Some say it’s the “best-kept secret in St. Paul”: The identity of the scribe whose words send hundreds of people into the January cold — often at midnight — to dig for treasure.
Who is the clue writer for the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt?
We at the Pioneer Press know that you think we know the clue writer. We don’t. We have as many questions as you do about how he/she/they drop all those hints into verse, leading hunters across acres of frozen parks to the medallion and a cool $10K.
So we thought — what do we have to lose? Let’s get a message to the clue writer and ask a few things. With the help of a few Treasure Hunt veterans, we came up with a list.
As expected, a lot of the answers left us scratching our heads even more. Here we go:
Q: Just for fun, what questions may we NOT ask you? Such as, what are your superpowers? Or, are there any shortcuts you could share with a few tens of thousands of readers?
Clue writer: My superpower is nonlinear thinking. You may not ask me where the medallion is hidden. There are no shortcuts, unless you want to follow TheMapGuy.
Q: On that note, do you have any advice for this year’s hunt?
CW: Stay calm. Be nice. Dress warmly. Be safe. Search, do not destroy. Have fun.
Q: Are you one person, or are more people involved?
CW: Yes.
Q: Are there sacred Clue Writers’ texts? Something bearing the wisdom and collective intelligence passed down to Clue Writers over the generations?
CW: Sacred or profane, you decide. I do love St. Paul.
Q: How do you even get started writing those mind-boggling clues? What is your process?
CW: I take three shots of whiskey, then strap myself to a chair until they’re done.
Q: Do you walk among us? Do you drive through the park or wander among the hunters during the search? How closely do you watch what’s going on?
CW: Walk among us — like Jesus? I guess so.
Q: What’s your time frame? How early do you decide on a park/public space?
CW: I think about it all year, have lunch, snoop around, and then pick a spot.
Q: How do you make sure no one sees you hiding the medallion? (We’ve all seen the videos, shot in broad daylight …) And do you have a backup plan, in case someone does? Would you pick another park?
CW: Well, my other superpower is invisibility, so that comes in handy. And I did it in the dark this year.
Q: Do you hope the hunt always lasts into 12 clues? Do you think it makes for a better hunt, or do you hope a few people break from the pack early?
CW: Twelve clues is fun, but I probably made it too hard if it goes that long. I shoot for 9 to 11, but am happy if it gets to 8.
Q: How much does the weather affect your plan? Such as whether there’s enough snow to hide it? Have you ever had to hide it all over again?
CW: Weather, as you can imagine, is a factor — the colder and snowier, the longer the hunt.
Q: Have you ever had to change clues midstream because you’ve stumped us?
CW: Stumping you is hard to do.
Q: Do you ever worry you’ll run out of parks? We’re a pretty big group now, so we need a lot of space …
CW: Yes. I need more parks. Big parks with lots of trees and tall, thick grasses.
Q: Will the State Fair ever be fair game again? (Some of us would love to combine our deep knowledge of two annual obsessions.)
CW: I don’t know — it would be fun if it was.
Q: Is there a term limit for Clue Writers? How do you find the next one? Do you scout for talent? Offer apprenticeships?
CW: Term limit? Apparently not! All of our clue writers must earn an industry certification and join the union.
Q: Will there ever be a hunt where the medallion isn’t disguised in ice/grass/diaper/whatever?
CW: Naked came the hunt? Sure, why not?
Q: How about going back to two clues a day?
CW: That was when there were two newspapers.
Q: Does your spouse know you’re the Clue Writer?
CW: Just a second, let me find out …
The Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt, presented by Fury Jeep, begins with the first clue on Sunday — but early Sunday editions are available at newsstands Saturdays. For details, go to the Treasure Hunt page.
Copyright 2018 Pioneer Press.
