Rob Zeiler stands in front of the latest location from his viral treasure hunt. He maintains a piece of silver, is back there at Piper's Lagoon Park....somewhere. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

x marks the spot

‘Walking the path probably isn’t enough:’ Nanaimo treasure hunt draws thousands into local parks

Jun 2, 2023 | 4:05 PM

NANAIMO — The chase is on for locals involved in a real-world, old-school treasure hunt.

Rob Zeiler, a new resident of Nanaimo from Alberta, said he was inspired by the natural beauty of Vancouver Island and wanted to find a way to share his joy with those who may have become jaded to their surroundings.

“It was the sheer elation that I found everywhere I went on this Island and Nanaimo, the sights and things to do and see were just blowing my mind. I felt like sharing that with as many as possible and I thought getting them out on an old-school treasure hunt would be the way to do it.”

Last week, Zeiler and his fellow silversmith Kevin Driver created and hid a small piece in Neck Point Park. It was found later the same day which prompted a 2.8-ounce piece to be placed at Transfer Beach Park in Ladysmith.

Less than two days later, the piece was found and a third round began at Piper’s Lagoon Park on Tuesday, May 30

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As of 2:30 p.m., during a site visit with NanaimoNewsNOW the piece, valued around $75, was still there.

“By the end of Transfer Beach we knew there was going to be a bunch of this because there were hundreds of people out looking and this is proof of that as well, there’s been hundreds down here at Piper’s as well,” Zeiler said while checking on the secret location.

Zeiler gives hints on a handful of Facebook pages, including one he set up for the game called Vancouver Island Treasure Hunting.

Hints for the Piper’s location include: “ye may have to walk the plank”, “i can see glass but not sea glass from here”, “worry not, there is shelter ahead”, “66/84 – 45/77” and “this is something you do when you find somewhere you love.”

A steady stream of people went in and out of Piper’s Lagoon Park on Friday afternoon, some out for a walk, others hunting for treasure. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The hiding spots are always above the high tide line, so not to encourage any overly dangerous exploration, and each post encourages people not to put themselves at risk.

The ideal hiding spot for Zeiler is pretty simple.

“Somewhere not too easy to find, somewhere that you’ve got to be out and about and working at it a bit. The thought is the hints will lead you there however just walking the path probably isn’t enough, you’ve got to be searching a bit.”

Among the searchers Friday afternoon were Shea MacDonald and her father.

Recently arriving in Nanaimo from Ontario, MacDonald said she was told of the hunt by her dad and they both decided to come for a look.

Even with the hints, they both came up empty.

“The plank definitely has something to do with wood, see glass but not sea glass I think is maybe the lighthouse or the windows over here. I have no idea what the numbers mean and the shelter has to mean some sort of makeshift wooden shelter somebody’s made out here.”

The 24-year-old MacDonald added the prize was in the time spent outside and exploring her new surroundings.

“This is something that really encouraged me to come out. This was something that really motivated me to come and enjoy the nice weather.”

Zeiler said they have plenty more games planned for locations in Nanaimo, including an upcoming one at Ammonite Falls.

He and Driver also want to expand the game from Victoria to Campbell River over time.

For now, they’re absorbing the cost of the silver pieces and are hopeful donations will eventually come to help offset some of the materials.

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