A short time back, I mentioned my son is working on letterboxing as a 4-H
project and, in large part, is trying to make the hobby more accessible to
physically and mentally challenged youths. Part of what he has developed
thus far is a rating system to include whenever he places his own box and to
list in his field notes after he finds boxes.
He's asked me to post this here for feedback from any letterboxers who
either a) have a physical or mental challenge, or b) have children that go
out with them hunting. Other feedback is welcome but please keep in mind,
this is written by a child for children and the disabled so don't attack him
if you think his idea of "extreme" is "easy" for you the adult warrior
without disabilities or children to consider. He knows that some people list
boxes as "easy" on the site and it requires extensive bushwhacking, climbing
of steep cliffs, etc. It's part of why he wanted a clear system for his own
boxes.
Before I list what he has developed, I'll explain how he derived them. He
and I read through our personal stack of hiking and backpacking books and
additionally checked both websites and outside books for how they were
"rating" hikes. What he found was that most places that give a good
description of their ratings follow very closely to one another in terms of
how they decided what rating to give - walking rate, amount of climbing and
bushwhacking, etc. So this list isn't a unique one, just his modifications
to the descriptions are designed for the audience he is gearing the project
towards. On a side note, I can email anyone who wants the list of books he
has in his official bibliography for this aspect of the project.
Now for the list...
Fully Accessible
Open to all ages including early walkers and those in wheelchairs. Distance
can be covered at a walking pace of 2+ miles per hour with no or almost no
inclines of more than 100 feet. Trail may or may not be paved but is
suitable for wheeled transportation (strollers, walkers, wheelchairs) and is
safe for the visually impaired.
Very Easy
Open to all ages including early walkers. Distance can be covered at a
walking pace of 2+ miles per hour with no or almost no inclines of more than
100 feet. Trail suitable for large wheeled transportation but walkers and
light strollers may have difficulty. Trail safe for visually impaired with
assistance.
Easy
Open to all ages including early walkers. Distance can be covered at a
walking pace of 1.5 to 2 miles per hour with no inclines of greater than 200
feet. Trail suitable for large wheeled transportation but walkers and light
strollers may have difficulty. Trail safe for visually impaired with
assistance.
Moderate
Open to strong walkers or babies in carriers. Distance can be covered at a
walking pace of 1 to 1.5 miles per hour with no inclines of greater than 400
feet. Trail may not be suitable for wheeled transportation or the visually
impaired. Box is accessible to children.
Difficult
Open to experienced walkers or babies in carriers. Distance can be covered
at a walking pace of 1 mile per hour average with some climbing involved.
Trail not suitable for wheeled transportation or the visually impaired. Box
may or may not be accessible to children.
Challenging
For experienced older walkers. Distance covered at an average pace under 1
mile per hour or with many climbing segments or with the inclusion of off
trail hiking for some distance. Trail not suitable for the very young,
wheeled transportation, visually impaired and care should be take with
mentally challenged. Box most likely not accessible to children.
Extreme
Not recommended for walkers under the age of 10 and then only with previous
experience. Distance covered may be more than 5 miles, include steep climbs
and/or extensive off trail hiking. Not suitable for children, physically or
mentally challenged. Box not accessible to children.
Letterboxing Walking/Retrieval Guide
11 messages in this thread |
Started on 2003-06-05
Letterboxing Walking/Retrieval Guide
From: Annye Keenberg (annye@sbcglobal.net) |
Date: 2003-06-05 08:59:20 UTC-07:00
Re: Letterboxing Walking/Retrieval Guide
From: Sir Balthazar (neovolatile@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2003-06-05 19:17:40 UTC
Hurray, this looks like an excellent guide. I think I shall adopt it,
myself. Probably need to put the guide up on my website. Please send
me (off board) details for the credit.
Thanks!
Sir Balthazar of 100**100D
http://webpages.charter.net/astroweaver/letterboxing/letterbox.html
myself. Probably need to put the guide up on my website. Please send
me (off board) details for the credit.
Thanks!
Sir Balthazar of 100**100D
http://webpages.charter.net/astroweaver/letterboxing/letterbox.html
Re: [LbNA] Letterboxing Walking/Retrieval Guide
From: (HANNAHKAT@aol.com) |
Date: 2003-06-05 15:40:12 UTC-04:00
Hmm... I like what you've got here, but I have a couple of suggestions. I
notice that you only mention an overall distance in the "Extreme" category ('may
be more than 5 miles'). My first reaction is that I'd like to see that feature
in the other categories and perhaps not the speed of the walker (eg 2 miles
per hour etc) as I find that less helpful. I say that, because, not everyone
knows their average speed, and I know that when I lead groups of children (esp
those less than 7 yrs old) or special needs groups in my work, they often walk
MUCH slower than 1.5 mph (and likewise there are many that could outpace me!).
I know that I really appreciate knowing the approximate distance of a hike as
it helps me plan my outings.
I'm interested to see what you ultimately come up with. Good work!
As a general aside to you, considering the state of the world, I think
somewhere in your descriptions you have to have a disclaimer stressing that it is
ultimately the hiker's or group leader's responsibility to judge what is
appropriate. This will hopefully cover yourself liability-wise.
As a general aside to...well, I guess the world in general, no one will ever
make the perfect description, so people have to take responsibility for their
own safety and actions. In other words, if you choose to visit a site, you
take on the responsibililty of judging how far you should go and when you should
stop if you judge something to be beyond your abilities or your group's
abilities.
It is unfortunate that the world (at least the American culture) has become
that way, but many people believe that the world should "hold their hand"
rather than believing that their actions are the result of their own choices. If
you choose poorly, it is not the world's fault. Likewise if you don't have the
presence of mind to know when you've reached your limits on a hunt, it is not
the clue-writer's fault.
I apologize for the tangent, but the growing amorality and
"nothing-is-ever-my-fault" attitude of American society is a particular pet peeve of mine. I'm
sorry if I've irritated anyone, but I just had to say it.
-Kim (Rustypuff)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
notice that you only mention an overall distance in the "Extreme" category ('may
be more than 5 miles'). My first reaction is that I'd like to see that feature
in the other categories and perhaps not the speed of the walker (eg 2 miles
per hour etc) as I find that less helpful. I say that, because, not everyone
knows their average speed, and I know that when I lead groups of children (esp
those less than 7 yrs old) or special needs groups in my work, they often walk
MUCH slower than 1.5 mph (and likewise there are many that could outpace me!).
I know that I really appreciate knowing the approximate distance of a hike as
it helps me plan my outings.
I'm interested to see what you ultimately come up with. Good work!
As a general aside to you, considering the state of the world, I think
somewhere in your descriptions you have to have a disclaimer stressing that it is
ultimately the hiker's or group leader's responsibility to judge what is
appropriate. This will hopefully cover yourself liability-wise.
As a general aside to...well, I guess the world in general, no one will ever
make the perfect description, so people have to take responsibility for their
own safety and actions. In other words, if you choose to visit a site, you
take on the responsibililty of judging how far you should go and when you should
stop if you judge something to be beyond your abilities or your group's
abilities.
It is unfortunate that the world (at least the American culture) has become
that way, but many people believe that the world should "hold their hand"
rather than believing that their actions are the result of their own choices. If
you choose poorly, it is not the world's fault. Likewise if you don't have the
presence of mind to know when you've reached your limits on a hunt, it is not
the clue-writer's fault.
I apologize for the tangent, but the growing amorality and
"nothing-is-ever-my-fault" attitude of American society is a particular pet peeve of mine. I'm
sorry if I've irritated anyone, but I just had to say it.
-Kim (Rustypuff)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [LbNA] Letterboxing Walking/Retrieval Guide
From: Randy Hall (randy@mapsurfer.com) |
Date: 2003-06-05 17:22:53 UTC-04:00
If you are going to do this, I think it would be wise to develop a mental
rating as well (or a combined rating). The mental difficulty of the clues
will prolly add a multiplicitive factor to the physical difficulty of the
hike (e.g., for getting lost, taking time to puzzle it out, lets just walk
down this trail and have a look for the "green monster", etc.)
Put another way, straightforward directions thru a 2 mile trail network
will be less physically taxing than cryptic directions over the same path.
I think some letterboxers make the mistake of underestimating this
multiplicitive effect when planning a hike.
Cheers
Re: [LbNA] Letterboxing Walking/Retrieval Guide
From: psycomommy2003 (ktborrelli@hotmail.com) |
Date: 2003-06-05 21:37:14 UTC
And then there are people like me. Who take a simple easy hike
and turn it into a nightmare. (empty lakebed, no problem, just
testing the viscosity of the mud)
Never was a hiker in the past but I'm learning the hard way, by
sheer cussedness.
If I'm going for a box in an unknown area, I mentally add
another half hour for the getting lost factor.
They say that most accidents are caused by human error. So we
live and learn.
Psychomommy
In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Randy Hall wrote:
> I think some letterboxers make the mistake of underestimating this
> multiplicitive effect when planning a hike.
>
> Cheers
and turn it into a nightmare. (empty lakebed, no problem, just
testing the viscosity of the mud)
Never was a hiker in the past but I'm learning the hard way, by
sheer cussedness.
If I'm going for a box in an unknown area, I mentally add
another half hour for the getting lost factor.
They say that most accidents are caused by human error. So we
live and learn.
Psychomommy
In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Randy Hall
> I think some letterboxers make the mistake of underestimating this
> multiplicitive effect when planning a hike.
>
> Cheers
Re: Letterboxing Walking/Retrieval Guide
From: warrioringilead (warrioringilead@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2003-06-05 21:45:05 UTC
I would like to respond to this if I may. I am legally blind, I
letterbox, and I usually take my children with me. My father (passed
way two years ago) was a quadriplegic for 30+ years, and I usually
took him everywhere I could. I think I may have a good perspective
for you.
> Fully Accessible
> Open to all ages including early walkers and those in wheelchairs.
Distance
> can be covered at a walking pace of 2+ miles per hour with no or
almost no
> inclines of more than 100 feet. Trail may or may not be paved but is
> suitable for wheeled transportation (strollers, walkers,
wheelchairs) and is
> safe for the visually impaired.
Question - are there guardrails or such to prevent tipovers? If
there are, that would be a useful bit of information. I would
attempt this box with my father in a wheelchair, and I would bring
along my 5 year old. I don't know if the mph information would be
relevant, since everyone travels at a different pace. But I do get
the point. Perhaps a different qualifier would serve better. Let me
think about that one for a while.
> Very Easy
> Open to all ages including early walkers. Distance can be covered
at a
> walking pace of 2+ miles per hour with no or almost no inclines of
more than
> 100 feet. Trail suitable for large wheeled transportation but
walkers and
> light strollers may have difficulty. Trail safe for visually
impaired with
> assistance.
Okay, you've given some caveats that I completely understand and can
make a judgement call based on what you've written.
> Easy
> Open to all ages including early walkers. Distance can be covered
at a
> walking pace of 1.5 to 2 miles per hour with no inclines of greater
than 200
> feet. Trail suitable for large wheeled transportation but walkers
and light
> strollers may have difficulty. Trail safe for visually impaired with
> assistance.
Your qualifier of mph now starts to make more sense. The first
designation of 2 mph was a benchmark. So was the incline rate.
Okay. I can now extrapolate. This is good.
> Moderate
> Open to strong walkers or babies in carriers. Distance can be
covered at a
> walking pace of 1 to 1.5 miles per hour with no inclines of greater
than 400
> feet. Trail may not be suitable for wheeled transportation or the
visually
> impaired. Box is accessible to children.
Question here - children of what age? 2? 11? A range of age would be
helpful here. I would attempt this box with my 12 year old who is
trained as my guide, but would I attempt this box with my 5 year old?
> Difficult
> Open to experienced walkers or babies in carriers. Distance can be
covered
> at a walking pace of 1 mile per hour average with some climbing
involved.
> Trail not suitable for wheeled transportation or the visually
impaired. Box
> may or may not be accessible to children.
Okay - stern warnings. I would not attempt this box unless I was
with an experienced letterboxing adult and I definitely would not
take *any* of my children.
> Challenging
> For experienced older walkers. Distance covered at an average pace
under 1
> mile per hour or with many climbing segments or with the inclusion
of off
> trail hiking for some distance. Trail not suitable for the very
young,
> wheeled transportation, visually impaired and care should be take
with
> mentally challenged. Box most likely not accessible to children.
Define "older" walkers. "Care should be taken with mentally
challenged" assumes that the person is accompanied by a non-mentally
challenged person. Perhaps that should be in there. And your
qualifiers allow me extrapolate further.
> Extreme
> Not recommended for walkers under the age of 10 and then only with
previous
> experience. Distance covered may be more than 5 miles, include
steep climbs
> and/or extensive off trail hiking. Not suitable for children,
physically or
> mentally challenged. Box not accessible to children.
That one is plain and simple.
I hope this was helpful.
Warrior Woman
letterbox, and I usually take my children with me. My father (passed
way two years ago) was a quadriplegic for 30+ years, and I usually
took him everywhere I could. I think I may have a good perspective
for you.
> Fully Accessible
> Open to all ages including early walkers and those in wheelchairs.
Distance
> can be covered at a walking pace of 2+ miles per hour with no or
almost no
> inclines of more than 100 feet. Trail may or may not be paved but is
> suitable for wheeled transportation (strollers, walkers,
wheelchairs) and is
> safe for the visually impaired.
Question - are there guardrails or such to prevent tipovers? If
there are, that would be a useful bit of information. I would
attempt this box with my father in a wheelchair, and I would bring
along my 5 year old. I don't know if the mph information would be
relevant, since everyone travels at a different pace. But I do get
the point. Perhaps a different qualifier would serve better. Let me
think about that one for a while.
> Very Easy
> Open to all ages including early walkers. Distance can be covered
at a
> walking pace of 2+ miles per hour with no or almost no inclines of
more than
> 100 feet. Trail suitable for large wheeled transportation but
walkers and
> light strollers may have difficulty. Trail safe for visually
impaired with
> assistance.
Okay, you've given some caveats that I completely understand and can
make a judgement call based on what you've written.
> Easy
> Open to all ages including early walkers. Distance can be covered
at a
> walking pace of 1.5 to 2 miles per hour with no inclines of greater
than 200
> feet. Trail suitable for large wheeled transportation but walkers
and light
> strollers may have difficulty. Trail safe for visually impaired with
> assistance.
Your qualifier of mph now starts to make more sense. The first
designation of 2 mph was a benchmark. So was the incline rate.
Okay. I can now extrapolate. This is good.
> Moderate
> Open to strong walkers or babies in carriers. Distance can be
covered at a
> walking pace of 1 to 1.5 miles per hour with no inclines of greater
than 400
> feet. Trail may not be suitable for wheeled transportation or the
visually
> impaired. Box is accessible to children.
Question here - children of what age? 2? 11? A range of age would be
helpful here. I would attempt this box with my 12 year old who is
trained as my guide, but would I attempt this box with my 5 year old?
> Difficult
> Open to experienced walkers or babies in carriers. Distance can be
covered
> at a walking pace of 1 mile per hour average with some climbing
involved.
> Trail not suitable for wheeled transportation or the visually
impaired. Box
> may or may not be accessible to children.
Okay - stern warnings. I would not attempt this box unless I was
with an experienced letterboxing adult and I definitely would not
take *any* of my children.
> Challenging
> For experienced older walkers. Distance covered at an average pace
under 1
> mile per hour or with many climbing segments or with the inclusion
of off
> trail hiking for some distance. Trail not suitable for the very
young,
> wheeled transportation, visually impaired and care should be take
with
> mentally challenged. Box most likely not accessible to children.
Define "older" walkers. "Care should be taken with mentally
challenged" assumes that the person is accompanied by a non-mentally
challenged person. Perhaps that should be in there. And your
qualifiers allow me extrapolate further.
> Extreme
> Not recommended for walkers under the age of 10 and then only with
previous
> experience. Distance covered may be more than 5 miles, include
steep climbs
> and/or extensive off trail hiking. Not suitable for children,
physically or
> mentally challenged. Box not accessible to children.
That one is plain and simple.
I hope this was helpful.
Warrior Woman
RE: [LbNA] Letterboxing Walking/Retrieval Guide
From: Annye Keenberg (annye@sbcglobal.net) |
Date: 2003-06-05 16:37:46 UTC-07:00
>cryptic directions over the same path.
I agree - we've mistakenly searched under the wrong tree countless times
because what looks like an obvious spot to one person, doesn't to another. I
wouldn't mind seeing such a thing included in the rating system being tested
on the site.
My son's clues would all count as so simple they are silly of course, but
they are designed for other kids :)
Annette
I agree - we've mistakenly searched under the wrong tree countless times
because what looks like an obvious spot to one person, doesn't to another. I
wouldn't mind seeing such a thing included in the rating system being tested
on the site.
My son's clues would all count as so simple they are silly of course, but
they are designed for other kids :)
Annette
RE: [LbNA] Letterboxing Walking/Retrieval Guide
From: Annye Keenberg (annye@sbcglobal.net) |
Date: 2003-06-05 16:59:32 UTC-07:00
A couple of people brought up the "speed" factor and why my son used that. I
guess we count that confusion as mom's fault as I left off part of what he'd
written, figuring it wasn't important to the post :) Woops!
He does have an introductory section which explains how the "average"
five-year-old with no physical limitations can generally cover flat ground,
such as a sidewalk, at a rate of 2-3 mph and all speed ratings are based
upon a five-year-old going at a sidewalk pace of 2 mph. I keep trying to
convince him to add a disclaimer about that being a motivated five-year-old
who isn't wandering off to look at every rock and bug :) And my son keeps
countering with "that's part of the fun of doing this mom!"
Annette
guess we count that confusion as mom's fault as I left off part of what he'd
written, figuring it wasn't important to the post :) Woops!
He does have an introductory section which explains how the "average"
five-year-old with no physical limitations can generally cover flat ground,
such as a sidewalk, at a rate of 2-3 mph and all speed ratings are based
upon a five-year-old going at a sidewalk pace of 2 mph. I keep trying to
convince him to add a disclaimer about that being a motivated five-year-old
who isn't wandering off to look at every rock and bug :) And my son keeps
countering with "that's part of the fun of doing this mom!"
Annette
RE: [LbNA] Re: Letterboxing Walking/Retrieval Guide
From: Annye Keenberg (annye@sbcglobal.net) |
Date: 2003-06-05 17:06:43 UTC-07:00
>Question - are there guardrails or such to prevent tipovers?
We had a few discussions about creating another level where it just includes
paths with guardrails or similar protective factors. In the end, the
decision came to not have two levels and to include with any listing for the
"fully accessible" level details on how that was decided - terrain type,
guardrails, notations if alternate paths are needed to use wheelchair ramps,
etc. While out hunting today, we came across the first box we'd list as
fully accessible, had we planted it. Sidewalks, guardrails on the incline
bridge, handicapped parking three feet from where the box actually is
located.
>Question here - children of what age? 2? 11? A range of age would be
helpful here. I would attempt this box with my 12 year old who is
trained as my guide, but would I attempt this box with my 5 year old?
Good point! I will let him know that he should better qualify ages rather
than using the general terms he has :)
>Define "older" walkers. "Care should be taken with mentally
challenged" assumes that the person is accompanied by a non-mentally
challenged person. Perhaps that should be in there.
Another good point! He made an assumption that the only mentally challenged
people seeking boxes would always have someone with them, as is the case
with the kids he knows. But of course adults with challenges may be looking
for the boxes. I'll bring this up and have him figure out a way to include
"needs assistance" and "fine without assistance" or something similar.
>I hope this was helpful.
Very much! Thank you Warrior Woman :)
We had a few discussions about creating another level where it just includes
paths with guardrails or similar protective factors. In the end, the
decision came to not have two levels and to include with any listing for the
"fully accessible" level details on how that was decided - terrain type,
guardrails, notations if alternate paths are needed to use wheelchair ramps,
etc. While out hunting today, we came across the first box we'd list as
fully accessible, had we planted it. Sidewalks, guardrails on the incline
bridge, handicapped parking three feet from where the box actually is
located.
>Question here - children of what age? 2? 11? A range of age would be
helpful here. I would attempt this box with my 12 year old who is
trained as my guide, but would I attempt this box with my 5 year old?
Good point! I will let him know that he should better qualify ages rather
than using the general terms he has :)
>Define "older" walkers. "Care should be taken with mentally
challenged" assumes that the person is accompanied by a non-mentally
challenged person. Perhaps that should be in there.
Another good point! He made an assumption that the only mentally challenged
people seeking boxes would always have someone with them, as is the case
with the kids he knows. But of course adults with challenges may be looking
for the boxes. I'll bring this up and have him figure out a way to include
"needs assistance" and "fine without assistance" or something similar.
>I hope this was helpful.
Very much! Thank you Warrior Woman :)
Re: [LbNA] Letterboxing Walking/Retrieval Guide
From: (HANNAHKAT@aol.com) |
Date: 2003-06-05 20:26:03 UTC-04:00
In a message dated 6/5/2003 7:59:12 PM Eastern Standard Time,
annye@sbcglobal.net writes:
> He does have an introductory section which explains how the "average"
> five-year-old with no physical limitations can generally cover flat ground,
> such as a sidewalk, at a rate of 2-3 mph and all speed ratings are based
> upon a five-year-old going at a sidewalk pace of 2 mph.
A-ha! okay, much better! Now it all comes together. I would still like to see
an overall approximate distance in each category (just like in the "Extreme"
category), but now I DO think you should leave the speed factor in there. It
works! :-)
-Kim (Rustypuff)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
annye@sbcglobal.net writes:
> He does have an introductory section which explains how the "average"
> five-year-old with no physical limitations can generally cover flat ground,
> such as a sidewalk, at a rate of 2-3 mph and all speed ratings are based
> upon a five-year-old going at a sidewalk pace of 2 mph.
A-ha! okay, much better! Now it all comes together. I would still like to see
an overall approximate distance in each category (just like in the "Extreme"
category), but now I DO think you should leave the speed factor in there. It
works! :-)
-Kim (Rustypuff)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
RE: [LbNA] Letterboxing Walking/Retrieval Guide
From: Annye Keenberg (annye@sbcglobal.net) |
Date: 2003-06-05 17:33:02 UTC-07:00
>an overall approximate distance in each category (just like in the
"Extreme"
I like that idea as well, give people an idea how long they'll be walking at
2mph or whatever. Thanks :)
"Extreme"
I like that idea as well, give people an idea how long they'll be walking at
2mph or whatever. Thanks :)