Letterboxing alone?
Dizzy
2007-06-10 09:45:54
The reason for this question is that soon my partner will be leaving to live permanently in the Midlands due to missing her family up there, so I will be left on my own down here. I won't go into the relationship part of this, other than it will be no more. :(
After many years of hiking on Dartmoor I feel that I know the moors well enough for solo walking, but then comes the safety aspect of it all. No matter how well you know the moors accidents do happen.
I suppose if you leave all grid references, times and contact details with a friend or family member all should be fine. Still, I'm not sure if it's a good idea. I do see people letterboxing and hiking alone but again, if you have a fall, bang you head and left unconsious, what next?
Maybe I'm just being paranoid, so what do you all think about this?
I've created a poll on this to add to your comments.
Cheers
Dizzy
Fulchet
2007-06-10 10:20:29
Dizzy
Sorry to hear about your partner - always sad when relationships break down :cry:
I always letterbox on my own these days. I usually leave my route on the computer and then details of where I've parked and which tors I'm going to on the piano.
Attached to the side of my rucksack is a whistle. Inside I carry a mobile phone (just incase I can get a signal), two orange plastic sheets, warm clothes and wet weather clothes, food and drink (always saving some just in case), a first aid kit, silver wrap around emergency blanket and a torch.
If I fall and bang my head and am unconscious then I'll just have to hope for the best.
At the end of the day though, so long as I remain as safe and sensible as possible without taking unnecessary risks, I just leave it to fate. I'm a firm believer that your life is already mapped out for you and if your time is up when you are out on the moors, then so be it.
I certainly don't let the small chance that I might one day have an accident rule my life. Afterall, you are probably more likely to have a car accident on the way to the moors than get killed whilst walking.
Plus, on the positive side, you haven't got anyone with you moaning that they are too tired and can they go home now please. You can walk for as long as you like.
So go enjoy it :lol: :lol:
wires
2007-06-10 19:00:25
go out on your own you big girl!
Dizzy
2007-06-10 21:07:36
Gagagaga..........wimmpa................................(sucking thumb).
Ok, I WILL venture out on my own and be one with the wilderness. :lol:
Dizzy
Jones family on tor
2007-06-10 21:15:05
Have voted yes, but hopefully it will never come to that, I know the children will go their own ways but with a bit of luck my lovely wife will put up with me for a while yet.
StannyD
2007-06-11 06:20:43
Firstly, sorry to hear about the circumstances which led to this post.
I know you like the looooooooooonnng walks Dizzy so my advice would be to definately let someone know where you are heading and
It only takes one accident to bring up the "Boy I wish i'd let someone know" diary entry!
(I guess having the kids has made me far too soft and sensible- Oh for the beer monster days of the past!)
Take it easy matey and good hunting
Crafty Jo
2007-06-11 08:48:31
I agree with what has been said above. My friends and family are a bit dubious about me boxing alone, but given the two choices of lone boxing or no boxing - I know which one I would choose :D Being quite a novice I try to stick to areas not too far from carparks, this is a bit limiting I know - but with thousands of boxes to find - I think it will keep me happy for a bit. :lol: Brat tor was particularly good hunting yesterday - found 32 and got my 200th box into the bargain :lol: I do always leave details of my walks with a trusted friend - and ring in when I get back to the car.
cranmere
2007-06-11 16:31:56
Sorry to hear of your relationship difficulties, Dizzy.
My partner is currently training for an Ironman in September so I'm increasingly going down to the Moor alone at present while he does strange things like running half marathons and cycling huge distances with like-minded loonies.
Neither poll option is appropriate. I am perfectly happy to letterbox alone, or to walk pretty much anywhere alone for that matter, and unless it's midwinter or similar I rarely tell anyone precisely where I am. I actively enjoy walking alone on occasion and I've just spent 5 days down on the Scillies camping alone and had an excellent time.
NUMBER 70
2007-06-11 17:10:35
Fulchet
(a sorry I have not got the hang of that fancy quoting method)
quote
Attached to the side of my rucksack is a whistle. Inside I carry a mobile phone (just incase I can get a signal)
One observation, if you fall over and can not move because you are in great pain how do you get you mobile out of your ruck sack it is behind you, can you put it in a front pocket. and put the whistle around your neck under the layers out of the way
Just a suggestion
Fulchet
2007-06-11 17:43:32
[quote One observation, if you fall over and can not move because you are in great pain how do you get you mobile out of your ruck sack it is behind you, can you put it in a front pocket. and put the whistle around your neck under the layers out of the way
Just a suggestion
Your observation is worth considering.
Tina
Dizzy
2007-06-11 18:55:07
I tend to carry my mobile in a pouch on my side, it's a real pain when someone rings you and it is tucked away in your rucksack on your back.
As for the whistle, I keep mine in a pocket in my map case that's dangling on my side, or twisted around my neck by the wind. :roll:
Dizzy
Nik - KOTM
2007-06-13 06:17:36
A lot depends where I go if I am travelling alone.
Where I am going, if deep into uncharted lands - then I would like to go with someone. Otherwise I am happy to trudge around alone.
Ducks Pool alone is a doddle, though boring at times, but if I were to go to Cut Hill I would be happier to have company (assuming anyone could stand my company for more than 2 yards!).
In these cases I would happier taking two mobile phones both charged and one with the power turned off - both in seperate waterproof bags
The orange hi-vis sheets are essential.
Better with a survival bag.
And of course the further I go into the depth of Dartmoor the less letterboxing stuff I want to carry. Just a basic kit cards book and stamp pads and a pencil.
A whistle is essential!
And a sense of humour too.
If you are going overnight - think about catching the bus to get there and back
cranmere
2007-06-13 11:50:56
Having cycled for 12 miles with a fractured patella and other major joint damage to the knee (I was green-laning alone before the days of mobiles and needed to get to a proper road in order to get help) I can't envisage being unable to get to my mobile unless I was unconscious or completely paralysed.
Fulchet
2007-06-13 17:59:33
Having cycled for 12 miles with a fractured patella and other major joint damage to the knee (I was green-laning alone before the days of mobiles and needed to get to a proper road in order to get help) I can't envisage being unable to get to my mobile unless I was unconscious or completely paralysed.
I tend to agree Cranmere
Tina
Ki Adi Mundi
2007-06-22 06:57:41
has any of you that letterbox alone consider meeting others - just for letterboxing of course? I think it would be good to share methods and knowledge of the moor and boxing
Dizzy
2007-06-22 08:33:11
I'd like to do that to but sadly most people work during the week. I work every weekend so have Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. But if anyone is interested I do have next week off work, mind you I have to go in on Friday for a shift due to someone going ill, but it's only for the one day.
Dizzy
Fulchet
2007-06-22 16:40:10
One or two of the members have contacted me to meet up. It might be good to meet up in a small group, so people don't feel awkward though. As you say, just for walking.
Tina
Nik - KOTM
2007-06-23 05:47:21
Have a hypothetical situation here........
OK You have met up, shall we say the Railway Pub, you all decide you want to go to Hart Tor... except one of you.
Majority Rules, but do you say, I did that area last week or do you politely keep your mouth shut and just go along for the ride?
Might get some interesting answers from that
Dizzy
2007-06-23 09:52:07
To be honest with you I wouldn't mind. To me going along for the walk is fullfilling enough, letterboxing is just that little bit of icing on the cake.
Being outside on the open moors I feel would make an excellent day in itself, as long as the person that's got the boxes from the already visited area doesn't say, "Well, if you just go over there......................"
Dizzy
Crafty Jo
2007-06-23 10:14:54
Think the idea of meeting up with like minded people a good one - especially if they have a decent compass and gps which they can use, and a spare waterproof coat for me - I'd be quids in!! :wink:
Nik - KOTM
2007-06-23 17:59:41
My thoughts entirely - lol
James&Jenny
2007-07-01 16:34:37
We've decided to make our first journey to Cranmere Pool on the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday weekend.
We're planning to walk from Belstone, via Oke Tor and Okerton Court Pool. I estimate a round trip of about 12 miles.
If anyone would like to join us, for some letterbox hunting into this deeper part of the moor, please message us! :)
Best wishes
James&Jenny
Fulchet
2007-07-02 15:59:13
We're planning to walk from Belstone, via Oke Tor and Okerton Court Pool. I estimate a round trip of about 12 miles.
If anyone would like to join us, for some letterbox hunting into this deeper part of the moor, please message us! :)
Best wishes
James&Jenny
Yes please, count me in - although i'll need the GPS for Belstone.
Tina
James&Jenny
2007-07-02 20:06:24
Tina
Hi Tina
Great! I've sent you a P.M. The Grid Reference for Belstone village is 619935
Best wishes
James :)
Fulchet
2007-07-02 21:06:51
Looking forward to it - responded to pm
Tina
Crafty Jo
2007-07-03 08:19:34
Thanks for the offer James and Jenny, think it may be a good opportunity for me to get to Cranmere Pool in the company of people who know what they are doing with compass, gps etc! Have pencilled the date into my diary and am looking forward to the day. :D
James&Jenny
2007-07-03 17:51:37
Hi Crafty Jo!
That's great! Four of us so far 8)
I've sent you a PM
Best wishes
James
Dizzy
2007-07-03 23:09:24
Blast, I'd love to tag along as well but sadly I have to work weekends, even Bank Hols. Maybe another time :( .
Dizzy
James&Jenny
2007-07-04 17:36:04
Sorry that you can't make it Dizzy - maybe another time?
James
Dizzy
2007-07-04 17:42:47
James
I'd love to guy's but sadly work gets in the way. Definately another time. :)
Dizzy
Fulchet
2007-07-04 18:21:52
James
I'd love to guy's but sadly work gets in the way. Definately another time. :)
Dizzy
It's a real shame you have to work Bank Holiday as well :cry: