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Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #967578 by Neoterra
Oct 31, 2018 9:34am
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Do many of you go out much for letterboxing in winter?

In Alaska, no, not usually. When I have tried, I tend to find boxes well frozen to the ground. In fact, I still have two I know of that I have not made a trip back to try again yet for that reason now that I am thinking about it... However the ones around Anchorage (assuming that is where you are located) are at least worth trying in winter since you don't have to spend a lot of time outside.

Id like to hear thoughts on keeping the hobby alive as we head into winter. I'm brand new, like I don't have a stamp yet. Just been trying to read here and start preparing from there because I truly love the idea.

I solve mystery clues all the time. Not just local ones; anywhere I think I MIGHT travel at some point in the quasi-near future since often times, those take more effort to figure out.

You can also work on a stamp and try some carving to see how it goes. When I first learned of letterboxing I went to the local park, followed clues, found a box, look at everything then put it back and went home. Over the next six weeks stamps were designed and carved, markers and logbooks were purchased and then finally a return trip was made to that first box to "officially" find it.
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #967578 by Neoterra
Oct 31, 2018 11:19am
Thread (disabled) Board
Yes, absolutely, go outside all winter, especially if you live in the north or you will get cabin fever. I do look for letterboxes if the snow isn't too deep, but just go out there with the attitude that I have a low probability of finding the box (unless it's an actual snow box, but no one seems to plant those in my parts). Getting a high quality pair of microspikes made a huge difference for me because our trails get very icy, and now I can walk on them like they are sidewalks.
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #967608 by Eidolon
Oct 31, 2018 2:25pm
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I like that idea
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #967618 by Trailhead Tessie
Oct 31, 2018 2:26pm
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Micro spikes are those like yack tracks and such?
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #967578 by Neoterra
Nov 4, 2018 12:03am
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While I cannot speak for an Alaskan winter, I have boxed in snowy conditions from NY to mountain passes of WY. It’s possible but certainly adds a new dimension of difficulty. I have come to impassible roads, obscured or buried clue landmarks and just many feet of snow to dig through to get a box. That’s not to mention snow getting into all the books and crannies, burrr! There is usually a more shallow ring of snow at the base of a tree so at least there’s that.
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #967639 by Neoterra
Nov 4, 2018 4:14am
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Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #967897 by Trailhead Tessie
Nov 4, 2018 8:55am
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Ya those microspikes aren't messing around. Thanks. I think I'm gonna mostly go with starting my carving and coming up with items needed, planning, learning, getting prepared for spring. And maybe some indoor planting. It's just started turning here. I'd just like to put it out there that I welcome letterboxers to my area of the Kenai peninsula please. It's sparser letterboxing in alaska but it does exist and I want to help it grow. Summer here can be amazing and longer than you'd think too. Whatever I plant I'll put details about traffic times of year and weather times of year.
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #967913 by Neoterra
Nov 12, 2018 4:31pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Hi Neoterra!

I'm on the Kenai Peninsula too! Let me know if you have any questions - I'm still a bit of a newbie as well (few years) but I've been all over Alaska letter-boxing. :)
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #968276 by AKPilotGirl
Nov 12, 2018 10:23pm
Thread (disabled) Board
That's amazing. I've just barely practiced my first stamp 😂.
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #967578 by Neoterra
Dec 13, 2018 10:25pm
Thread (disabled) Board
In Alaska, no, I do not box in winter. In Hawaii, sure. In Alaska, the boxes are buried in snow and generally frozen to the ground. Plus, if you try and get the boxes off the frozen ground, you risk breaking them. That's the worst.

Try postals. They're fun. :)
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #967578 by Neoterra
Dec 14, 2018 3:26pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Here in Maine, people do box during the winter. But the famous Mudflinginfools is again hosting her overnight boxing event at LL Bean. There is going to be about 200 letterboxes to be found. There are boxes inside and outside. Overnight temps are usually 10 degrees and lower.

At this point, there are over 200 signups for the event.

So to answer your question, yes we box in the winter.

Ray
Happydaze
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #969380 by KnottyKnitterDirtMonkey
Dec 14, 2018 11:11pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Thank you, yes I've been learning to carve, in the chats and learning, and I joined secret Santa tracker. After Christmas maybe I'll come up with some indoor. Honestly I probably could have gotten some outdoor action in October, maybe even November, but I was having car trouble and what's out there is not in walking distance. I'll enjoy spring and summer.
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #969405 by Neoterra
Dec 17, 2018 7:23pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Fair warning: October is a relatively difficult time to box for safety reasons. Bears are usually still on the hunt for that last fall/summer meal, so it's best to avoid roaming the woods that time of year. Spring is messy, but the boxes are usually unfrozen from the ground by mid May if they are in a sunnier spot. We've gone out in April and they've still been quite frozen. Again, with that time of year, the bears are waking up, so avoid the deep woods ones until mid summer. Don't know if you're new here, but as lifelong residents, just thought I would throw you a few nuggets of knowledge to get you started here.
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #967578 by Neoterra
Dec 18, 2018 1:14pm
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Hi and welcome to a great hobby.
We used to go out all the time in winter but now my better half (hubby) can't take the cold due to health issuessssssss....bummer. And the boxers that live closest to me don't do cold weather either......again..bummer.
Get yourself a stamp either hand made or store bought and get going! Happy holidays.
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #969495 by KnottyKnitterDirtMonkey
Dec 20, 2018 1:15am
Thread (disabled) Board
Yes, it's wise to avoid the bears, were aware. Good to talk about though.
Re: Winter
Board: State: Alaska
Reply to: #969505 by a knitwit
Dec 20, 2018 1:17am
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I have officially carved myself my first signature stamp and some others. Again I'm in Alaska. Not much outdoor boxing right now.