The harsh winds and face-freezing temps weren’t keeping away the hardiest — some admit foolhardiest — of Pioneer Press Treasure Hunters. They’re out there, determined to unearth the $10,000 prize the medallion brings.
As wind-chill values hit 43 below Tuesday, the Treasure Hunt pressed ahead.
Many digging for the medallion on the 10th day have zeroed in on a windswept swath of shoreline in the nearly 190-acre Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton.
Under such dangerous conditions, the New Brighton Public Safety Department was on park patrol. Officer Mike Honkanen said he was driving through every hour, making sure safety prevailed. His message to hunters: “Make sure you’re bundled up and stay warm. We certainly don’t want anyone getting frostbite.”
He was preaching to the choir.
“I’ve got about six layers on and no exposed skin,” said John Webster of White Bear Township. His medallion-hunting buddy, Robert Liggins of St. Paul, had four layers and the same.
Hunter Jason Stride called it having the “right bundle.” Stride left the 50-degree daytime temperatures of Portland, Ore., to take part in this week’s hunt; he lived here for eight years and caught the bug. He had no regrets Tuesday.
“The best thing to do when you get cold is start digging,” he said.
Folks were also taking warm-up breaks in their cars and trucks — a dozen or so parked right on Long Lake.
“I thought I would last longer than I did,” said Madison Moody of St. Paul, getting into her car after an hour hunting. She was wearing insulated coveralls.
In Monday’s relative warmth, some hunters were ordering pizza for delivery; on Tuesday they’d given in to the elements and gone somewhere to warm up over lunch or asked friends to deliver hot food to be eaten quickly.
Lifelong Treasure Hunter Kathy Sauerwein of White Bear Lake said her coffee froze as she dug.
Why hassle Tuesday’s ferocity, even if it could net her a cool $10,000?
“It’s so exciting,” she said. “I figured if I don’t come out I’m not a true Minnesotan.”
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