Mount Brown, for example, near Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. I would have not known that neither it nor the trails just to its northeast face exist. " He believes the treasure is within an hour of West Yellowstone. He suggests searching near the ghost town by Quake Lake and the creeks that feed into it. His biggest difficulty is finding out what Fenn means by "the home of Brown." Dal Neitzel, another Montana searcher, started a Fenn Treasure blog, www.dalneitzel.com, in 2012. Searchers congregate at this online meeting place to discuss theories and read updates and announcements about the hunt. Other than Forrest himself, Dal is probably the biggest name in the Fenn Treasure community. "Many brains are better than one is our guiding principle," said Dal, explaining the purpose of his Web site. "I'll have to admit, I was never certain that treasure hunters would actually want to share. But they do. We have formed an open community where we share our adventures, our "solves" (ideas about where they believe the trea- sure is located), our videos and photos, and even our poetry." Dal heard about the treasure in 2010 when it was first an- nounced. He now has over 70 searches under his belt and has concluded that Fenn's childhood points to the treasure being in Montana. "His family built a cabin camp in West Yellowstone in the 30s and 40s. He and his brother and sister loved swimming in the Madison. Forrest and a good friend walked all the way from West Yellowstone to Bozeman along the beautiful Gallatin River. He was a fishing guide in the area by the time he was 14. He built cabins there. He traipsed all over the area, spending one summer logging in the National Forest. Yellowstone and the surrounding area were his playground. We know that the treasure is in a 'special place' to Forrest. All my special places are from my youth. I think his is too," explained Dal. For Dal and many others, riches are not the goal. He explained that he has talked to many folks who have said that if they found the chest, they would simply take one piece of the treasure, and rehide the chest so the game could continue. "I have absolutely wonderful treks that are crammed with little adventures," recalled Dal. "I have walked marvelous American landscapes. I have slept on the high desert mesa and in river can- yons under juniper and pinyon. I have hiked incredible stretches of crystal clear trout streams guarded by tall pine and spruce. I have ambled across alpine parks delicious with spring wildflow- ers and soaked in natural hot springs to sooth my tired feet. I have visited pueblos, plazas, canyons, hilltops and forests. I have driven hundreds of dusty miles through ochre stained, haltingly beautiful, mountain topography. I have smelled the desert sage and tasted frito pie. I have been in some of the loveliest country a person can picture. It's been a wonderful experience and I am grateful that Forrest tempted me to go out and find his treasure." Dylan Tobacco searching for treasure around Warm Creek in Yellowstone National Park KELSEY SINCLAIR

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