Letterboxers Anonymous

Adventure Seekers' Quest

Have you found a letterbox today???

Hi, we're the Adventure Seekers and we're healthily addicted to letterboxing.

You can join the addiction by checking out this website or www.letterboxing.org

 

Welcome to our letterboxing website!

 

Letterboxing = the ultimate treasure hunt with a cerebral twist!!!

Seek discreetly, tread lightly, stamp enthusiastically!!!

 

What is letterboxing???  Letterboxing is a 150 year old treasure hunt hobby that incorporates puzzling clues, orienteering, hiking combined with rubberstamp artistry.  It originated in Dartmoor, England circa 1854 and started gaining popularity in the United States in October 1998 after Smithsonian Magazine published an article depicting the hobby in England.

Seek discreetly, tread lightly, stamp enthusiastically!!!

How do I get started???  First, carve or purchase a rubber stamp with an image/word(s) that bears some importance to you (this will be your signature stamp).  Locate a log book for documenting your future letterboxing adventures (a tiny notebook or sketch pad will suffice--I personally recommend a book that is unlined--the images show up much better).  Purchase an ink stamp pad or nice thick/thin color markers to include in your letterboxing 'satchel'.  Next, locate clues to letterboxes near you AND embark on your adventure!!!

Seek discreetly, tread lightly, stamp enthusiastically!!!

What does a letterbox look like??? The original letterbox consisted of a bottle with a gentleman's calling card inside.  Modern letterboxes typically include a waterproof container (such as a Tupperware or Rubbermaid plastic container), a hand-carved or store-bought rubber stamp, a logbook and a pen.  Creative letterboxers out there boast many other types of letterbox containers--such as wooden boxes, film canisters, envelopes, books, magnetic key-holders, tiny candy tins, the possibilities are endless...  We're amazed almost every time we find a new letterbox with the interesting ideas that letterbox placers have dreamed up!

Seek discreetly, tread lightly, stamp enthusiastically!!!

Where can I find letterbox clues???  Funny you should ask...Search for clues to our various letterboxes by clicking on 'Letterbox Clues' from the menu on the left (if your browser supports 'frames')--otherwise, follow the url:  www.leecomputers.com/letterboxing to the menu.  Or, you can find clues to other letterboxes from around the world at www.letterboxing.org or other various international letterboxing websites.  Not all clues are posted online or to the main letterboxing website. Remember, finding some letterbox clues can prove quite a challenge in itself!

Seek discreetly, tread lightly, stamp enthusiastically!!!

What will you gain from letterboxing??? Personally, our family's experience with letterboxing has been unimaginable & priceless!  It has taken us to places that we would otherwise never have known about.  We've seen animals we've previously never seen in the wild.  We've retraced steps of America's Pioneers.  We've explored waterfalls throughout the United States.  We've watched salmon spawning runs throughout the Pacific Northwest.  We've visited unique geographical features around the country.  This is only the beginning...  The best part about this hobby is that you only participate WHEN YOU WANT TO and you only invest in it WHAT YOU WANT TO!!!  It's relatively inexpensive and before you know it, you'll never look at things the same way again once you start letterboxing!  Welcome to our healthy addiction!!!

Seek discreetly, tread lightly, stamp enthusiastically!!!

 

A little info on our site:

Clue Format:  We listed clues to our letterboxes in a "Bulletin Board" format to make it easier to add/edit clues while we're traveling.  You need not register to read or post messages on this board.

Your Comments are Welcome:  We welcome your comments regarding our boxes or other topics on the forum--in fact, we set the clue site up like this since many of our letterboxes are hidden in places we aren't able to visit very often.  We encourage your  comments regarding the current status of our boxes (email us directly or post on the forum).  However, we would appreciate it if you don't discuss specifics to the clues (unless there is an obvious systemic mistake in the clues i.e. improper pace/step count, azimuth)--otherwise PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE refrain from revealing twists, hiding spots, other specific, intriguing or odd bits about our clues in your posts.  You may drop us an email about these bits if you like.  We respectfully retain the right to delete any posted messages that might reveal said twists.   We especially enjoy letterboxing for its mysterious nature--divulging these morsels of info may ruin the element of mystique for future visitors.

Difficulty Level (clues): The difficulty level of our 'placed' boxes ranges from straightforward to bizarre to quite difficult (unless you're one of those fortunate members of the Mensa Society then you shouldn't have any problems with our boxes--we only wish we could be on your level!). 

Difficulty Level (hikes): Most of our boxes involve at least a small amount of walking/hiking--we typically address the distance involved with the hike if it is more than a short walk or involves extreme circumstances (steep inclines/stairs/boulder scrambling, etc).  Our athletic 4 year old has hiked all of these hikes numerous times with little difficulty (however, she's also hiked some 9 mile days during our adventures--incredible way to get her to go to sleep at night).  Our 1 year old has hiked a few of them, too.  This should give you a feel for the distances/difficulties associated with our letterboxes.  Occasionally, we place some 'drive-by' letterboxes, too.  We like to 'mix-it-up' a bit to allow for folks who are unable to complete longer hikes to also participate in this wonderful hobby.  If you have a question about any given trail to a particular letterbox of ours, please feel free to contact us before your visit and we'll try to address the specifics of the trail (for example--if a trail is stroller or wheelchair friendly).

Letterboxing waiver:  Your safety is paramount!!!  Generally, letterboxing is quite safe.  However, circumstances can always change.  Please remain cautious and vigilant at all times when you engage in this activity!!!  We encourage you to review basic safety/survival skills  for spending time in the outdoors before you proceed on your letterboxing adventure.  We recommend that you carry water, some sort of communication device (cell phone, radio, whistle, signal mirror), map(s), appropriate clothing & other survival (snivel gear as we affectionately call it) equipment when you venture out on your letterboxing treks (& other equipment as you see fit--knife, pepper spray, matches, gore-tex, camera, film, etc.).   Please read the letterboxing waiver before searching for letterboxes.   We especially encourage you to leave your valuables at home when letterboxing--many trailheads are 'high prowl' areas.  Don't give the 'bad eggs' any temptation to further investigate your vehicle/belongings.

Above all else, HAVE FUN and EXPLORE SOMETHING NEW TODAY!!!  You'll be amazed at what you discover out there!

Welcome to Letterboxers Anonymous!!!  

Your letterboxing adventure is about to begin...

Email us!!!   letterbox@leecomputers.com

Seek discreetly, tread lightly, stamp enthusiastically!!!

Last Updated: Tuesday December 09, 2003 06:27 PM