Show HN: I started treasure hunt in Blue Ridge. It's Day 7. Prize is up to $36k+ (opens in new tab)

(countdowntreasure.com)

12 pointsadamhowell5mo ago6 comments

I modeled it after last year's Project Skydrop (http://projectskydrop.com)

* 24/7 web cam trained on the treasure of $26k in gold coins * shrinking circle (100 miles today) showing its location and updating every morning * premium option for aerial photos that go higher and higher every morning. $10 from every premium upgrade goes towards the pot

Over 5k people have joined so far. Good local media attention but nothing national yet. There's a private community for premium users and it's actually been pretty fun with people posting photos of their hikes and sharing their updates.

If you've ever thought about doing something crazy like this feel free to AM(almost)A about the hunt

6 comments

colinbartlett5mo ago

How much has the value of the gold coins changed since you started it?

adamhowellOP5mo ago

Gold has gone up 8% but just yesterday I conservatively updated the value by 4%

Gertig5mo ago

Did the raccoon on the trail camera steal any of the gold coins? lol

This is super fun.

adamhowellOP5mo ago

He did not! It was all still there. Too slippery for his tiny hands!

sudo7125mo ago

Sounds fun. How did you start it? I mean the initial users?

adamhowellOP5mo ago

Stressful but yeah so far lots of fun.

Yeah it's a good question, because it's important to start with as much of a jolt as you can.

I launched the hunt the same day it got covered in a local popular Charlotte NC newsletter:

https://tinymoney.com/2025/10/09/treasure-hunt-nc-gold-coins...

So that helped kickstart it and was always part of the plan when I decided to actually do it.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

Show HN: I started treasure hunt in Blue Ridge. It's Day 7. Prize is up to $36k+ (opens in new tab)

(countdowntreasure.com)

12 pointsadamhowell5mo ago6 comments

I modeled it after last year's Project Skydrop (http://projectskydrop.com)

If you've ever thought about doing something crazy like this feel free to AM(almost)A about the hunt

6 comments

colinbartlett5mo ago

How much has the value of the gold coins changed since you started it?

adamhowellOP5mo ago

Gold has gone up 8% but just yesterday I conservatively updated the value by 4%

Gertig5mo ago

Did the raccoon on the trail camera steal any of the gold coins? lol

This is super fun.

adamhowellOP5mo ago

He did not! It was all still there. Too slippery for his tiny hands!

sudo7125mo ago

Sounds fun. How did you start it? I mean the initial users?

adamhowellOP5mo ago

Stressful but yeah so far lots of fun.

Yeah it's a good question, because it's important to start with as much of a jolt as you can.

I launched the hunt the same day it got covered in a local popular Charlotte NC newsletter:

https://tinymoney.com/2025/10/09/treasure-hunt-nc-gold-coins...

So that helped kickstart it and was always part of the plan when I decided to actually do it.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse