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Betsey


The Community Advocate
Friday, July 14, 2000
Local News

Discover a little box of fun on Mt. Pisgah

By Julia Cho
Contributing Writer

NORTHBOROUGH - What do a plastic box, a rubber stamp and a notebook all have
in common? They are all elements of a letterbox placed on Mt. Pisgah in
Northborough.
Letterboxing is an outdoor activity that started in England in the late
1800s. It's best described as hiking with a twist. In addition to simply
following directions to reach a destination, you also must use a set of
clues to find the hidden letterbox.
Once found, letterbox hunters stamp the notebook in the letterbox with
their personal stamp, then stamp their own notebook with the stamp in the
box. It's a fun pastime that, once you get started on, becomes very
addicting.
The first letterbox was said to have been placed in Dartmoor, England,
where there now are over 21,000 letterboxes. The story goes that in 1854, a
gentleman on the moors placed his calling card in a bottle and left it. No
doubt he had no idea what he had started.
Letterboxing has only been in America for a few years, but it is catching
on quickly. Northborough is home to one of about 28 letterboxes (at last
count) in Massachusetts. It is an activity that can be enjoyed alone or with
family or friends and doesn't take a lot of special equipment. All you need
is a compass, a rubberstamp and ink pad, a small notebook, a pen and, of
course, the clues to find the letterbox.
At the present time, the majority of the clues are on the Letterboxing North
America web site at www.letterboxing.org. The locations of the boxes range
from easy, flat rambles along the seashore to more strenuous hikes through
the mountains. Clues range from the simple to the cryptic. There is a wide
variety for letterbox hunters to choose from and enjoy.
Directions and clues for Mt. Pisgah's letterbox can be found by going to
the Letterboxing North America web site, clicking on Massachusetts on the
map and then clicking on Northborough.
Mt. Pisgah's letterbox is called the "Mt. Pisgah Fledglings," which
reflects what is carved on the stamp in the letterbox. The notebook in the
letterbox shows that it was placed on Oct. 24, 1999, and, so far, has only
been stamped by a few people. Mt. Pisgah was named after the biblical
mountain range where Moses was shown the promised land by God. In the past,
Mt. Pisgah had been used as grazing land and for timber and was deeded to
the town in 1978.
The climb up Mt. Pisgah is a pleasant, easy hike and the clues for finding
the letterbox are straightforward. There is a little thrill in finally
spying the outline of the humble plastic box, neatly hidden so that if you
didn't have the clues, you almost certainly would not find it. In case it
is found by accident, there are instructions in the box explaining why it is
there so that it will not be removed.
Like any outdoor activity, letterboxing requires that you take some
common-sense precautions against the elements. The trails along Mt. Pisgah
are well-marked and maintained, but sturdy footwear should be worn as there
are some rocky and damp patches. A good insect repellant is highly
recommended, as is a bottle of water on a hot day.
Finally, as you follow the directions that lead you to your prize, take
some time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. If you take children along,
consider bringing a small nature guide to help identify the plants and small
animals that you will encounter along the way. You might see deer, wild
turkeys and rabbits, and you will definitely hear the many song birds that
provide a continuous musical backdrop to your walk. Nothing quite beats the
excitement of finding the letterbox itself, but there can be more than half
the fun.



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