Jay wrote:

Is the moisture getting into the zip-lock bags and the plastic boxes also???


Jay,

Well since I hadn't been responsible enough to use zip-locks I can't
answer that question completely. However, both boxes I used are
tupperware type containers and had moisture in them. I don't think it
is likely a direct rain leak, but humidity in the air that is
managing to get inside when they are opened or through small leaks in
the seal. I will likely be in SW Florida over July 4th holidays and
plan to try to find your boxes. I'll report on their condition.
--
Regards,

Eric Mings

Letterboxing International: http://www.letterboxing.com
The 100% Open Letterboxing Community

on 6/14/01 1:38 PM, Eric Mings at elm@letterboxing.com wrote:


> Well since I hadn't been responsible enough to use zip-locks I can't
> answer that question completely. However, both boxes I used are
> tupperware type containers and had moisture in them. I don't think it
> is likely a direct rain leak, but humidity in the air that is
> managing to get inside when they are opened or through small leaks in
> the seal. I will likely be in SW Florida over July 4th holidays and
> plan to try to find your boxes. I'll report on their condition.

Hey Eric,

Definitely double bag in ziplocks... Virtually ALL off my letterboxes are
in rubbermaid type containers. Even though they appear to be weatherproof
and remain sealed, they still end up with a noticeable amount of water when
I check in the them. The added protection of the ziplocks has kept all
contents very dry.

TC
in Portland where we KNOW about rain :-)

Tom wrote:
>Definitely double bag in ziplocks... Virtually ALL off my letterboxes are
>in rubbermaid type containers. Even though they appear to be weatherproof
>and remain sealed, they still end up with a noticeable amount of water when
>I check in the them. The added protection of the ziplocks has kept all
>contents very dry.
>
>TC
>in Portland where we KNOW about rain :-)
>
Tom,

Thanks for the suggestion. I guess you guys up that way are the rain
experts for sure. Seems to almost always be raining in the Northwest
from what I hear. I will zip-lock from now on. However, I think I'll
try the silica in case someone fails to seal everything back in the
bag when stamping in.
--
Regards,

Eric Mings

Letterboxing International: http://www.letterboxing.com
The 100% Open Letterboxing Community

Just returned from a cache (sister sport) I placed in October last year.
They're a bit larger but ammo boxes work quite well out in the rain. This
cache had been sealed in October and didn't have a drop of water inside.
Even made a whoosh noise when I opened it.

There are smaller ammo boxes so it's a good option for a letterbox. I also
use a zip loc bag since, like Portland, it does get quite rainy in and
around Seattle. In my case it's more for the time when folks are retrieving
the logbook than when it's sitting inside the box.

I've heard of folks using silica in their caches but I believe it's only
really good for minor moisture and mildew. Probably a good idea for the
logbook Zip-loc, but I wouldn't plunk it in a tupperware container.

Jeremy

-----Original Message-----
From: Thom Cheney [mailto:tcgrafx@imagina.com]

in Portland where we KNOW about rain :-)

on 6/14/01 2:54 PM, Eric Mings at elm@letterboxing.com wrote:

> I think I'll
> try the silica in case someone fails to seal everything back in the
> bag when stamping in.


I'd be curious to find about how that works out. I purchased some silica at
a local craft store. It is packaged for preserving flowers. I guess the
challenge would be putting this bulk stuff into a semi-permeable bag....

...hmmm...

TC

on 6/14/01 2:54 PM, Eric Mings at elm@letterboxing.com wrote:

> Seems to almost always be raining in the Northwest
> from what I hear.

..well... that's what we tell everyone to keep the place to ourselves :-)