Finding Methuselah

MooMoo2 · 2017-10-09, 21:18

No, this isn't a sequel to Finding Nemo or Finding Dory. It's a search for the world's oldest known living (non-clonal) organism, which is a ~4800 year old tree. The tree, Methuselah, is hidden somewhere in the White Mountains of California. There are supposedly only around 50 people in the world who know exactly where it is, which is approximately equal to the number of known Mersenne primes:
http://www.ocregister.com/2012/08/06...tten-the-book/

I spent the past few weeks searching around for clues about the tree. It was like putting pieces of a puzzle together, and there was no shortage of misleading info and dead ends. But eventually, as the pieces came together, I felt that I had what I needed to track down the tree's location.

I set out on the drive there last weekend, grabbed all my gear, and frantically charged through the mountains in search of Methuselah. Due to some last-minute problems with my car, I started out on the trail later than I had originally expected to, and looking for the tree after sunset would become exponentially more difficult. But just before I was about to call it a day, I found it, hiding in plain sight not far from where I stood. I was close to giving up hope, and finding the tree after all that effort was like finding a Mersenne prime. There were so few people who knew where it was, and out of those people, I might have been the only one who was a member of the general public, without a background related to forestry or earth-science.

So here I am back home, sitting on a ton of pictures and video of the Methuselah tree, as well as proof that the tree I found was indeed Methuselah. And while it does feel great to share my discovery, I'm not sure how much info I should put out here. The Forest Service's justification for keeping the tree secret was the fear that some people would take bits of the tree home as souvenirs, carve their names into the wood, or even chop or burn the whole tree down. A tree that has survived the Egyptian pyramids, the Roman Empire, the Industrial Revolution, and the Atomic Age shouldn't be brought down by folks looking for their 15 minutes of fame on Instagram.

But there's also value in not missing the forest for the trees, so I've attached a cool picture of the area. Enjoy!

ixfd64 · 2017-10-09, 21:34

I bet 4chan could find it if they tried: https://barstoolsports.com/barstoolu...reat-again-hat

Nick · 2017-10-09, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooMoo2

But just before I was about to call it a day, I found it, hiding in plain sight not far from where I stood.,, A tree that has survived the Egyptian pyramids, the Roman Empire, the Industrial Revolution, and the Atomic Age...

Wow!

kladner · 2017-10-09, 23:06

Stunning! I appreciate your discretion. People are all too often callously destructive.

Dr Sardonicus · 2017-10-09, 23:12

And while it does feel great to share my discovery, I'm not sure how much info I should put out here. The Forest Service's justification for keeping the tree secret was the fear that some people would take bits of the tree home as souvenirs, carve their names into the wood, or even chop or burn the whole tree down. A tree that has survived the Egyptian pyramids, the Roman Empire, the Industrial Revolution, and the Atomic Age shouldn't be brought down by folks looking for their 15 minutes of fame on Instagram.[/QUOTE]

Congratulations on meeting Methuselah face-to-face!

I'd say, give as little information as possible that might help anyone else find it.

6 Famous Trees Killed by Human Folly

kladner · 2017-10-09, 23:54

Re: link
~~The drunk driver and the alleged scientist are perhaps the most revolting characters in these tales.~~....scratch that. They are all disgusting.

richs · 2017-10-10, 01:18

Congratulations and keep it top secret.

Uncwilly · 2017-10-10, 01:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooMoo2

There were so few people who knew where it was, and out of those people, I might have been the only one who was a member of the general public, without a background related to forestry or earth-science.
......
And while it does feel great to share my discovery, I'm not sure how much info I should put out here.
......
But there's also value in not missing the forest for the trees, so I've attached a cool picture of the area. Enjoy!

While the TV personality Huell Howser is dead, his long time cameraman was with him when they were taken there by the USNPS staff. I think that they were sworn to secrecy.

Don't share anything more online than you already have.

The photo of the area will suffice.

retina · 2017-10-10, 05:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooMoo2

I'm not sure how much info I should put out here.

Respect your elders. Let it live in peace.

MooMoo2 · 2017-10-10, 05:49

Thanks for the replies and feedback, everyone!

Just one bit of clarification about the photo - it was taken somewhere within the few square miles of forest that contains many of the world's oldest trees. Methuselah is not necessarily visible in that image.

That's all of the information I'll provide, so hopefully (as retina said), it can live in peace

The Carnivore · 2017-10-11, 18:20

I have managed to dig up some pictures of Prometheus (see attached) when it was alive. It may have been older than Methuselah when it was chopped down.

2017-10-09, 21:18	#1
MooMoo2 Aug 2010 3·5·41 Posts	Finding Methuselah No, this isn't a sequel to Finding Nemo or Finding Dory. It's a search for the world's oldest known living (non-clonal) organism, which is a ~4800 year old tree. The tree, Methuselah, is hidden somewhere in the White Mountains of California. There are supposedly only around 50 people in the world who know exactly where it is, which is approximately equal to the number of known Mersenne primes: http://www.ocregister.com/2012/08/06...tten-the-book/ I spent the past few weeks searching around for clues about the tree. It was like putting pieces of a puzzle together, and there was no shortage of misleading info and dead ends. But eventually, as the pieces came together, I felt that I had what I needed to track down the tree's location. I set out on the drive there last weekend, grabbed all my gear, and frantically charged through the mountains in search of Methuselah. Due to some last-minute problems with my car, I started out on the trail later than I had originally expected to, and looking for the tree after sunset would become exponentially more difficult. But just before I was about to call it a day, I found it, hiding in plain sight not far from where I stood. I was close to giving up hope, and finding the tree after all that effort was like finding a Mersenne prime. There were so few people who knew where it was, and out of those people, I might have been the only one who was a member of the general public, without a background related to forestry or earth-science. So here I am back home, sitting on a ton of pictures and video of the Methuselah tree, as well as proof that the tree I found was indeed Methuselah. And while it does feel great to share my discovery, I'm not sure how much info I should put out here. The Forest Service's justification for keeping the tree secret was the fear that some people would take bits of the tree home as souvenirs, carve their names into the wood, or even chop or burn the whole tree down. A tree that has survived the Egyptian pyramids, the Roman Empire, the Industrial Revolution, and the Atomic Age shouldn't be brought down by folks looking for their 15 minutes of fame on Instagram. But there's also value in not missing the forest for the trees, so I've attached a cool picture of the area. Enjoy! Attached Thumbnails

2017-10-11, 18:20	#11
The Carnivore Jun 2010 249₁₀ Posts	I have managed to dig up some pictures of Prometheus (see attached) when it was alive. It may have been older than Methuselah when it was chopped down. Attached Thumbnails

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2017-10-09, 21:34	#2
ixfd64 Bemusing Prompter "Danny" Dec 2002 California 2365₁₀ Posts	I bet 4chan could find it if they tried: https://barstoolsports.com/barstoolu...reat-again-hat

2017-10-09, 23:06	#4
kladner "Kieren" Jul 2011 In My Own Galaxy! 10156₁₀ Posts	Stunning! I appreciate your discretion. People are all too often callously destructive.

2017-10-09, 23:12	#5
Dr Sardonicus Feb 2017 Nowhere 3²·13·37 Posts	And while it does feel great to share my discovery, I'm not sure how much info I should put out here. The Forest Service's justification for keeping the tree secret was the fear that some people would take bits of the tree home as souvenirs, carve their names into the wood, or even chop or burn the whole tree down. A tree that has survived the Egyptian pyramids, the Roman Empire, the Industrial Revolution, and the Atomic Age shouldn't be brought down by folks looking for their 15 minutes of fame on Instagram.[/QUOTE] Congratulations on meeting Methuselah face-to-face! I'd say, give as little information as possible that might help anyone else find it. 6 Famous Trees Killed by Human Folly

2017-10-09, 23:54	#6
kladner "Kieren" Jul 2011 In My Own Galaxy! 23654₈ Posts	Re: link ~~The drunk driver and the alleged scientist are perhaps the most revolting characters in these tales.~~....scratch that. They are all disgusting.

2017-10-10, 01:18	#7
richs "Rich" Aug 2002 Benicia, California 1209₁₀ Posts	Congratulations and keep it top secret.

2017-10-10, 05:49	#10
MooMoo2 Aug 2010 615₁₀ Posts	Thanks for the replies and feedback, everyone! Just one bit of clarification about the photo - it was taken somewhere within the few square miles of forest that contains many of the world's oldest trees. Methuselah is not necessarily visible in that image. That's all of the information I'll provide, so hopefully (as retina said), it can live in peace