I'd like to start off by saying I'm a total newbie to the subject of John Swift since I see here people who have been hunting for longer than I've been on this earth
I first become aware of Swift when I lived in Louisville in 2005. Overheard some guys talking about it in a local store in Fort Knox so I started research.
Bought Swift's journal and really became excited about not only treasure, but being able to explore a part of history.
I'm an avid hiker and consider myself to be pretty good in the woods with just my compass and a related topo map, so I looked forward to taking some time off work to camp in the area of Pine Mountain and see if I could get lucky.
However, before I could actually start my hunt, personal matters forced me to move to Florida.
I kinda forgot about the story over time and thought it to maybe be a fairy tale or just local legend since there seem to be so many conflicting variations of the Swift mines, locations, and so on.
By accident I stumbled on this forum today and now I'm a believer. I'm very impressed with the pictures that match precisely what Swift detailed in his journals.
I plan on visiting some friends in KY in April when I take a month off work. It is during this time I'm determined to visit the area in Pine Mountain to see if I can at least see some of the landmarks that others have found.
But after years of reading online and looking at the threads in this forum, I guess I'm overlooking where to start. It seems Swift talks about starting his entry at the forks of the Big Sandy...
I'm not asking for GPS coordinates, but just a good starting location, some landmark, sign, carving that I can ID and get started from.
And now for some questions:
1. Is there a main access road to the area of Swift mines and general "legend"?
2. Can I "legally" just head into the woods or should I be aware of locals as I saw mentioned in another thread where a member say people toting weapons.
3. For all the pictures I see from two members and even coins found, I can't believe that no one has actually found the "treasure" unless A. it's already been found and all that may be left are some loose coins, bars or just historical carvings, signs, etc. or B. Time has destroyed the last remaining signs needed to locate it....who here actually thinks that there is still treasure to be found after 200 odd years?
4. For people being so close and actually locating the caves from the journal, it seems that people either cannot explore the area due to lack of caving experience or the desired areas are blocked. Seems odd because if I "knew" I was within a mile of such a historical find, I'd damn sure find a way in, then again, I'm not talking from experience, just my own feelings.
And secondly in regards to caving experience, why would you need those skills to explore caves that Swift stored treasure in or other artifacts, I'm sure he didn't use such gear or skills to stash his caches.
Anyways, I give great credit to those members on this forum for their hard work and dedication to the prize.
You guys are amazing!
I first become aware of Swift when I lived in Louisville in 2005. Overheard some guys talking about it in a local store in Fort Knox so I started research.
Bought Swift's journal and really became excited about not only treasure, but being able to explore a part of history.
I'm an avid hiker and consider myself to be pretty good in the woods with just my compass and a related topo map, so I looked forward to taking some time off work to camp in the area of Pine Mountain and see if I could get lucky.
However, before I could actually start my hunt, personal matters forced me to move to Florida.
I kinda forgot about the story over time and thought it to maybe be a fairy tale or just local legend since there seem to be so many conflicting variations of the Swift mines, locations, and so on.
By accident I stumbled on this forum today and now I'm a believer. I'm very impressed with the pictures that match precisely what Swift detailed in his journals.
I plan on visiting some friends in KY in April when I take a month off work. It is during this time I'm determined to visit the area in Pine Mountain to see if I can at least see some of the landmarks that others have found.
But after years of reading online and looking at the threads in this forum, I guess I'm overlooking where to start. It seems Swift talks about starting his entry at the forks of the Big Sandy...
I'm not asking for GPS coordinates, but just a good starting location, some landmark, sign, carving that I can ID and get started from.
And now for some questions:
1. Is there a main access road to the area of Swift mines and general "legend"?
2. Can I "legally" just head into the woods or should I be aware of locals as I saw mentioned in another thread where a member say people toting weapons.
3. For all the pictures I see from two members and even coins found, I can't believe that no one has actually found the "treasure" unless A. it's already been found and all that may be left are some loose coins, bars or just historical carvings, signs, etc. or B. Time has destroyed the last remaining signs needed to locate it....who here actually thinks that there is still treasure to be found after 200 odd years?
4. For people being so close and actually locating the caves from the journal, it seems that people either cannot explore the area due to lack of caving experience or the desired areas are blocked. Seems odd because if I "knew" I was within a mile of such a historical find, I'd damn sure find a way in, then again, I'm not talking from experience, just my own feelings.
And secondly in regards to caving experience, why would you need those skills to explore caves that Swift stored treasure in or other artifacts, I'm sure he didn't use such gear or skills to stash his caches.
Anyways, I give great credit to those members on this forum for their hard work and dedication to the prize.
You guys are amazing!