Letterboxing
This is another form of treasure hunting that uses clues instead of coordinates. If there is a stamp inside a Letterbox Hybrid, it is not an item intended for trade. The stamp is meant to remain in the box so that visitors can use it to record their visit. Finders make an imprint of the letterbox's stamp on their personal logbook, and leave an impression of their personal stamp on the letterbox's logbook—as proof of having found the box. Many letterboxers keep careful track of their "find count".
Modern-day letterboxing's origins can be traced to Dartmoor, England in 1854. William Crossing in his Guide to Dartmoor states that a well known Dartmoor guide (James Perrott) placed a bottle for visitors cards at Cranmere Pool on the northern moor in 1854. From this hikers on the moors began to leave a letter or postcard inside a box along the trail (sometimes addressed to themselves, sometimes a friend or relative)—hence the name "letterboxing". The next person to discover the site would collect the postcards and mail them. The first Dartmoor letterboxes were so remote and well-hidden that only the most determined walkers ended up finding them, allowing weeks to pass before the letter made its way home. Increasingly, however, letterboxes have been located in relatively accessible sites. As a result, the tradition of leaving a letter or postcard in the box has been forgotten.
Clues to the locations of Dartmoor letterboxes are traditionally distributed in print format in the Dartmoor 100 Club's regularly-updated catalogue. Letterboxes can be found in other areas of the United Kingdom including the North York Moors and have now spread all over the world.
Interest in letterboxing in the U.S. is generally considered to have started with a feature article in the Smithsonian Magazine in April 1998. The growing popularity of the somewhat similar activity of geocaching during the 2000's has increased interest in letterboxing as well. Clues to American letterboxes are commonly published on Letterboxing North America, Atlas Quest, and other websites.
This is a multi cache with a twist better known as a LETTER BOX HYBRID cache.
Since this is a letterbox hybrid cache there is minimal use of your GPS unit. you will need to combine the use of your GPS and basic navigational skills, along with your geocaching skills to locate the cache.
Access to the cache site is from Carrickbrack Road. Make your way to the given co-ords. where you will find an access point to the trail in the wall.
- From here follow the trail approx. 460ft (140metres) were you will see the first of 3 wooden posts with the purple national looped walk markers on it.
- Keep right
- Continue down the trail until you reach 2 stone pillars (you will pass a further 2 posts on your way) approx. distance 480ft (146metres)
- Continue your walk through the pillars, follow the trail ahead of you towards the woods (.15 of a mile/241metres)
- As you enter the woods, you will soon pass under a wooden branch archway and see directly ahead of you a large fallen tree. Make your way over to the roots of the tree and stand with your back to them.
- The cache is located approx. 15 to 20ft (4.5 to 6metres) to your right
The cache contains a stamper which is to remain in the cache. There is also the regular logbook, pencil and swag. Please take care and rehide the cache to prevent muggles from discovering its location. What's with the cache name? It don't mean a thing......if it ain't got that swing. They are lyrics from a song. If you were to continue on the trail downhill past the uprooted tree you would soon find yourself in a clearing in the woods were there is a large rope swing hanging from a very high large tree branch where the local kids love to play.
