Giving Back to MWOBS

By Kally Abrams

Editor’s Note: This excerpt is from Kally Abrams’s personal blog; full post linked here.

The day started with 74 MPH winds that pushed us technically into a categorical hurricane force but that’s the middle of our story so let me re-begin, I promise it’s not nearly as complex as the weather.

Seven nights and eight days was our length of volunteer days atop Mount Washington assisting the staff at the Observatory (MWOBS).

My husband Eric & I enjoying the nearly 70 MPH winds as they crashed over the wall like an invisible wave.

Interestingly, our week volunteering coincided with the 24th annual Seek the Peak; which I became more engaged as a Steward.  Over several weeks, I created whimsical posts for social media on serious subjects related to the weather, hiking preparation, trails and trials, forecasts, the strong draw of nature, challenging ourselves, and my very own Ode to Mr. 6,288 in hopes of bringing together community and financial support of MWOBS via their largest fundraising campaign.

All loaded into the MWOBS van for our ride to the top!

There were plenty of unexpected surprises during our stay.  Our week was a whirlwind of volunteer work infused with hurricane force winds, both wet & dry fog, smoke you could taste from the wildfires scorching our earth, glints of a sunset while the clouds refused to let go of the summit denying us viewing of a “plateau-like” overlapping peaks of the Perseid meteor shower as well as hiding the potential for an aurora borealis sighting.

A brief glimpse at a sunset over the Mt Washington summit sign & observatory tower.

 Eric & Nimbus sharing a moment in the well stocked kitchen.

Each day was a flurry of activities, tasks and chores that needed to be completed, not unlike the weather observers and data scientists that live at the summit for a full week then rotating their shift; a week on and a week off.  I’ll admit that sometimes it felt chaotic getting everything done, but channeling equanimity it all came together like a puurfect storm of controlled chaos, creating a rhythm not unlike Nimbus’ purring contently as he settles for a nap on the latest weather report.

Meal preparation was hungrily important. The freezer, refrigerator and pantry were well stocked; Eric and I “only” needed to decide what to create.

Homemade meatballs with baked ziti, a full holiday meal with homemade pumpkin pie, chicken legs that fell off the bone with a hearty pasta salad laced with veggies galore, pork tenderloins accompanied by oodles of salad greens, a hearty Kal creation minestrone soup that hid spinach among other veggies,  and Eric’s Pièce de résistance (Mexican themed bowls that I dare you to say anyone else’s are better) accompanied by the absolute best guacamole made by one of the crew (Karl – please share the recipe).

I spent copious amounts of time in the MWOBS gift shop with Kelly; visitors that week had a treat of duo Kally & Kelly as greeters. We’d ask how they arrived at the summit: “Hey there, did you take the COG or the auto road today?” or “which trail did you hike?” It’s pretty easy to spot the difference in ascents by attire, all eager to enter the Extreme Mount Washington weather museum.

Working at the MWOBS gift shop by day and at night, I had a stuffed Nimbus keeping guard during my “Night at the Extreme Museum” duties.

This museum brings together aspects of Search and Rescue, Rime Ice, Weather Observers and Big Wind exhibits while delivering the science and excitement of a Mount Washington winter to summer visitors of all ages though high-tech, hands-on self-guided exhibits.  When you enter you’ll learn how rime ice forms, pilot a snowcat, see how Mount Washington Observatory scientists observe and record infamous conditions along with getting a taste for life in the alpine zone, plus no ice aces are required!

MWOBS gift shop proceeds support the work of this non-profit. Of course, anyone who knows this gal wouldn’t be surprised that the soft & snuggly Nimbus plush animal was my favorite item sold.

Back in the living quarters where the real Nimbus lives alongside the interns and full-time MWOBS staff, we’d feast as a family sharing stories of our day. Family-style were our meals, lovingly created, with one night sharing the table that was set for 17 for an EDU trip that joined us overnight.

A tasty holiday meal with all of the fixings.

During this EDU trip, eight teachers from across the region learned about how weather and climate affect the natural world, increased their science literacy, and would depart with tools they can use in their classroom sharing the love for environmental science. Education has been an integral part of the Observatory’s mission since its founding in 1932. That spirit of exploration lives on along with the quest for shared learning.

The living quarters aren’t large, so that evening it was truly bustling with lively conversations over tasty vittles, followed by a trek to the iconic Mount Washington summit sign.

 

Our cozy & comfy bunk room for the week.

As I stood at the summit sign, now my 15th time, I recall each ascent with family and friends, in all seasons. Winter is my all time favorite hike to the summit but then again there was that epic “ALL THE WAY FROM MADISON!” presidential traverse.

Admittedly, I may have cheated a smidge in my latest count.  Simply because, most recently I practically rolled out of my bunk, the sign literally only a few steps away from me during my stay.  Albeit one morning it was a great challenge; I was warned of the 83 MPH gust we recorded overnight as I headed out alone onto the observation deck.  It’s an eerie feeling in the fog as your being crashed upon by invisible waves of immense strength!

Eric and I enjoying the top of the MWOBS tower at 6,311 feet in winds that topped 70 MPH during our stay.

Ironically, several of my hiking peeps were partaking in the Annual Adaptive Sunrise Ascent while I was volunteering at the summit.  I awoke super early that morning, before my daily chores began, to meet them just below mile marker six on the Mount Washington Auto Road.  Eagerly, I joined them on the rest of their journey to the summit with Jesse.  He relies on adaptive crutches required by a traumatic brain injury (TBI); he’s 82 years old and this was his ninth walk up.

Team Remembrance (Jesse, Kristin, Amanda, Suzanne, Amy).

Two summer interns: Joshua & Jacob with Eric & I (be on the lookout for these two cool cats, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with during their careers).