In case you're just joining us, here's a quick recap of Letterboxing:
It's an excuse to take a walk ... with a big ol' twist of adventure. It's part treasure hunt, part stamp collecting, and a whole lot of fun! Letterboxes are hidden and clues are posted online. Your goal is to find the box, and stamp the log book. Doesn't this sound like the perfect activity to try with your kids? Spend a weekend afternoon as a family, tracking down clues and discovering treasure! You may also want to read PART 1 in this series.
Now, on with the fun ... it's time to let the adventure begin! Your first stop is a really important one because it's the only way you'll know where you're going. It's the place where all the clues are kept, and it's just a click away. There are two primary websites: Letterboxing North America and Atlas Quest. I really like the advanced search function at Atlas Quest. It allows you to choose location, distance, attributes, stamp type, and hike type. In addition, each set of clues includes symbols that tell you information like what type of hike to expect, whether or not you'll need a compass, and if it's pet-friendly.
For example, I searched for letterboxes within 15 miles of Duvall and found several manageable first attempts, all about a mile in length or less:
- Redmond Ridge: Three Billy Goats Gruff at Farrell McWhirter Park takes adventurers on the trails, bridges and by the farm animals. There are many other letterboxes hidden in this park, as well.
- Monroe: Whoo Whoo’s Hiding? is found at Lord Hill Regional Park.
- Carnation: Get to the Point! Takes you on a lovely walk along the Tolt River (I walk here several times a week – this might become my first letterbox!).
- Snohomish: There are about 20 boxes hidden at Flowing Lakes
- Duvall: Explore the hidden Moss Lake Natural Area.
Every set of clues also includes links to the exact location on Google Maps, a helpful feature for getting your bearings and determining how far you'll have to travel to the clue's starting point.
Both websites are easy to navigate, and you'll find that letterboxing has a very welcoming community of finders and hiders.
As you head out on your Letterboxing Adventure, letterboxing.org encourages you to keep a few things in mind:
- The most important things to remember when letterboxing are respect and safety. Respect for the environment and for the letterbox that someone has created and your personal safety.
- When you arrive at the location of the letterbox by following the clues, make sure that there aren’t others around when you go to retrieve it to prevent its location from being discovered by non-letterboxers who might not respect the letterbox.
- Once you’ve retrieved the letterbox, move a bit away from the hiding spot before opening it. If someone comes along and asks what you’re doing, be creative!
- Please be sure to reseal baggies and boxes carefully so that they stay dry and rehide boxes in their original location, completely hidden from view.
- Leave the area just as you found it - or better. Replace rocks that you move, don't pull out plants or rip up the ground looking for the letterbox.
- Respect wildlife in the area; you are a visitor in their home.
- And, of course, consider your own safety; use common sense.
Good luck as you embark on your first Letterboxing adventure. I'd love to hear about your experience, tell us all about it in the comments below or on the Facebook Fan page.
