You’ve probably seen the weird sketches. A flat-topped rock, some spindly trees, and a vague arrow pointing at a cliffside. Honestly, when you first get your hands on the rdr2 jack hall gang map 1, it looks like a toddler’s drawing of a bad vacation. But in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2, these scribbles are the difference between being a broke outlaw and having enough gold to actually buy that fancy horse you've been eyeing in the Saint Denis stable.
Most players stumble into this hunt way too late. They wait until Chapter 4 or 5 when they’re already swimming in cash. That’s a mistake. This is arguably the best "early game" boost you can get. If you know where to look, you can have a pearl necklace and a path to two gold bars ($1,000 total) before you’ve even finished paying off your first bounty.
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The Weird Spanish Explorer and How to Actually Get the Map
First things first: you need the physical piece of paper. You can’t just ride to the treasure location and hope the "Search" prompt appears. It won’t. You have to trigger the stranger mission "All That Glitters."
Look for a guy named Máximo Cristóbal Valdespino. He’s usually hanging out on a ridge overlooking the Dakota River, just northwest of Flatneck Station. He’s a "renowned explorer," or so he says. Basically, he’s a chatty Spaniard who’s in a rush to get to Japan to find a sapphire. He’ll offer you the map for $10.
Don't just pay it.
If you decline his first offer, he’ll drop the price to $5. It’s a small win, but every cent counts when you’re still wearing a worn-out duster and shooting a rusty cattleman revolver. Of course, if you’re playing a low-honor run, you can just hogtie the guy or put a bullet in him and loot the map for free. If he happens to get spooked and runs off before you buy it, don't panic. You can eventually find the map at any Fence for a measly dollar.
Decoding the Sketch: Where is Caliban’s Seat?
The map shows a very specific rock formation. If you look at it, it’s a massive plateau with a distinct "stepped" look on one side. This is Caliban’s Seat. It’s located just south of Valentine. If you’re standing at Horseshoe Overlook (your camp in Chapter 2), you’re actually pretty close.
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Most people ride up to the rock and just stare at the base. You won't find anything there but some bushes and maybe a stray buck. The treasure isn't at the bottom.
- Approach from the southeast. There’s a slope here that’s gentle enough for your horse to climb.
- Ride to the very top until you see a small, abandoned campsite with a tattered tent.
- Face the edge of the cliff. To your right, you’ll see a narrow path leading down the side of the rock face.
This is where it gets sketchy.
The Ledge Walk that Terrifies New Players
Arthur is a big guy, and these ledges are thin. You’re going to want to get off your horse for this part. Walking the ledge of Caliban’s Seat to find the rdr2 jack hall gang map 1 reward is a rite of passage.
Follow the path as it hugs the cliff. You’ll reach a point where the path seemingly ends. It hasn't. You need to jump across a small gap. Don't overthink it; just press the jump button while moving forward. After the jump, you’ll have to mantle over a protruding rock. Keep shimmying along until you see a small, rectangular hole in the white granite wall.
When you "Search" this hole, Arthur will pull out a Pearl Necklace and, more importantly, the second map in the series.
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Why the Pearl Necklace Matters
Don't just sell the necklace to a Fence immediately. Eventually, Tilly Jackson back at camp will ask you for a necklace as a personal request item. Giving it to her improves camp morale and counts toward your "Errand Boy" trophy/achievement. If you sell it, you'll have to find another one elsewhere, which is a pain.
Common Pitfalls and Expert Tips
- Weather Problems: If it’s raining or foggy, the ledge at Caliban’s Seat becomes a nightmare. Visibility is zero, and the "Search" prompt for the granite hole is easy to miss. Wait for a clear day.
- Stamina Management: If you’re doing this very early, your stamina bar is tiny. If you sprint on the ledge and lose your footing, you’re going for a long, lethal drop. Walk, don't run.
- The Second Map: Once you have the second map, you’re heading way north to Cotorra Springs. It’s a long ride, so make sure you’ve got some horse stimulant and some cooked big game meat for yourself.
The rdr2 jack hall gang map 1 is more than just a scavenger hunt. It’s the game’s way of teaching you that the environment isn't just scenery. Everything—every rock, every weirdly shaped tree—could be a landmark.
Actionable Next Steps
Once you have the second map from the cliffside, don't head back to Valentine just yet. You're already in the area, so check your inventory. If you haven't opened the map to look at the geysers of Cotorra Springs, do it now to "register" the quest step. Your next move is to ride north toward the Grizzlies. Just watch out for the Legendary Wolf that stalks the area near the springs; it’s a lot more dangerous than a narrow ledge.