It looks like NBC is getting into the game with their new Treasure Hunters show. They have created a Treasure Hunters Challenge site that you can play to enhance the experience. While not as immense in scope as The Hanso Foundation, it’s still not bad (and you may win money). What’s more is that it seems to have some end in site, while The Lost Experience seems almost never-ending.
While I originally started to put the details of the challenges here in this one entry, it quickly overwhelmed the size of this entry. So in order to make things a little more manageable, I’ve broken each week out into its very own entry, which should help to keep things somewhat orderly and help you to find what you need a little faster. At least that’s the plan. Things may change once we see what’s working and what’s not. Stay tuned for further developments on that front.
Each week is listed, along with the primary focus of that week’s challenge, which may or may not agree with what you think the challenge should be named. I’m not trying to be difficult (I promise), but I figured that it would be better to give the challenge some sort of descriptive name, rather than just “Week 1”, “Week 2”, “Week 3”, and hopefully what is there will be enough to help you find what you need. If not, I’m sorry. Click the link and read up to see if it’s what you need. If not, come on back and try the next week. Ultimately there are only 9 challenges (and only 8 weeks) so it shouldn’t take long.
- Week 1: Golden Spruce
- Week 2: Abraham Lincoln
- Week 3: West Point
- Week 4: Thomas Edison
- Week 5: Fulton Paddleboat
- Week 6: Ghost Town
- Week 7: Sleepy Hollow
- Week 8: Spanish Doubloon (and Fireplace)
Just a reminder: Since the details were getting so long, I’ve split this post into detailed reviews of each week’s challenge. Check back here, where I’ll update this list with links to each review, or keep an eye out for the detailed reviews.
If you want to discuss the overall game theory, discuss it here please, and leave the other entries for challenge-specific information.
Update August 15, 2006: For those who have been waiting, the answer has been posted.
We were indeed looking for the Star Spangled Banner at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Apparently either Smithsonian and/or The National Museum of American History was accepted as a correct answer. The ten winners names have been posted.
Thanks, RobH, for the pointer to the post, and to everyone for playing along! If anyone who participated here was among them, congratulations and good luck in the contest!
Comments
144 responses to “Treasure Hunters Challenge”
I answered Lincoln Memorial because of the image that looked wavy in the cryptex room. Food for thought, even though the two buildings aren’t close enough to get the same point of view as if you were in the cryptex room, the U.S. Department of Commerce has the oldest (early) aquarium (reef) in America and it is in the basement (that would give you the p.o.v. that you had in the cryptex room).
I totally agree with zag66, I came to the same conclusion. St. George Lighthouse reef.
Perhaps the reef has to do with the raising of the flag in Iwo Jima, WWII? One of the most important battles during the war had to do with the struggles the military had in the Gilbert Islands Reef.
Any thoughts?
I totally think it is in the reflecting pool.
Remember to save the pennies. Wait, does Abraham Lincoln have anything to do with this?
Ok, I agree with everyone on who thinks about the SSB. I think we are all on the same page there, but is the REEF part that we can’t put together. well, what if the REEF is an acronym. R.E.E.F. is there a name for the program at the Smithsonian? Repair, something, something, Flag? But either way, it points to the Smithsonian. What do you guys think?
It’s getting close to “zero” hour, whats anybody’s best guess for an answer?
This last clue has thrown me as well. I was positive it was the flag at the Smithsonian’s NMAH … which still works if REEF is an acronym for “FREE” as there is no charge to the museum. But now it’s completely thrown me — I’m now wondering if it is a naval term and the hints refer to the USS Constitution in Boston Harbor, or another symbol like the Monument overloooking the Mall. Damn you, Treasure Hunter-Hint-Writing-Guy!
The clue about an early drinking song is the Star Bangled Banner. Does this mean we are looking for a flag somewhere? I think the clue look on water for inspiration might mean the Statue of Liberty.
I am sure its the SSB at NMAH. The individual clues make many references to the song “Star-Spangled Banner” (especially #’s 2-5). I would go into it further, but most here have said it already….
I’m trying to figure out what “reef” means too. Besides being a coral reef it also refers to a sail. I agree with sakee that it refers to the flag laid out in the NMAH.