How to Letterbox

Letterboxing is an outdoor "treasure hunt". Letterboxers hide small, waterproof boxes in public places like parks, then post the clues to find the boxes online. Letterboxes usually contain a log book, a hand-carved rubber stamp and an ink pad. Finders use the stamp to make an imprint on their log book, then leave an imprint of their personal stamp on the letterbox's log book.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• trail name
• rubber stamp
• ink pen
• sketch book
• ink pad
• compass
• clues

1. Choose a trail name. This will be your letterboxing identity.

2. Choose a rubber stamp. The stamp should have special meaning (perhaps a tent stamp if you love to camp). Stamps can be store-bought.

3. Carry a pen. You'll need it to add your trail name and the date next to your stamp imprint. You can also leave a short personal message.

4. Choose a sketch book. This is your log book, or where you'll stamp imprints of the letterbox stamps you'll find.

5. Carry an ink pad in case the letterbox doesn't contain one.

6. Carry a compass. Letterbox clues can be very specific.

7. Get your clues. A few sites that contain clues are http://www.letterboxing.org and http://www.atlasquest.com (clickable links are provided at the end of this article). Read the clues carefully and print them out to take with you. You may also want to print out a trail map of the area.

8. Stay safe. Never letterbox alone. Let people know where you are hunting for leterboxes.

9. After you've "stamped up", return the container to its precise location.

Tips & Warnings

• Letterboxing can be disappointing. I went letterboxing in the spirit of researching this article. I spent an hour searching for the letterbox (the clues weren't so hot) and finally found the spot where the letterbox should have been, but it was not there). However, I had a blast looking (and so did my daughter...it was a great homeschool project!). Know that you may not find the letterbox, but if you do, it will be thrilling!
• Be physically in shape. I did a lot of climbing!
• Despite my not finding the box, I will definitely go letterboxing again...and I'll be hiding my OWN letterboxes!
• Have fun!
• Watch out for snakes, poison ivy, etc! Don't get lost trying to find a box, or get hurt. Abandon your search if you sense any danger. There are other boxes out there!!

Resources

• An Article on Letterboxing
• Letterboxing.org
• AtlasQuest

[veryirie]

on 10/22/2008 This whole thing is news to me; how fun!