Lust for Gold, at its core, is about outdoor adventure and the thrill of the hunt. The Lust For Gold Treasure Hunt brought that excitement to participants across America for an event full of creativity and exploration. And just like in the movie, technology met the hunt for treasure—but without the unforgiving terrain.
The results are in, and we want to congratulate our Lust For Gold Treasure Hunt winner, Jennifer MacNeil from Spearfish, South Dakota – her treasure hunting savvy, creativity, and dedication have earned her $400 of backpacking gear!

Meet LFG Treasure Hunt Winner Jennifer MacNeil!
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
“Nearly a year ago my husband and I decided to sell most of our belongings and embark on an epic (possibly never-ending) roadtrip. We sold our home and bought an RV. We established residency in South Dakota and once Fall arrived we started heading to the Southwest. We have been exploring the Southwest ever since and love this area of the country. I took a job for the summer in Escalante, Utah so we have been here since May. The landscape is spectacular. We are both photographers and started a YouTube channel as well about our journey and adventures. We are MacNeils on Wheels. I also write a weekly blog which we post on our website. I really love learning and will never stop doing so as we travel, meet new people, learn about history and different cultures. Prior to doing this I worked for most of my adult life at a non-profit agency providing mental health and housing services for adults with disabilities. I was a clinical supervisor there and loved my work and the people I worked with. It was tough to leave it behind, but I’ve found other ways to have a positive impact on those around me since we’ve hit the road and I am so happy to have the freedom to go where I want and have full control of so much of my time. I love to read, write, take photos, cook for people, make new friends, explore new places, cross stitch, puzzle, and build miniatures.”
Why did you enter the Lust For Gold Treasure Hunt?
“I love puzzles and challenges. I was in Arizona for the winter when I first heard about it and had been considering buying a metal detector and doing some treasure hunting of my own so this seemed like a great activity to help me get into it.”
Any plans for your new backpacking equipment?
“We are here in Utah until November I think and there’s so much to see and explore here though most of the coolest stuff is in very remote wilderness which is tough to get to. There are lots of slot canyons we would like to explore as well as the Jacob Hamlin arch in Coyote Gulch and the Cosmic Ashtray. Having the right gear will help us to make these treks safely and also enable us to overnight camp so we can capture the Milky Way at these locations as we have some specialty photographing night sky.”
What was the first thing that went through your mind when you found out you’d won?
“I was happy and excited. I did work diligently to complete as many of the challenges as I could and I think that there was only one that I did not complete.”