We are new to letterboxing and are wondering what the etiquette is for providing first aid. We came across a letterbox today who's log book was full (but there was thick paper left so we stamped on that) and the large plastic bag that it was in was muddy. we cleaned it off the best we could. I was just wondering do people bring extra plastic bags for this reason. Also if I were to have a log book to replace it, what would I do with the full one? I do live near this letterbox so I could possibly replace it. I have already emailed the placer.

Most people will replace the baggies. I have replaced baggies, log books and even the box itdelf (the owners lived out of state). I replaced the log book with a new one and mailed the first back to them. It just depends what you and the owner of the box want to do. I know that I would apprecipate someone changing a baggie on mine.

ElectricMedic

I was just wondering do people bring extra plastic bags for this reason. Also if I were to have a log book to replace it, what would I do with the full one? I do live near this letterbox so I could possibly replace it. I have already emailed the placer.

We carry extra baggies, logbooks of various sizes, extra tupperware container and even an extra generic stamp. We have used that generic stamp at a location where someone thought it was a geocache and left a trade item for the stamp. We contact the Placer and let them know what actions we have taken. If there is room in a container we always leave the old logbook as many folks think this is the real treasure and like to go through and look at the previous stampings.

While the onus is on the Placer for maintenance we believe that Finders also have a stake in keeping letterboxes viable. I'm moving this thread to a more appropriate board "Traditional Letterboxes" as Atlas Quest Board is for issues dealing with Atlas Quest.

Don

as a tupperware lady im glad to hear you carry tupperware :)

as a tupperware lady im glad to hear you carry tupperware :)

Sorry to dash your feelings, but I use "Tupperware" very similar to the way I use "Coke". Sometimes my "Coke" is a 7UP.

Don

If it was my box, I would totally appreciate having the baggies replaced. If there was room, I would want the full logbook left in there, a new one (or some paper or whatever you have) left also, and then a message sent to me to let me know. When I 'box, I like to see the stamps of those who came before me, so this would allow others to do the same. If I want the logbook back, I can post a message with the clues asking the next person to grab it and mail it to me. If the logbook was wet, it would be nice to have it dried out and then replaced (if time allows, which is rare) or maybe replaced with a new one and then take it home and dry it out, then mail to me.

I had one soaked book near where I live, so I just went there with a hairdryer, a new book, scissors and glue and dried out the pages and cut/pasted them into the first pages of the new book.

I had one soaked book near where I live, so I just went there with a hairdryer...

Boy, that must have been REAL close to where you live or you must of had one long extension cord. : )

understand i use a generic term for sodas too but you never know that plastic you put out there just might be tupperware.

you must of had one long extension cord.

No, that would've been smart. I just took the hairdryer and assumed I would plug it in at the restroom. Alas, there was no plug so I had to lay out the pages on my dashboard in the sun and sit there waiting for 30 minutes while they dried! Gosh, I'm really pathetic, aren't I...

Nope, not pathetic. I can only hope that you are the one to find my boxes if they get wet!
snbone

I look at the maintenance of other's boxes as my honor and responsibility as a good boxer. Just as I wouldn't dream of leaving a box hidden less well than I found it, I wouldn't dream of not replacing damaged baggies. I try to box with extra log books too, in case of full books.
I guess I look at my fellow boxers as comrades and want to help them keep the movement alive.
LunaSea