The Clever Treasure Hunter Revealed
Dan Leonard, a meteorologist in Andover, Massachusetts, has been identified as the winner of the digital treasure hunt for a gold statue worth over $25,000. The founders of Project Skydrop did not reveal Leonard’s identity, but it was discovered by NBC affiliate News Center Maine.
Leonard’s approach to solving the puzzle involved analyzing temperature data, cloud cover, and plant life seen in the stream to narrow down the location of the treasure. He used both visual and environmental clues to aid in his search.
The Bounty Dilemma
Although Leonard successfully located the gold statue, claiming the bounty money came with a catch – the prize could only be accessed by solving clues written on the trophy itself. This presented a challenge as anyone with access to the statue could potentially crack the code and claim the money.
Leonard remained optimistic about the situation, stating that even if he did not receive the additional bounty money, he still had an enjoyable experience and found treasure in the process.
Insight into Leonard’s Winning Strategy
Additional details shared by Rohrer shed light on Leonard’s winning strategy. Utilizing aerial image clues, Leonard was able to determine the treasure was located in a large deciduous beech grove, a key detail that helped him narrow down his search area. While he never had an exact GPS coordinate, he relied on visual cues from the aerial images to guide him through the search.
Leonard’s persistence paid off when he revisited a spot he had initially dismissed, only to discover the treasure hidden among the leaves. This moment of realization highlighted the intricate details and challenges of the treasure hunt.
