First Time - A Mad Dash

Hi there,

Just joined up.

I'm based in Sussex and have done some limited letterboxing in the area. Have become a little frustrated with some of the trips I'd done, coming up zero or just sites that are now so overgrown it's impossible to access to even see if there's a box (a face of nettles isn't what I'm in this for!).

Therefore I'm doing a rather mad thing in terms of driving down to Dartmoor (east area, around Haytor) with some friends on Saturday. They intend to do a little climbing as well as walking, and I intend to letterbox on the way.

First of all, is this a good place to start?

Second, I was reading on one of the topics that Saddle Tor is really mainly for kids. (I was planning on doing a loop that included Saddle Tor). Will I find it a little too easy and should I steer clear of the area and leave it to the little 'uns? My map reading is good so I don't mind difficult stuff and I've grabbed some clues for the area off of 'ver net so that I know there are some 'sets' in the area. That said, will this be a better way of joining the 100 club (or is Saddle Tor not really counted?

Third (and finally you'll probably be glad to read) I'm wondering what sort of distance could be covered by 3 fit and healthy people in about 8 or 9 hours. Would Haytor to Holwell Tor to Saddle Tor, to Bonehill Rocks, to Top Tor, to Pil Tor, to Ripon Tor be too muc, esp with the letterboxing. People have said that Bonehill is good for boxing as well which is why I include it. Would it be better to leave Bonehill out time wise and go forom Saddle Tor straight to Top Tor?

Any advice would be welcome, and hopefully I' might bump into some people from here in real life?

Many thanks

Chris

Hi welcome to the site Whitewash


Bonehill Rocks and Saddle Tor are mostly kids boxes - there are "mainstream boxes" around the area. But at this time of year the biggest problem is the amount of bracken that is around...

As I have written in other posts - I would tend to aim for Pew Tor on the SouthWest side of the moor.

The art of letterboxing is changing in an odd sort of way 20 years ago there were thousands of boxes in many areas but since the introduction of the five year limit to boxes to reduce the number of boxes on the moor the numbers have dropped dramtically... another problem with the boxing fraternity is the Dartmoor letterbox thief - with the introduction of the 10 figure map references it has made it so much easier for the thief to strike.

What most people do these days is to get one of the charity walks and follow the course and see what else you might be able to find as you wander around. From a personal point of view if I use the GPS then I dont find as many boxes if I use a compass then I tend to find more by chance.

Welcome to the site Whitewash

The Moorland wizard and i was up Pew tor area last weekend most of the boxes was gone we only got about 10 boxes with 6 of us looking so i would not go to Pew tor area

You could drop down the valley to the west of Saddle Tor, there are normally a good few down there (bracken taken into account), then over the stream and up the path west toward Hound Tor where a few more (and a couple en-route -Greator Rocks), and back South towards Chinkwell Tor and Honeybag Tor. That way you'd get a good lot if just scavenging (an easy 20 in a short day), but have the satisfaction that they're not the kid's ones. Also, you can have a very fine hamburger at the Hound of the Basketmeals. And their cake is good too. What more could a person want?

Duckpool

Thanks for all the advice and hints.

Just got back (the journey has taken it's toll on the car, but thats another story!).

Had a fun day. Didn't find much but kids stuff at Haytor. Still stamped if there was one there, but suspect it won't count on my 100 list. Also found a tribute one at the bottom of the rocks. Was in a good state, but didn't have a lid! Found nothing at Holwell Tor (sp as I don't have the map with me), but found what I consider my first proper on on the way to the disused quary enroute to Sadle Tor. Was a total fluke, just turning over a stone out of desperation! Was good to get it though. Found quite a few in the 'quarry' to the east of Sadle Tor and in the end, including kids stamps and ones where there were two stamps in the box (how do they count when adding up?) managed to get to 12 stamps. As those on the moor will know, unfortunately then the weather closed in to a point that a day was called so we could dry off. Found The Rock Inn, had a drink there and got thier stamp, so that made it 13 for the day, but I suspect the number will be reduced with the doubles etc.

Good fun was had by all.

thanks

We are new to letterboxing thought it would be good excersise and not boring and its free! Went out for the first time yesterday to bonehill we found a few but there were quite alot with missing stamps which was annoying. We found the Bonehill skyline ones think there must be 4 in total are they the official ones? 2 of the stamps were missing again but got the other 2. Off to the Quarry today as you did yesterday in search for the "propper stamp" How does the 100 club work, are official stamps the only ones counted and how do you know if they are official?

exeter bog hoppers wrote:Welcome to the site Whitewash

The Moorland wizard and i was up Pew tor area last weekend most of the boxes was gone we only got about 10 boxes with 6 of us looking so i would not go to Pew tor area

Dont forget about the Hampshire Stripper and the little devil

Sorry Dave and with the Hampshire Stripper and the Little Devil

Ah, Exeter Bog Hoppers!!! Beleive I found one of your Christmas Walk stamps in the quarry.

Hi Whitewash you could have done i know we left a few out do you know the full grid ref and i will check Jason

We went to Haytor Quarry today in seach of the "propper" stamp but did not find it which was to be expected. Did find a boys 10th birthday box trail which was still fun just couldnt find boxes 2, 4 and 7. Think we are going about this letter boxing thing the wrong way only finding kids ones, very tired having spent 3 and half hours up in a cloud getting wet!

Charlie & Ryan

The majority of the stamps that I found that weren't placed by youngsters were in the rocks / quarry between Holwell Tor and Saddle Tor. You do need to look carefuly though. It's easy to walk straight by, or even over the containers. Moving rocks and stones may well find some, but obviously there are lots of rocks that don't have them under!!!

Know what you mean about the weather. My firends and I came off the mountain at about 4 in the end. Very wet and windswept. Drying out in the Rock Inn was nice though, and of course they had a stamp as well!

Chris