How to Place a Letterbox

Letterboxing is very much an internet aided treasure hunt. Most letterboxers search for their booty using clues and hints found on the internet. Once found, the letterboxer’s personal stamp is imprinted in the found box’s logbook and vice versa, leaving a permanent record of letterboxers who have found individual boxes and all of the boxes an individual letterboxer has located. Some letterboxers opt to both hunt for and place letterboxes. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Waterproof, plastic container
• Stamp, preferably hand carved
• Logbook
• Inkpad
• Pencil or pen
• Clear zipper bag (optional)

1. Make the letterbox. A basic letterbox should be made from a waterproof container with a stamp, logbook and inkpad. A mechanical pencil or click pen makes a nice addition.

2. Find a spot to place the letterbox. The ideal spot is readily accessible to the public, yet somewhat out of view. A knothole in a tree in a park, for example.

3. Choose a starting point to lead to the hiding place. Move from the starting point to the hiding place, keeping careful notes to be translated into clues. Place the box and step away to make sure that it is hidden.

4. Transform the notes into clues for finding the letterbox. Write them out in an organized, step by step manner. Do a run-through to test them and see if anything is missing or incorrect.

5. Test the instructions. Give them to a friend to follow. Time the friend and note any questions or issues with finding the letterbox according to the clues given. Make any adjustments necessary.

6. Post the instructions on a letterboxing site such as Atlas Quest or Letterboxing North America. Be sure to include contact information so letterboxes can ask questions or share information about the box’s condition.

7. Check on the box periodically. Look for leaks or holes and make sure the inkpad is still moist. Replenish ink and the logbook when needed. Replace the container if it becomes compromised or shows signs of obvious wear.

Tips & Warnings

• Update the online listings if the box is retired or lost so other letterboxers know not to go on a wild goose chase.
• Never dig a hole for the letterbox. Letterboxing is a low-impact outdoor activity, which means that care should be taken in preserving the sanctity of the box’s location both when searching for and when placing letterboxes. Look for natural hiding spots like knotholes in trees instead.
• Listing clues on Atlas Quest and Letterboxing North America requires a login. Both sites offer free membership accounts.

Resources

• Letterboxing North America
• Atlas Quest