Fenn’s Treasure Hunt Was WILD: Netflix Doc Finally Tells All!

by

Amidst the constant stream of true crime documentaries that seem to appear daily, an exceptional docuseries not focusing on a criminal event made its debut on Netflix last week – Greed & Gold: The Hunt For Fenn’s Treasure. This captivating series narrates the entire wild saga surrounding Forrest Fenn and his decade-long treasure hunt that enthralled and motivated countless treasure seekers, similar to those featured in Netflix’s Outer Banks. I had been keeping tabs on it from a distance as it unfolded, and I find it surprising that it took this long for someone to produce a documentary about it. However, I must admit that the wait was worthwhile.

For Ten Years, The Hunt Enthralled Fenn’s Followers

In 2010, an intriguing octogenarian named Forrest Fenn published a memoir detailing his life as a pilot during the Vietnam War and an art dealer in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Within this memoir, he included a poem that seemingly hinted at the location of a hidden treasure, much like a real-life version of the movie National Treasure. Not long after, a few individuals embarked on a quest to find the treasure, but it was uncertain if Fenn’s claims were genuine.

I first stumbled upon news of the hidden treasure around 2012 or 2013; I can’t precisely recall the year. My curiosity was piqued after reading about it on a discussion forum, which led me to a subreddit, and eventually, some articles in mainstream media. These stories revolved around the mysterious man, the poem with supposed clues, updates from treasure hunters attempting to decipher the code, and Fenn’s claims that the treasure was worth millions of dollars.

I Followed The Hunt From Afar

Over the coming years, I’d regularly visit the subreddit to learn about different theories regarding the location of the hidden treasure. Although everyone seemed to agree that it was somewhere in the Rockies, there were just as many imaginative ideas as there were treasure hunters. I never delved into reading Fenn’s book or attempting to decipher the clues, and I certainly never embarked on a physical search, but I found myself captivated by the quest. Was the treasure actually there? Would it ever be discovered? Just like any child enchanted by buried treasure, I, as an adult, remained spellbound by the concept.

The search came to an unexpected conclusion in December 2020 when Fenn disclosed that the treasure had been discovered. With that revelation, the quest was concluded. However, the finder opted to remain anonymous, thus adding to the understated nature of the event. Fenn shared some images of the found treasure, but it was a rather low-key conclusion. It felt quite anticlimactic. Interestingly, Fenn passed away approximately two months later, which only emphasized the finality of the situation. However, eventually, the anonymous winner emerged as a medical student who had been engaged in Fenn’s game for quite some time.

Finally, The Whole Story Is Being Told

The Netflix miniseries, divided into three parts, serves as a delightful reiteration and reimagining of the story. Forrest Fenn made numerous television appearances on shows like the Today show and other platforms, providing the producers with an abundance of footage featuring him alongside tales from numerous treasure hunters who invested substantial portions of their lives in pursuit of the hidden loot. Despite the actual discoverer not being featured in the series, many hunters are, and they all express satisfaction that the excitement of the chase was enough to fulfill them.

In contrast to those individuals who seem to believe in this event, others expressed skepticism on platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and various social media outlets, stating that the entire affair was a hoax and that Fenn had lied when he claimed his non-involvement in the discovery. Some treasure hunters even filed lawsuits against his estate, alleging they were swindled out of the treasure. This highly acclaimed documentary, slated to air in 2025 and an excellent distraction until the final season of Outer Banks, delves into every aspect of this intriguing story. It traces the journey from its inception to the present day, discussing the fate of the treasure and the determined hunters who sought it tirelessly.

Read More

2025-04-12 16:07