What is Letterboxing?
Waterproof letterboxes contain a small journal, stamp and occasionally an ink pad. When you locate a letterbox, remove the journal and stamp it with your personal stamp. Use the stamp in the waterproof letterbox to stamp your log book.
Return the cache to its hiding spot and be sure no one watches. Unfortunately, there are people who like to pilfer or deface everything they touch.
Letterbox supplies
Your trail name is like your internet username. Choose a name that is personal, a name that means something to you. It might be part of your family name or connected with the state you live in, Montana Hunter or Colorado Capture, make it fun.
A rubber stamp is like your personal avatar. Choose a stamp design that fits your trail name. Design your own and have a craft store cut the design for you or cut your own. It's possible to buy blanks at any craft store. You will use your personal stamp to leave an impression on the journal inside the letterbox.
Pens will be used to write your trail name beside the stamp impression you leave in their journal. Leave a note for the owner if you like, about finding the hidden cache.
A sketch book is your log book. When you find a letterbox, use their stamp in your sketch book. This will give you a visual memory of your find. The stamps of other letterboxers can be very creative and it's fun to get together with other searchers and view the stamp impressions you each have collected.
An ink pad is a necessity. You will use it to stamp the journals with your stamp and then to stamp your journal with their stamp.
Compass
You may never need a compass to locate letterboxes, but, you might. It doesn't have to be fancy. A baseline compass will work quite well. Any local sporting goods store will have one for $5.00-$15.00.
After collecting your supplies, point your browser window to letterboxing or atlas quest. Dozens of letterbox clues are waiting there. After locating clues for a letterbox you would like to find, copy the directions and go find it.
Searching for letterboxes is a fantastic way to spend time with family or friends. After you have found a few letterboxes, hide three or four of your own. Share the fun with others and have a good time.
Sources
Letterboxing.org
atlas quest.com
Published by Gary Allen
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