Now a full armchair treasure hunt with $700 PRIZE!

[Jenny]

Hi all, Seek and Ye Shall Find Treasure Hunt by Martin Smith is now a full armchair treasure hunt with $700 in prizes:

Read More Here:

mysteriouswritings.com/read-and-seek-adventures-is-now-a-full-armchair-treasure-hunt/

[GeneticBlend]

I am quite disappointed in this hunt. The stanzas of the poem are much too vague to be able to solve with any bit of confidence. The author said that he wrote his poem like Forrest Fenn's poem. And indeed, I can see the similarities. A person can apply the descriptions to almost any place, and get it to "fit" the poem.

I've tried my hand at each and every one of the stanzas, and feel mildly confident about only one stanza. I put a lot of time into this, but from the few results I've obtained, I don't think it is quite worth it. I will be putting this one aside.

I understand now, why the $700 has gone unclaimed. I suspect it will remain that way, unless the author gives some clues to solving the poem.

I'll be back if the author gives an update with some clues, or if there is a breakthru of sorts. Until then, I don't think this one is worth the time.

I am curious as to what others think.

[Jenny]

Whenever I approach a treasure hunt I remember what was included at the end of the Beale Treasure story, so never to feel disappointed. It was:

“Again, never as I have done, sacrifice your own and your family’s interests to what may prove an illusion; but, as I have already said, when your day’s work is done, and you are comfortably seated by your good fire, a short time devoted to the subject can injure no one, and may bring its reward.”


My attitude towards treasure hunts differs to many, I know. But it doesn't bother me at all that a hunt isn't solved quickly, by myself or others, even after lots of time is put in to it---because it is time that should be enjoyed doing so --after 'work is done'.

I love exploring and the various challenges put forth..... I don't mind looking at the book once in a while, trying a hand at it, and if I'm able to 'find a solve', great. If not, no harm done. I would have enjoyed the research inspired by the hunt, and gained from that.

It wouldn't matter if the hunt lasts for years... like the Whistle Pig.... or others. I love the fact that 'they are there' for a challenge when wanted. IF wanted.

One never knows when they come back to hunt how new perspectives or ideas might lead to the correct solution and it might have been right in front of us all the time.

Just my opinion on all hunts.....

[GeneticBlend]

Jenny,

Thank you for posting a reply. I said I was curious about what people thought about the "Seek and Ye Shall Find" hunt, so I am glad that you posted your thoughts.

I agree with you. All treasure hunts are fun. And if they are unsolved, no matter for how long, you can always go back to them. But Forrest Fenn's hunt, I believe, was written to purposely be vague. And Martin Smith wrote "Seek and Ye Shall Find" to mimic Fenn's poem, and it is just as difficult to interpret. Making a hunt nearly impossible to solve, in my opinion, is a mistake. I think Fenn's hunt has remained popular only because of the two million dollar prize amount, and in part, because of Fenn's personality and that is he well-known. Martin's hunt on the other hand has neither of these traits.

At least with the Whistle Pig, the stories are thought-provoking, and people can discuss them, and come to a concensus on what they believe the stories mean. The Whistle Pig is a good example of a hunt that you can go back to with new perspectives and ideas. Martin's poem only allows for a longer list of guesses that could possibly fit each stanza every time you go back to it. I think it is funny that even though we are looking for directions in Martin's poem, the poem has no direction. It is everywhere all at once.

I had my fun with "Seek and Ye Shall Find". It is time to go back to one of the other many unsolved hunts out there!

[AJ]

I'm new to these treasure hunts, but I felt the need here to say how much I appreciate the work put in to create them, and for this forum. Whether it's this hunt or others, people are willing to share their work to the public, despite the possibility it will help someone solve that hunt before you do. I will try to do more of this sharing in the future too.

Specifically for this hunt, I believe I've "fixed" the poem and have just started working on the 28 (28!) clues in the poem. If I make any progress, I will post about it.

[GeneticBlend]

I think I have the poem "fixed" too.

If you get one of the stanzas solved, and are willing to share your results, that will be quite interesting. I can't seem to pin any of them down. I really would love to see some solid results...even if it was with just one stanza!

[martins]

I appreciate the feedback on the difficulty. As I was putting the hunt together I encountered the riddle-maker's dilemma. Since I knew the answers, gauging the difficulty of the solve became a challenge. I do want this solved and I'm confident it will be solved (probably this year).

To date, four clues have been correctly identified by searchers. If I feel no one is making progress, I'll release more Q&As and more clues.

I've been searching for Fenn's treasure since 2013 and, yes, his prize is much more lucrative and much more worth my time and money to search for. My future hunts likely will be all armchair hunts unless I find Fenn's and re-invest.