Chasing The Thrill : Obsession, Death, And Glory In America’s Most Extraordinary Treasure Hunt by Daniel Barbarisi

Daniel Barbarisi delves into a captivating adventure reminiscent of a bygone era as he embarks on a mission to unearth buried riches. Armed only with a cryptic poem, a mischievous art enthusiast, and the trails of a previous pursuer who met his demise in the pursuit… Every turn of the page pulls you deeper into this uncharted territory where fortune, or misfortune, awaits.

When Forrest Fenn was given a terminal cancer diagnosis, he devised a daring scheme: to conceal a chest brimming with priceless gems and gold in the wilderness. To reveal the treasure’s secret location, Fenn would publish a poem acting as a map. However, Fenn defied expectations and survived, triggering a decade-long frenzy in the Rocky Mountains, with countless treasure hunters scrambling to seek their fortune.

In 2017, Daniel Barbarisi stumbled upon the enigma surrounding Fenn’s quest when a friend became consumed by deciphering the poem, convincing Barbarisi, a journalist, to chronicle their pursuit. Little did he know that what started as an attempt to capture the inner workings of Fenn’s hunt would swiftly transform into a personal odyssey, one that led Barbarisi down a reckless and potentially perilous path. Along the way, he became entangled in searcher conspiracies and engaged in a battle of wits with Fenn himself.

During the tumultuous span of four years, tragedy befell several searchers, controversies exploded, and one intrepid seeker ultimately discovered the coveted chest. However, the mystery did not cease there. Brimming with intrigue, peril, and breathtaking action, Chasing the Thrill captivates with its tale of insatiable desire, all-consuming obsession, and boundless escapades.

Chasing the Thrill: Obsession, Death, and Glory in America’s Most Extraordinary Treasure Hunt

Great, well welcome everybody to this special program presented by the Friends of the Needham Public Library! I’m your host, Rob Pettit, and I’m a member of the Friends Program Committee. Today’s program is one in an annual series the Friends organizes to inform and entertain the public. Our programs are free to all and all are welcome. These programs are almost always on Sunday afternoons at 2pm, and you can learn more about the speaker lineup on the Needham Free Public Library website and the Friends of the Needham Library website as well.

If you would like to become an official member of the Friends and support the library in many important ways, just go to our website, friendsneedhamlibrary.org, and sign up! The cost is modest and you’ll be supporting the library in many important ways.

Today, I am delighted to present author Dan Barbarisi, who will speak on the experiences he had leading up to the publication of Chasing the Thrill. Chasing the Thrill has been called an intoxicating mix of clear-eyed journalism and down the rabbit hole obsession, a riptide of a book. Dan is a veteran journalist and an author with over 15 years in newspaper journalism, and he is currently a senior editor at The Athletic.

Background on the Treasure Hunt

The book Chasing the Thrill is about a real-life treasure hunt that began in 2010 in the southwest region of the Rocky Mountains. The hunt was started by a man named Forrest Fenn, who announced that he had hidden a treasure chest filled with gold nuggets, rare coins, and other valuable items somewhere in the mountains. Fenn published a book and a poem that contained clues to the location of the treasure, and ever since then, thousands of people have been searching for it.

The treasure hunt gained national attention and became a phenomenon, with hundreds of thousands of people participating in the search. However, the hunt also led to several deaths and controversies, as people took extreme risks and went to dangerous locations in search of the treasure. Despite these challenges, the hunt continued for almost a decade until the treasure was finally found in 2020.

The Experiences of the Author

In his book, Dan Barbarisi chronicles his own experiences as a treasure hunter and provides an inside look into the world of Forrest Fenn’s treasure hunt. He describes the excitement and obsession that drove people to dedicate their lives to the search, as well as the risks and dangers they encountered along the way.

Barbarisi also explores the history of treasure hunting and how Fenn’s hunt fits into the larger lineage of treasure hunts throughout history. He examines the psychological and emotional impact of treasure hunting, as well as the ethical and moral questions raised by the hunt.

The Impact of the Treasure Hunt

Since the completion of the treasure hunt, the Fenn community has scattered, with some members moving on to new hunts and others feeling a sense of closure. However, there is still a small group of dedicated individuals who are searching for the exact spot where the treasure was found, wanting to prove their theories and uncover the truth.

The treasure hunt sparked a mix of emotions and reactions among participants, from joy and excitement to frustration and disappointment. Some found the hunt to be a thrilling adventure that brought them closer to nature and new friends, while others felt that it consumed their lives and led them down dangerous paths.

Overall, the treasure hunt left a lasting impact on those who participated, and its legacy continues to be discussed and debated among treasure hunting enthusiasts.

The treasure hunt created by Forrest Fenn captivated the imaginations of thousands of people and led to a decade-long search for hidden riches in the Rocky Mountains. It became a cultural phenomenon, drawing people from all walks of life into the thrilling world of treasure hunting. However, the hunt also raised many ethical and moral questions and resulted in tragic deaths. The story of the treasure hunt serves as a fascinating exploration of human obsession, the lure of hidden treasures, and the impact of such pursuits on individuals and communities.