I am a beginner but here are the things I have added to my pack so far:

Clues!
My log book
my signature stamp
Several colors of ink pads
a tiny clipboard
two pens
a compass
a flashlight
a zip lock with wet towel scraps
a zip lock with dry towel scraps
spare snack size and quart size baggies for rescue work

I know there are probably things I haven't thought of so I will be interested to see other people's answers to this one.

Memlili





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

One of the most useful things I carry is a sheet of heavy plastic to
use on wet ground. It comes in very handy and folds up nicely.

I also have a pair of gardeners gloves and a dry pair of socks. Bug
spray when needed.

Other than that, it's regular stuff - compass, log book, signature
stamp, about 12 colors of ink pads (ok, maybe that's a bit much), 3
colors of pens, old cloth for cleaning stamps and fingers, spare
plastic bags of all sizes for repairs, water, reading glasses, and
cell phone.

I probably should carry a pocketknife but I keep forgetting to put one
in the bag.

Mary

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Mary Ellen Martel
wrote:
> I am a beginner but here are the things I have added to my pack so
far:
>
> Clues!
> My log book
> my signature stamp
> Several colors of ink pads
> a tiny clipboard
> two pens
> a compass
> a flashlight
> a zip lock with wet towel scraps
> a zip lock with dry towel scraps
> spare snack size and quart size baggies for rescue work
>
> I know there are probably things I haven't thought of so I will be
interested to see other people's answers to this one.
>
> Memlili
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Do you Yahoo!?
> The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Other than the usual stuff, I keep a bottle of biodegradable soap, a bottle of water, a handkerchief and a granola bar or two and some paper napkins.

I also keep plastic bags to pick up garbage

Sarah bought a Camelback which is great since it holds so much water
and keeps it cool. I carry way too much stuff but it is all pretty
small so it doesn't weigh too much:

My stamp, logbook, stamp pad, pen

Extra baggies, rubberbands

Pocket knife, flashlight, small first aid kit

Scrunchie since I have tons of hair and Sarah has a convertible
(and may I say "whoo hoo" to letterboxing in a convertible)

my cell phone and quarters for a pay phone in case it dies

compass, guidebook on trees, hideous plastic poncho that makes me
look like a house

a snack, a small camp towel or bandanna if it is hot

waterproof matches and a lighter, I smoke but even if you don't it
wise to have fire in case of an emergency

and I need to buy an emergency blanket and then pray that we never
need it....I'll leave the getting into trouble part to Psychomommy!

Tammy

Oh yeah, and the clues!



--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Mary from Virginia"
wrote:
> One of the most useful things I carry is a sheet of heavy plastic
to
> use on wet ground. It comes in very handy and folds up nicely.
>
> I also have a pair of gardeners gloves and a dry pair of socks.
Bug
> spray when needed.
>
> Other than that, it's regular stuff - compass, log book, signature
> stamp, about 12 colors of ink pads (ok, maybe that's a bit much),
3
> colors of pens, old cloth for cleaning stamps and fingers, spare
> plastic bags of all sizes for repairs, water, reading glasses, and
> cell phone.
>
> I probably should carry a pocketknife but I keep forgetting to put
one
> in the bag.
>
> Mary
>
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Mary Ellen Martel
> wrote:
> > I am a beginner but here are the things I have added to my pack
so
> far:
> >
> > Clues!
> > My log book
> > my signature stamp
> > Several colors of ink pads
> > a tiny clipboard
> > two pens
> > a compass
> > a flashlight
> > a zip lock with wet towel scraps
> > a zip lock with dry towel scraps
> > spare snack size and quart size baggies for rescue work
> >
> > I know there are probably things I haven't thought of so I will
be
> interested to see other people's answers to this one.
> >
> > Memlili
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ok from the bottom up:
A complete first aid kit (includes a lot of stuff not typically in a
first aid kit, like water purification tablets -- but can't list it
all)
flashlight
a few sharpie markers
Excedrin (handy, not in 1st aid kit)
hair elastics
kleenex
spare ziplocs
paper towels
plastic grocery bags to pick up trash or cleo-poo
little shovel to bury cleo-poo (depends on where we are)
snack(s) sometimes a whole lunch
bug spray
journal, stamp, ink, Cleo's stamp & ink
Water

Cleo carries trash bags, a spare leash, & a collapsible bowl.

Sometimes I sneak spare logbooks, containers etc. into Bruce's pack,
sometimes I even sneak rocks into Bruce's pack--but only when he's
going too fast. ;)

~ Aili

We take our stamps and logbook, ink pads, colored markers, extra log books,
compass, baby wipes, ziploc baggies, trash bags to clean up litter, gardening
gloves, binoculars for bird watching, Audobon guide to the mid-Atlantic (we're
in VA), first aid kit (am always with small kids), bug viewing container (for
catch and release!), canteens and goldfish crackers - little Crickets love
'em. Dry socks for all would probably be a good idea as my 3-year-old is always
straight into any available water.
Mother of Crickets


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Other than the usual stuff (clues, stamp, log book, pen/pencil, a few
colors of ink, compass, flashlight, bug spray), I have:

- a pkg of disposable rubber gloves
- a pair of heavier gardening gloves
- extra socks
- a long handled wooden spoon (used for getting inside hollow places
and also clearing away wet leaves, etc. and yes, for digging... but,
only in beachy areas in the sand... not out in the woods)
- unscented wipes -- used for my hands, but not for stamps
- baggie with damp paper toweling for cleaning stamps
- a small clipboard
- pocket knife
- sticky notes
- a small, just-the-basics, first aid kit
- extra chapstick
- letterboxing rescue supplies (various size plastic bags,
rubberbands, spare log book, pens)
- gps & spare batteries
- cell phone
- id card

I just wanted to point out the last item... I often letterbox alone
and being female, do not carry a wallet, and of course do not take my
purse in the woods with me. I made up a small laminated ID card with
emergency contact information that I carry in my backpack. This way,
heaven forbid, if something should happen to me on the trail,
somebody will know who I am and who to contact.

Deb (SpringChick)




--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "jillnick72"
wrote:
>
> Out of curiosity, what do you all take with you when you go out
> letterboxing? My husband and I realized this weekend that some
extra
> plastic bags to replace any damaged/wet/dirty ones we found would
be
> good, and some wipes to take the inkstains off of our fingers would
> also help. We also realized that bug spray is essential!
>
> So what's in your "kit"?

---If you take the inkstains off then no one will recognize you as a
fellow l'boxer. OOPS, there goes a missed exchange!
Must be able to get into the role of being the consummate
letterboxer.
Psychomommy

In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "jillnick72" wrote:
and some wipes to take the inkstains off of our fingers

After that poor guy out west had to cut his arm off, I got myself
one big knife. The kind used by Navy Seals. You never know!
Don't forget your whistle. VERY IMPORTANT
Pocketknife! HE HE Mary! How cute.
Psychomommy



and I need to buy an emergency blanket and then pray that we never
> need it....I'll leave the getting into trouble part to Psychomommy!
>
> Tammy

> > I probably should carry a pocketknife but I keep forgetting to
put
> one
> > in the bag.
> >
> > Mary

Does anyone take anything for poison ivy? Or do you bathe in it when
you get home? As The Woof Pack was traipsing through the forest
yesterday, I realized I had not been as watchful as I maybe should have.
I usually only notice poison ivy after wallowing in it for a few hours!
And of course furkids can carry it home where you pick it up while
rubbing their tummy!

MommaDi




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I thought of that, but couldn't you still recognize us by the way we
sneak around, hoping no one will spot us as we retrieve the LB?

MommaDi

---If you take the inkstains off then no one will recognize you as a
fellow l'boxer. OOPS, there goes a missed exchange!
Must be able to get into the role of being the consummate
letterboxer.
Psychomommy

In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "jillnick72" wrote:
and some wipes to take the inkstains off of our fingers





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I also have an ace bandage in my first aid kit, toilet paper for
'emergencies' and a copuple of dog biscuits, orange 'vests' for hunting areas and a
Universal Studios Woody Woodpecker poncho. NO ONE will miss me in the woods.
And, I was out this weekend alone and way off in the woods where there was no
cell action. When I got home I made sure my son knew how to find the clues
to where I was (I remembered to leave the towns on the board at home)-just in
case.
BookWorm


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

My daughter just returned from Costa Rica with a machete - should I have that for my treks in the Maine woods?
Memlili




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The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Mary Ellen..
A friend of mine
(I use that term loosely) just got back from Costa Rica and while he was
there planted a letterbox for me ,but hasn't gave me the clues yet to
post.
Did your daughter find any letterboxes while she was there??



franzsolo...


P166F175X21E1



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

---As the mapsurfer says, "Prolly!"
My question is; Why should a sweet young girl want to bring back a
machete? Sentimental reasons?
Psychomommy

In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Mary Ellen Martel
wrote:
> My daughter just returned from Costa Rica with a machete - should I
have that for my treks in the Maine woods?
> Memlili
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Do you Yahoo!?
> The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

No - she has not caught the bug like I have. I was tempted to have her take one to plant, but I know she would have thought I was nuts. Guess I'll just have to get down there myself!
Memlili





---------------------------------
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The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Several of the students just thought they were way cool. It is rather nifty looking. I sort of picture myself alone in the woods and confronted by some evil person - then doing my best Crocodile Dundee impersonation and announcing "THIS is a knife"!

Memlili

psycomommy2003 wrote:
---As the mapsurfer says, "Prolly!"
My question is; Why should a sweet young girl want to bring back a
machete? Sentimental reasons?
Psychomommy

In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Mary Ellen Martel
wrote:
> My daughter just returned from Costa Rica with a machete - should I
have that for my treks in the Maine woods?
> Memlili
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Do you Yahoo!?
> The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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I keep my backpack in my car as I never know where life will take me. If I
find myself somewhere new with time on my hands, I'm always prepared for another
Lb experience. Here's what I have in my backpack along with my log book,
compass, stamp, pad and pen:
A partial roll of paper towels
Extra zip lock bags
A bottle of water
A camera (which we use to document out finds and add these photos to our
log book)
A hat
A scrunchie to tie back my hair for windy days
A spare hitchhiker, just in case the box is ripe for planting one
A spare Lb in case we find a perfect place
My carving equipment for when the mood strikes
A file folder with lots and lots of print-outs from the website with
interesting Lbs in places I occasionally drive through.

~~Doublesaj & Old Blue~~
P6 F22 V5 A10 HH1


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "jillnick72"
wrote:
>
> Out of curiosity, what do you all take with you when you go out
> letterboxing? My husband and I realized this weekend that some
extra
> plastic bags to replace any damaged/wet/dirty ones we found would
be
> good, and some wipes to take the inkstains off of our fingers would
> also help. We also realized that bug spray is essential!
>
> So what's in your "kit"?

I have two kits - one for long treks and one for drivebys. The
driveby kit is a belted bag which contains only my journal, stamp,
inkpad, pen, cell phone, and the clues. And a spot for my keys.
When I go on a long trek, I put the belted bag inside the long trek
kit. Inside the long trek kit, I have:

Several dozen ziplock bags of various sizes
Several dozen pens
Two or three bound index card pads
One stamp marked "Temporary" in case I ever find a box and the stamp
is missing - I would leave that in the box when I left. I keep it in
the traditional size rubbermaid container in the event of a need for
replacement
Large black permanent felt marker
Several garbage bags
A length of rope
2 bungee cords
A swiss army knife
Avon sunscreen/insect repellent
A travel size package of tissues (aka toilet paper)
A pair of crappy old bib overalls
Several large elastics
Several packs of disposable orange safety vests (but I still don't
throw them away)
A couple of disposable rain ponchos
An extra pair of socks
A disposable camera
A compass
A small first aid kit
A small but industrial strength pair of tweezers (for ticks)
A travel size package of diaper wipes
A can of mace
A pair of binoculars
A water bottle
A set of needlenosed pliers (for errant bits of wire)
A flashlight
Batteries for the flashlight (kept separately)

I'm probably forgetting something ....

Warrior Woman

In addition to the Clues, my logbook, my stamp and a pen I usually carry:

Compas
First Aid Kit
Cell Phone
Swiss Army Knife (explorer model)
Map of the general area
Water
Snack (granola bars or something similar)
Extra ziplock bags in 2 or 3 sizes
a Tupperware container to use as a replacement if necessary
Carving materials & Carving tools
Wet paper towels
Dry paper towels
Trash bags (can be used as a ground cloth to sit on, as well as for trash)
Bandana
ID
Bug spray (currently out - need to buy a new container!)

After reading the replies I think I will also add a spare pair of socks. I may also leave a change of shoes in the car.

I also sometimes carry a walking stick, when I remember to bring it.

Looking forward to other good ideas!

Tortoise (of the Tortoise & the Hare)



>
>Out of curiosity, what do you all take with you when you go out
>letterboxing? My husband and I realized this weekend that some extra
>plastic bags to replace any damaged/wet/dirty ones we found would be
>good, and some wipes to take the inkstains off of our fingers would
>also help. We also realized that bug spray is essential!
>
>So what's in your "kit"?
>
>
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>

-------------------
Email sent using One on One Internet (http://oneononeinternet.com)

Not to beat a dead horse, but here's our inventory:

1 camel-back backpack. with water when we go hiking.
1 logbook (ours is now a sketch book, spiral bound)
1 LB-worthy tupperware container with our 3 stamps and 2 ink pads
1 "Mystery" traveller (inkpad and stamp)***hint hint!!***
1 bag of doggie munchies
several baggies of different sizes...sandwich,quart,gallon
3-4 pens
1-2 sharpie markers
1 pair trauma shears (emt equipment)
1 small pack of bandaids
2 Nextels (usually on our person...makes it easy to
find each other if we get lost!
1-2 extra sketch pads / log books
occasionally 1 HH looking for a new home
1 orange bandana (for madras)
1 can Deep Woods Off (keeps the ticks off!)
1 package of paper towels... box maintenence
1 sports bottle of water for the dog


We'd also suggest those little packages of baby wipes as they make
excellent ink removers for fingers!

-Steve and Heidi

I bring gloves, extra baggies, extra log books and lots of paper towels. I also bring some kitchen size trash bags. If I am searching in an area that has a lot of traffic (foot or car) I can walk around looking in bushes and people will think I am looking for trash. I usually do find trash so I throw it in the bag. It can't hurt to do a little cleanup work while out having fun. : )

I have recently also started carrying a camera. This is also nice to have when people look at you funny when you are somewhere unusual. I started doing this after I was going for the Eaton Canyon Hummingbird. It was way up high on a hill. A woman kept looking at me while I was up there. I had my GPS receiver with me. I pretended it was a camera and that I was up there to take a picture. She actually moved so that she wouldn't be in my shot!
___________________________
Eric Polk
----- Original Message -----
From: jillnick72
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 12:49 PM
Subject: [LbNA] What's in your LB backpack?



Out of curiosity, what do you all take with you when you go out
letterboxing? My husband and I realized this weekend that some extra
plastic bags to replace any damaged/wet/dirty ones we found would be
good, and some wipes to take the inkstains off of our fingers would
also help. We also realized that bug spray is essential!

So what's in your "kit"?

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Lots of good ideas from folks, many of which our team uses as well. We're
moving to a 2-backpack system - one regular size backpack with everything
we might conceivably need while letterboxing, then a couple small,
purse-sized ones which we load from the big pack with whatever we think we
might need for a particular box. I also always have my purse with me, and
when needed move the first-aid kit, chapstick, pain killer, etc I always
carry into the small backpack. We carry 6 Kaleidacolor dye ink pads (4 on
one baggie and 1 for each of our 2 family stamps which ride in baggies with
the stamps), which gives an ENORMOUS range of colors as well as beautiful,
variegated stamped images. A "light pack" for a short walk includes log,
personal stamp, a couple pens, all 6 ink pads and a baggie with a couple
wet paper towels for cleaning what are increasingly "gunky" box stamps.

Debbie T, "the Bee"


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After yesterday's hike, searching old, hollow stumps, I'm adding my
Epipen to my pack!!!

The bees aren't really active yet - at least I didn't see any yesterday.
But as I was poking around some of those stumps, I couldn't help but
thing of Winnie the Pooh!

I've never had a life-threatening reaction to a sting, but the last one,
did produce mild hives a short time later. The next one could be
dangerous. Still, I've never thought much about it. I'm more careful
about what colors of clothing I wear, and NO fragrances of any kind.
unless it's eau de bug spray. Even when gardening, I've never worried
too much about having it along, but if I were stung while in the middle
of nowhere, the fear alone could kill me!

Is anyone else allergic to stings? Anything you do that I should
consider?

MommaDi & The Woof Pack


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Yup! I carry one as Princess Turtle is highly allergic. She's
been rushed to hospital with hives ringing her neck and surrounding
her mouth. Kind of terrifying!
OT, everytime I see your your name appear I can't help but
chuckle. I mean no offense but it reminds me of old Playboy magazines!
I think Vargas was an artist for Playboy, but I could be wrong.
Va Va Va Voom,
Psychomommy


In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Diana Vargas"
wrote:
> After yesterday's hike, searching old, hollow stumps, I'm adding my
> Epipen to my pack!!!
>
> The bees aren't really active yet - at least I didn't see any
yesterday.
> But as I was poking around some of those stumps, I couldn't help but
> thing of Winnie the Pooh!
>
> I've never had a life-threatening reaction to a sting, but the last
one,
> did produce mild hives a short time later. The next one could be
> dangerous. Still, I've never thought much about it. I'm more
careful
> about what colors of clothing I wear, and NO fragrances of any kind.
> unless it's eau de bug spray. Even when gardening, I've never
worried
> too much about having it along, but if I were stung while in the
middle
> of nowhere, the fear alone could kill me!
>
> Is anyone else allergic to stings? Anything you do that I should
> consider?
>
> MommaDi & The Woof Pack
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Oh, Lord, no! I was once asked if I'd posed nude or in a green dress
with a Borzoi, I think it was. The artist Vargas actually painted a
woman named Diana! And my affinity for dogs made it seem possible to
this person. No, I didn't pose nude with a Borzoi or any other breed!

My husband passed away recently, and I've come very close to taking back
my maiden name. Apart from the telemarketers speaking Espanol, and
REALLY bad relations with my brother-in-law (who told the authorities
that I KILLED his brother) and THIS. if it wouldn't be so much trouble
to change a name that I'd lived with for 13 years.

MommaDi and The Woof Pack

OT, everytime I see your your name appear I can't help but
chuckle. I mean no offense but it reminds me of old Playboy magazines!
I think Vargas was an artist for Playboy, but I could be wrong.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

You can always use an alias! I don't think it's too difficult to
change back, since your husband is deceased. So, sorry.
Actually, if someone asked me if I posed nude I would feel
flattered. I would do it now if and only if I could use my dogs to
hide behind.
Psychomommy

In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Diana Vargas"
wrote:
> Oh, Lord, no! I was once asked if I'd posed nude or in a green
dress
> with a Borzoi, I think it was. The artist Vargas actually painted a
> woman named Diana! And my affinity for dogs made it seem possible
to
> this person. No, I didn't pose nude with a Borzoi or any other
breed!
>
> My husband passed away recently, and I've come very close to taking
back
> my maiden name. Apart from the telemarketers speaking Espanol, and
> REALLY bad relations with my brother-in-law (who told the
authorities
> that I KILLED his brother) and THIS. if it wouldn't be so much
trouble
> to change a name that I'd lived with for 13 years.
>
> MommaDi and The Woof Pack

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "jillnick72" wrote:
>

>
> So what's in your "kit"?

In addition to much of what's already been listed, I carry:

-- a whistle
-- citronella spray in case someone/something attacks me or
someone/something attacks my dog

And something I always carry WITH me but can't fit in my knapsack is
my walking stick.

And if necessary:

-- sanitary napkins

Yes, my boxing brethren, I went there. It's called reality. Check it
out. :) (Just teasing!)

-- mlg
Richmond, VA