BOSTON – A valuable gold trophy worth $26,000 is believed to be hidden in the woods of Massachusetts as part of a large treasure hunt organized by two New Hampshire men.
What is the prize?
Video game developer Jason Rohrer and his partner Tom Bailey are the masterminds behind Project Skydrop, the treasure hunt that includes the gold statue in the forest. Both individuals are passionate about treasure hunting and creating unique challenges.
Rohrer mentioned, “The treasure contains 10 ounces of pure gold, and gold prices are currently at an all-time high, making the treasure worth approximately $26,000. Unlike other treasure hunts, we’ve designed this one to be neither too easy nor too difficult.”
Additionally, the trophy doesn’t just serve as a prize but also holds a clue to deciphering the recovery password required to access the money stored in a Bitcoin wallet. The prize money has been steadily growing, and as of September 24, the total pot was over $20,000.
How to play
“For a mere $20, participants gain access to exclusive clues not available to the general public,” Rohrer explained.
Players receive valuable aerial images of the trophy that progressively reveal more of the surrounding area. Initially, the search radius is 500 miles; however, it shrinks as the hunt progresses, and there is even a live trail camera focused on the trophy.
Rohrer emphasized the real-life adventure aspect of the game, stating, “Instead of just sitting in front of a screen, players are out in the actual world, experiencing a genuine adventure.”
Real-life treasure hunters
One of the avid hunters, Matt Hopkinson, who hails from Hubbardston and has previous experience working for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, is utilizing his forestry skills in the hunt.
Hopkinson expressed his excitement by saying, “I’ve been out hiking and scouting locations, trying to determine the exact spot where the trophy might be hidden.”
The current search area spans from eastern New York to western Massachusetts, with a group on Discord actively engaging in discussions about potential clues.
If successful, Hopkinson plans to keep the trophy as a memento rather than selling off the gold, emphasizing the sentimental value of the story.
As of now, only wildlife such as deer, opossums, and porcupines have been spotted near the trophy, but the trail camera is ready to capture the eventual discovery by the winners.
Bailey hinted at the possibility of expanding the treasure hunt to different locations like the West Coast and even engaging participants from Australia for future hunts.
