Field Journal

Vollebak has launched what it’s calling the hardest treasure hunt in history. The Extreme Discount Card, already hidden in a remote location somewhere on the planet for more than 18 months, if found, offers the winner free Vollebak clothing for the rest of their life, one of everything they make forever. Vollebak co-founder Nick Tidball said: “It’s like Willy Wonka’s golden ticket, only better. Instead of heart attack-inducing amounts of chocolate, you’ll win enough gear to break your closet.”

Vollebak is a two-year-old startup founded by twin brothers and adventure athletes Nick and Steve Tidball. The twins use science and technology to make some of the world’s most advanced sports gear. This year alone the haul for the winner would include 100 Year Hoodies made entirely out of Kevlar, Solar Charged Jackets that can be charged by the sun and made to glow, Planet Earth Shirts designed to help you thrive in every jungle, mountain, desert and city on Earth, and Relaxation Hoodies that work like isolation tanks.

The Extreme Discount Card is an un-reproducible wooden sculpture about the same size as your wallet. It was hand-carved out of a single piece of Bocote Rosewood by mastercraftsman Saena Ku over the course of three months, and the wood’s unique swirling grain is like a fingerprint that makes it impossible to forge.

The card was then hidden in one of the world’s most remote places by adventurers and former elite military operatives Jason Fox and Aldo Kane.

The only clue to the card’s whereabouts is a five-minute film (see below) shot by Oscar-winning director Orlando Von Einsiedel. Known for his fearless filmmaking in Virunga and White Helmets, Orlando followed Jason and Aldo’s every move, using a GoPro to capture the journey from the card’s perspective. Contained in the film you’ll find all the fragments of information you’d need to go and get it.

While finding it is possible, it’s already been out in the world unannounced for 18 months without anyone coming across it. You’ll be looking for a piece of wood somewhere on the 350 million square kilometres on the surface of earth.

Vollebak co-founder Steve Tidball says: “Adventure has always involved an element of insanity and the unexpected. It requires bravery, experimentation and heading into the unknown because that looks like the most exciting place to go. On a timeline of human history, we’re still in the dawn of adventure. We may no longer sail to blank bits on the map, where finding new worlds, falling off the edge of the Earth, or sailing into a sea monster’s mouth all seem possible. But we’re not ready for Mars yet, or the stars beyond it. We’re still just breakable, excitable human bodies riding giant waves, climbing rock faces with our bare hands, and running across deserts because they’re there. So burying treasure is our way of adding a little extra fun while we’re waiting for our seat on a space rocket.”