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Welcome to the Traditional Letterboxing board!
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Oct 31, 2004 9:13pm
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This board is where one can discuss traditional letterboxes, or 'normal' letterboxes as they're called on Atlas Quest—which does include mystery boxes. Discuss topics about creating clues, finding good hiding places, and what to do if a cop starts checking you out for 'suspicious' activities. =) Basically, anything related to the planting and finding of your normal, run-of-the-mill letterboxes.
question about hostel boxes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Feb 18, 2005 7:38pm
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Hi everyone. I was wondering about hostel boxes. I have found one and heard of a few more. Now, here is my understanding of hostels, or at least this is the case with the one I found and the others I've heard of. I am under the impression that they are mainly for the purpose of hitch hikers. Several HHs are in the hostel box and when people find the box, they may take out some HHs and replace them with HHs that they have picked up or created. They are kind of intended for people to visit again and again. Even if that person has been there before. Is this correct?

Also, it seems to me like hostels are a little "special." They're not all over the place like regular letterboxes are. They seem to be few and far between. Is there an unspoken (or spoken) rule that there shouldn't be more than one in an area? I had an idea to put out a hostel and fill it with HHs to be swapped around. However, there is one about an hour from me and I don't want to step on toes. Know what I mean? Would it be more appropriate to put a hostel box farther away from the one that is already there?

I haven't had much experience with hostels. As above, I've found one. And I don't hear much about them. Just wondered what is the customary way to handle placing hostels.

Thanks for your input!

TrailStompers :) :) :)
Re: question about hostel boxes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #2302 by Nurse Wanderseek
Feb 19, 2005 12:40pm
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I am wondering the very same things, Trailstompers! I believe the hostel you are referring to is my Hoosier Hostel Shady Rest? I would not be offended in the least if you wanted to put another hostel out there (how about SW Indiana?). In fact, I was considering shutting down my hostel after 1 year. I worry the foot traffic will make its spot easy to detect. I will check it out in spring and make a decision about how much longer it will remain open at its present location. The location is popular because of its central location. I might move it to a more secluded spot.

~speedsquare
Re: question about hostel boxes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #2307 by speedsquare
Feb 19, 2005 6:40pm
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I love the hostel! Although, I have to agree that it's a bit out in the open where it is...I always have to pretend I'm sketching or something whenever I visit it. I would hate to see it shut down, but moving it to a more secretive location would be great! I also wouldn't mind another one in the state of Indiana:)

Artdog
Re: question about hostel boxes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #2307 by speedsquare
Feb 19, 2005 10:22pm
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Hi Speedsquare. Thanks for the input. Yes, the one I was referring to is your Shady Rest one. I can understand having to think about moving it, or shutting it down. Since you say you will not be offended if another one was placed, I will seriously think on placing my own, but would still like to keep it at a distance from yours. Hostels just seem to have a higher, or at least different kind of, value than traditional boxes. I don't expect to have one placed any time really soon. Wanna find an extra good place for it first. What do you think about this...when I put it out, I could give it a name that makes it sound like a plain ol' letterbox. Then when people find it, they get the surprise of finding that it is a hostel. ??? Or is that a bad way to mislead people? Artdog also responded to my question, so I'll send this message to her too and see what she has to say. I really appreciate the input from you two. Thanks!!

Oh, and we fould your RedGold box today. First finders. Looked and looked some more for BSD but still couldn't find it. ????? I hate to ask for more clues from you, so I won't. :) We looked along the ledge of the gorge around the top of the big stairs that come out at a parking lot across from the football field. Looked in many many of the big twiggy bushes. Looked for a beer bottle, even! No luck. Oh well. Maybe another time. :)
Re: question about hostel boxes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #2308 by Artdog
Feb 19, 2005 10:24pm
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Hi Artdog. Thanks for the input. Yes, the one I was referring to is the Shady Rest one. I will seriously think on placing my own, but would still like to keep it at a distance from Shady Rest. Hostels just seem to have a higher, or at least different kind of, value than traditional boxes. I don't expect to have one placed any time really soon. Wanna find an extra good place for it first. What do you think about this...when I put it out, I could give it a name that makes it sound like a plain ol' letterbox. Then when people find it, they get the surprise of finding that it is a hostel. ??? Or is that a bad way to mislead people? Speedsquare also responded to my question, so I'll send this message to her too and see what she has to say. I really appreciate the input from you two. Thanks!!
Re: question about hostel boxes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #2313 by Nurse Wanderseek
Feb 20, 2005 8:48am
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Trailstompers, I think posting the fact that a hostel is a hostel is valuable information to anyone looking for it. If it's posted as a 'normal' letterbox, you may have newbies wondering what in the world to do once they have found it. Also, with the Shady Rest, speedsquare made it pretty clear to only take a HH, when leaving another. I think this is a great rule of thumb, so that anyone making the effort to revisit or find it for the first time won't be disappointed (ie. all HHs are gone, but none have been dropped off).
First finder prizes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Apr 22, 2005 4:31pm
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I was wondering what kind of first finder prizes people have left or found. I've never found any, and don't know what to leave in my next box.

Weyrwoman
Re: First finder prizes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #3747 by Weyrwoman
Apr 22, 2005 5:07pm
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I was wondering what kind of first finder prizes people have left or found. I've never found any, and don't know what to leave in my next box.

My daughter and I were fortunate enough to be first finders on two of Green Guillemot's boxes in our first two weeks of letterboxing. He left a cool little laminated disc in there that had his signature stamp on one side and the letterbox name on the other.

I make hand made paper very often. I've been thinking when I place my first boxes, I'll leave a little paper casting of my sig stamp inside as a first finder's bonus. But then I wondered the same thing you did - what sorts of things do people leave? Do they typically put them in their Log Books? If so, a paper casting might be too 3-D.

Thunderbird
Re: First finder prizes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #3747 by Weyrwoman
Apr 22, 2005 5:08pm
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I like to make first finders' prizes for my boxes. I usually do some sort of paper collaged ff certificate that someone could clue/tape into a log book, with an image of the stamp and some assorted ephemera. We have done bookmarks and tea bags (for an appropriately named box) as well. We also have a button maker (a child's toy, but it really works), so I have made custom buttons that could go on a backpack. We (the kids and I) have made one shrinky-dink backpack zipper pulls that I hope the finder loves as much as I did. I just did a beer-themed box and I wanted to make a coaster as the ff prize, but I didn't have the right backing so I did a paper version with a real beer label.

Around here (houston), most people do a computer-generated ff certificate and those have been very well received. They're fun to find and there's usually a race to be the ff. It's really just the thought and the little extra that just adds to the fun.

My three year old covets a certain placer's ff certificates because they are shiny gold stickers with the name of the box hand-written on them. He tells me, "I only want to be ff on the boxes with the gold stickers. Everything else, I can be the third finder on."

Laura
Re: First finder prizes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #3747 by Weyrwoman
Apr 22, 2005 5:50pm
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Of the two boxes I did first finder's prizes on both had a related hitchhiker stamp as well (Gone Nutty had Gone Nuttier and Silverwing had Bitty Batty). In addition, Gone Nutty had a WOM letterbox clue that I had also created. Since Silverwing was based on a book, I created a bookmark with the stamp image on it and the same paper that the stamp box was covered in.

Though I've never found a First Finder's prize in someone else's box, I once got a very nice Shrinky Dink with the stamp image on it for assisting in placing a box for ABear (Little Engine that Could). The box was mailed to me for placement and had the "thank you" gift with it.
Re: First finder prizes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #3751 by The Wolf Family
Apr 22, 2005 7:01pm
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In my Lewis and Clark mystery boxes I had left a Sacagewea Dollar for the first finders. Funhog left some cute little glass hogs (I use mine as a Christmas Ornament) in a few of her letterboxes as first finder prizes. I have often found "certificates" in letterboxes when I was first finder, I have them from Sierra Sally, Green Guillemot and others. Some of these are very ornate and creative. I generally paste the certificates in my logbook on the page where I have the stamp imprinted. Since I keep a "scrapbook" style logbook, this works well for me.

-Amanda from Seattle
Re: First finder prizes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #3753 by Amanda from Seattle
Apr 22, 2005 7:53pm
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i can say that finding a little something for being the first finder is a wonderful little touch. i have previously been the first finder of two boxes (neither owner was an atlasquest member), and there was nothing in them, so i kind of came to expect the same. however, this past monday i was lucky enough to be the first finder of both of the boxes planted by the cats meow. imagine my surprise that each of them had a nice little certificate stating the name of the box, the date planted, location, and a picture of the box theme! i think i might have been more excited about those pieces of paper than that little piece of paper that i got when i graduated college, which was worth about $120,000...i am getting ready to hide some boxes in the ne ohio area, and i plan on adding a little something to each box, although i have not decided what exactly, so keep the ideas coming!
JessCC
Re: First finder prizes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #3749 by thunderbird
Apr 22, 2005 8:11pm
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Quote I was wondering what kind of first finder prizes people have left or found. I've never found any, and don't know what to leave in my next box.


I've never really much cared about first finder prizes myself. For me, it's about the hike more than it is about the box much less being a first finder.

When I've found certificates in a box, I'll usually take those since it would be strange for the second finder to have a first finder certificate, then I lay them down somewhere and lose them for most of the year. =)

If it's a small trinket but doesn't say anything about "first finder" on it, I'll usually leave it behind and let the second finder enjoy picking it up.

I've never bothered putting first finder prizes in my boxes for two reasons: (1) I'm too lazy to bother, and (2) I don't want finding my boxes to become a matter of who can get there first. But that's just my personal preference. If someone wants to race to be the first to a box, go look for someone else's. =)

The reason I don't really get excited about first finder stuff is because I think it's largely a factor of luck. Who's the first person with a day off that can look for it? I'd probably be more supportive of it if it were at an event and clues were handed out to ten people, they were lined up at the starting line, and could rush off to be first finders all at once. That would be a real compitition and be infinitely more fun, I think. And at that point being first finder would actually mean something to me--not just be a representation that I was the first to have a day free to look for it.

My lack of enthusiasm for first finder prizes doesn't seem to be the norm, however, but that's okay. Everyone can play the game however they prefer!

As for what to include as a first finder prize--use your imagination. There aren't really any rules, per se. If it fits in the box, you can probably make it a first finder prize. It's probably best not to include things such as food or illegal substances, though, but common sense would steer you clear of problems like that. =) I'm more impressed with clever ideas such as Amanda including the Jefferson peace medal in her Lewis and Clark series or a Jack-In-the-Box antenna ball in the Where's Jack? letterbox. =) (Though, admittedly, the antenna ball in the Where's Jack letterbox wasn't actually for first finders--the box had already been found before I thought to put in an antenna ball.) But something that has to do with the box is much more interesting than a random prize from one of those quarter prize machines. =)

-- Ryan
Re: First finder prizes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #3754 by JessCC
Apr 22, 2005 9:07pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I have been FF numerous times, but only in my area. Mostly there is a certificate - which I glue in my logbook near the stamp. These have all been handmade and really add to the fun of getting out and finding the box. I appreciate the effort the placers have taken to make their box special by adding them. They are like little pieces of art.

As far as gifts, I have gotten things like a shrinky dink, and a handmade charm that reflected the box's theme - both of which I put on my backpack. Unfortunately though I lost one of them in the wild somewhere so I don't think I will continue that practice.

In my boxes, I always put my standard computer FF certificate - even in my PLBs. Not too creative, but I'm just not much more artistic than that! In my Tribute to England series, I place a real English coin in each box.

Recently while visiting a state park, I thought it might be neat to put a small item in the box from the park store. Maybe like a patch or magnet or such. I think I will try that on a future box.
Re: First finder prizes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #3756 by TeamKing
Apr 22, 2005 9:29pm
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As far as gifts, I have gotten things like a shrinky dink, and a handmade charm that reflected the box's theme - both of which I put on my backpack. Unfortunately though I lost one of them in the wild somewhere so I don't think I will continue that practice.


Does that mean you need me to make you another Letterboxing Fool Charm?
Re: First finder prizes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #3755 by Green Tortuga
Apr 23, 2005 3:28am
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I tend to share Ryan's point of view and have never really been big on FF prizes. When I first started LB, the FF thing came up and I tried it -- I inluded an artsy little certificate in each of my earlier Michigan Lighthouses series boxes. It didn't really seem to catch on for me.

I like to think of the letterbox adventure as an overall experience, including the hike, the location (i.e. historic value, scenic value, etc.), the clue and the box contents (stamp, log book). I think that each person who finds the box is entitled to enjoy the same experience. So I guess you could say that the FF prize for my boxes is a nicely carved stamp, a handmade log book, an enjoyable hike or a scenic view and fun or puzzling clues. I just choose to share that with all finders, not just the first person there.

I also tend to shy away from them because I don't like to think of letterboxing as a competition or a contest in any way, shape or form, and the FF prize encourages competitiveness. It also kind of reminds me of geocaching -- having some sort of a goodie in the box.

I personally don't like to be FF at a box because I like to see the stamps and read the comments of those who were there before me. When I have been first and there was a FF prize, I put them in my log book by the stamp, but it wouldn't have mattered to me one way or the other if it was there.

That's just my 2 cents and I realize I am in the minority -- they do seem to have become quite popular.

SpringChick
Re: First finder prizes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #3762 by Jabber
Apr 23, 2005 7:30am
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We've just recently started finding and planting boxes.
We intially had no idea what or wheather to put in a FF.
A couple weeks ago we found our first FF, with a homemade
button in it. COOL!!! it's attached to our daypack.
Now we make First Find stickers from label making paper.
First Finders Prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Apr 23, 2005 7:43am
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Here in the N. GA area the race is on whenever Cherokee Rose puts out a box because of the way cool handmade patch with the stamp image on it for the FF prize. Victorianna puts in a magnet with the stamp image. I have a Willy Wonka certificate for my FF that was also my 100 find. That was too cool! I used to put in a certificate but now since Sparky wants in on the act, you will find a dog tag like Sparky's with the box name on it.
Re: First finder prizes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #3747 by Weyrwoman
Apr 24, 2005 7:53pm
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I left little origami envelopes with bug pins in my first boxes, and lately have been doing small certificates that can be glued or taped into one's log book along with the stamp.

One box we found had a refrigerator magnet of the stamp that was in the box. There were several in there, so not just for the first finder. Pretty cool idea, and easy enough to do with the new ink jet magnetic paper that's available!

I like the idea of first finder prizes, can't really say why, but I do. Guess it's just the thrill of finding something extra or unexpected.
CT is So Lucky!
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
May 1, 2005 9:44pm
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While Connecticut is the 48th largest state, according to land, (3rd smallest) in the country, Florida (where I live) is the 26th largest. In the number of letterboxes, CT ranks #1 and FL is #18. Now that may be a little amazing, possibly just interesting.

What's spectacular is the amount of boxes CT really has. According to Atlas Quest and Google, in CT there is 1 box for every 6.38 sq. mi. and 1 box for every 435.45 sq. mi. in FL! Seems those folks up there can't go outside without tripping over a box. I wish we were so lucky. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that there's a CT Resident Party at my house. Bring a covered dish and a letterbox.

As a sidenote, did you know if you Google a state name and "area," it gives you various areas? I love Google.
Re: CT is So Lucky!
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #3901 by ShadowSpirit
May 2, 2005 3:42am
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Yes, that is one way to look at it... I remember thinking the same thing when I first found out about letterboxing -- all those boxes in that little bitty state and the nearest box to me here in MI at the time was 90 miles away!

But it didn't take me long to change my perspective and realize that truly I was the lucky one having only 3 boxes within 200 miles of me. Oh, the planting opportunities that awaited me!

SpringChick
Re: CT is So Lucky!
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #3903 by SpringChick
May 2, 2005 6:11am
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Quote Oh, the planting opportunities that awaited me!

If you plant it, they will come
;-)
I exchanged receintly with TJMich. They showed me their collection of SpringChick stamps in their log book.

Don't know when I'll get a chance to get up to MI. But my boxing gear would be the first thing I'll pack.
Cool stamps!
=0)

S~N~K (Orlando, FL)
Transfer from GC Board: LIABILITY
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
May 7, 2005 8:02am
Thread Board (disabled)
I presume the liability factor involved is one of the main reasons that parks and entities don't welcome the hobby with open arms. In fact, the liability factor has really caused me to doublethink how/if/when I plant boxes along the way. I've really cut back, exponentially, on planting new boxes because of this lingering liability thought. I'm even considering retiring many boxes for this very same reason. —dvn2r ckr

You know, it's really, really pathetic when we, as a society, find the need to blame somebody else for our own stupidity or accidents. It's saddening to think that we can't be responsible for our own safety.

All the parks and public lands favored by letterboxers and geocachers would be doing everyone a big favor if their policies blatantly stated that: "if visitors leave established trails that have been routed with their safety in mind, they're on their own. Enter At Your Own Risk, folks."

I'm glad that all the people involved in this hobby understand that!

SteveS
Re: Do many boxers go out alone?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4003 by Jabber
May 7, 2005 10:14am
Thread Board (disabled)
Quote I don't think it's a good idea to go out alone.


Depends on the circumstances. *shrug* On a busy, well-used trail, it's not as important than, say, the outbacks of Alaska where you can hike for a month and not see a single living soul.

I hiked the 2,173-mile Appalachian Trail essentially by myself and didn't think twice about doing so. But then, it also has a lot more people traveling along it than the outbacks of Alaska would. Even on the rainiest, coldest, most horrible hiking days imaginable there were ALWAYS other people out there with you to get help if they found your body at the bottom of a ravine. =)

Sometimes, I think people take the "buddy system" to an unnecessary extreme. Common sense is far more important than having a buddy nearby. I once remember hearing about a group of three newbie hikers in the Columbia River Gorge who got themselves lost and spent an unexpected night in the cold. A group of three, and that didn't save their butts. But a little common sense from one person who kept track of how to get back to the trailhead could have.

-- Ryan
Re: Do many boxers go out alone?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4004 by Green Tortuga
May 7, 2005 11:19am
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I worry more about meeting up with a bad guy than about ending up at the bottom of a ravine somewhere--not too many ravines here in Florida, anyway! <g> I do go out by myself when there's no one else who'll go, but I try to stick to shorter hikes, and I carry a good, stout hiking staff that would make a dandy weapon, if push came to shove.

I also have a bit of karate training, but it's never been put to the test "for real," and that's okay with me. I wouldn't mind keeping it that way forever!

DebBee
Re: Do many boxers go out alone?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4005 by DebBee
May 7, 2005 11:42am
Thread Board (disabled)
Quote I worry more about meeting up with a bad guy than about ending up at the bottom of a ravine somewhere--not too many ravines here in Florida, anyway! <g>


Ha! =) Yeah, I guess ravines aren't a big issue in Florida.

But seriously, if statistics are to be believed, you're far more likely to need help from self-inflicted injuries (sprains, broken bones, and other medical issues) than being attacked by a "bad man." In fact, you're probably more likely to be attacked walking down a street in a populated place than you will be on the trail.

Which doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful about strangers, but do put the threat in proper perspective. I met several woman who thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail by themselves and never managed to get themselves attacked. And the one I know who was attacked was actually in a hostel with a room full of other people, alcohol abuse being a contributing factor. If you asked her later what her biggest fear was--it wasn't hiking alone--it was in towns where such bad things are more likely to happen.

The fear people have of going outdoors alone just gets under my skin, sometimes. It's like people who have a fear of flying to a destination, but wouldn't think twice about driving. The chances of something bad happening are far worse if you drive, thus it's completely irrational that someone would have a fear of flying.

It's like that outdoors. You're far more likely to die in a car accident on your way driving to the trailhead, but no, everyone is scared of the much lesser risk of being attacked on the trail. But they'll happily tailgate, run the yellow lights, or other risky behavior. Priorities seem screwed up, and I'd rather remind people to drive safely than to hike with a partner.

-- Ryan
Re: Do many boxers go out alone?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4003 by Jabber
May 7, 2005 11:52am
Thread Board (disabled)
I go alone all the dang time. Probably over ninety percent of my boxing adventures have been done solo. I, too, worry about the bad guys but I figure that you are more likely to meet one of them in an urban area than in the sticks. A predator is more likely to hang out where the prey is plentiful.

I actually feel much safer miles out on a remote trail than hiking in a wooded city park. There, the thought of cougars is always on my mind but I carry a hiking staff and figure being eaten by an apex predator would make a pretty cool story to tell at my memorial service.

However, I do realize that I'm hardly typical, having ridden my motorcyle alone coast to coast and camped the entire way. I've also done a fair amount of international travel by myself and I travel solo for business almost weekly. I enjoy traveling with other folks but I've never allowed the lack of a buddy to cramp my style. Funhog
Re: Do many boxers go out alone?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4003 by Jabber
May 7, 2005 12:27pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I letterbox alone most of the time, and actually prefer hiking alone to a group. I've camped and hiked alone in the woods of Michigan's U.P. for many years and although my mother still worries about bears and "bad men," I have very seldom felt unsafe. I would agree with the previous comment that if somebody is looking for a target for foul play, they aren't hanging out on seldom-traveled trails in the woods.

That being said, I do take some precautions:

1) I never advertise my plans for solo hiking ventures in a public forum -- I shutter sometimes when I see somebody mention they hike alone and then in the next sentence note they will be headed to XYZ park tomorrow.

2) I carry a first aid kit and pepper spray (although I admit it is not readily available most of the time).

3) When going on a trip or for a full day, I leave an itinerary either written or in an e-mail.

4) When I am within cell phone service area, I call home at regular intervals during the trip, particularly before setting out on a long hike, and leave a message on the answering machine as to my whereabouts.

I figure knowing my itinerary and approximate last location, somebody could track me down if I didn't show up at the end of the day.

Probably the best tip to remember when you are alone... don't look frightened or uneasy.

SpringChick
Re: Do many boxers go out alone?
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #4008 by SpringChick
May 7, 2005 12:29pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Oops, that should be "shudder." My fingers are not connected to my brain today.