Letterboxing is a fun and exciting activity that combines hiking, orienteering, and puzzle-solving. It involves finding hidden boxes “letterboxes,” using a series of clues. If you’re new to letterboxing, here are the basics to get you started:
- Get a Logbook and a Personal Stamp
Before you start letterboxing, you’ll need a logbook to keep track of the letterboxes you find. You can buy a pre-made logbook, or you can make your own using a small notebook or journal.
A personal stamp is helpful to mark the letterbox logbook of your visit but is not essential as you can sign your name with a pen.
If you decide to have a personal stamp, it can be anything from a simple design to a more intricate one.
- Find Clues
The next step is to find clues to help you locate the letterboxes.
Clues can be found on letterboxing websites, such as Atlas Quest, Letterboxing on Dartmoor, or in local letterboxing groups. They can also be exchanged by word of mouth or in books! The clues can be anything from riddles to GPS coordinates, and they’re designed to help lead you to the letterbox location.
- Follow the Clues
Once you have the clues, it’s time to follow them. You’ll need to use your problem-solving skills and attention to detail to figure out where the letterbox is hidden. The clues may lead you to a specific landmark, such as a tree or a statue, or they may describe a set of directions to follow.
- Stamp Your Logbook
When you find the letterbox, use the unique stamp found inside to mark your logbook. Use your own personal stamp or a pen to mark the letterbox logbook too, this way, other letterboxers can see that you’ve found it, and you can also see who has found it before you.
- Re-hide the Letterbox
Once you’ve collected your unique stamp and logged your visit, carefully re-hide the letterbox in its original location so that others can enjoy the challenge of finding it too.
There you have it, the basics of letterboxing, a fun and exciting activity that combines hiking, orienteering and puzzle-solving. Follow the basics, and you’ll have a great time hunting these boxes and collecting their unique stamps in your logbook whilst exploring the great outdoors.
Now you know the basics, go out and give letterboxing a go.
Shropshire Letterboxing 