24th Annual Seek the Peak Exceeds Fundraising Goal

North Conway, NH, July 25, 2024 – Hikers and sponsors participating in the 24th annual Seek the Peak on July 19-20 contributed over $228,000 to the nonprofit Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS), funds that will propel MWOBS’ commitment to real-time weather data and forecasting in the White Mountains. This result significantly exceeded the organization’s goal of raising $200,000.

“We are once again amazed by our fundraising hikers, sponsors, volunteers, and Mount Washington partners,” Drew Bush, MWOBS Executive Director, said. “The energy at our kick-off party, trailheads, and Après Hike Expo was incredibly high as people from across the Northeast celebrated outdoor adventure. Their efforts will now have a direct and important impact on our work.”

All funds raised during Seek the Peak support the Observatory’s operating budget. The event continues to grow, with 366 participating hikers participating this year, representing an increase of 75 over last year’s total. Seek the Peak touched more than 600 people, including 145 first-year participants and many new guests welcomed at the expo, held on July 20 at Great Glen Trails.

Tuckerman Brewing Company hosted the July 19 kick-off party, where hikers could check in, pick up their new gear, get custom-fitted insoles from Oboz, and talk with MWOBS staff and hosts Mike and Stomp from the Sounds Like a Search and Rescue podcast.

Hikers also received the weather forecast and trail information on Saturday morning from the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and from White Mountain National Forest Trail Stewards at the Ammonoosuc trail head. Participants were also treated to free tours of MWOBS’s summit weather station.

Forty sponsors provided vital support for the event, with 30 organizations exhibiting at the expo and all sponsors contributing gear and other prizes for the annual Seek the Peak raffle. The MWOBS education team partnered with local organizations to offer kid-friendly activities and competitions. Attendees enjoyed live music, a catered meal, 28-foot rock climbing wall, and touring the MWOBS’s snow cat.

The Top Three Individual Fundraisers this year were Joan Kurtz, who raised $10,169.40; Christopher Nichols, who raised $9,555.15; and Lee Eckhart, who raised $6,288. Each wins an overnight trip, plus guest, at the MWOBS summit weather station.

The Top Team Fundraiser was The Nichols Clan, led by captain Chris Nichols, raising $10,325.15, winning an overnight trip to the weather station. The Top Fundraising Student and Family Team, The Kilted Hikers, raising $6,625.09, win a summit day trip for a meet-and-greet with MWOBS’ resident cat, Nimbus. And the Top Fundraising Business Team, Seeking Peaks for Diane, raised $3,634.92, winning an overnight summit trip plus MWOBS marketing benefits of one-year corporate sponsorship.

“We congratulate our winners and every single 2024 participant,” said Charlie Buterbaugh, MWOBS Director of External Affairs. “They have collectively made a major impact, increasing awareness about the Observatory and sustaining our work in long-term data, weather forecasting, research, and education.”

For event photos and highlight videos, visit Mount Washington Observatory’s Facebook page at facebook.com/MWObs/. For staff interviews about the event, visit the links below.

Seek the Peak was presented by Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center and Eastern Mountain Sports with additional support from Tuckerman Brewing Company, Mount Washington Radio Group (93.5 WMWV, Magic 104.5, and Easy 95.3), Martini Northern, NEMO Equipment, Minus33, Oboz, Peter Limmer & Sons, Mount Washington Cog Railway, Mt. Washington Auto Road, Appalachian Mountain Club, New Hampshire State Parks, White Mountain Oil & Propane, Big Dave’s Bagels, The SoakingPot, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Righteous Vices Coffee, Mt. Washington Valley Vibe Magazine, Nordic Village Resort, Vermont Sports Magazine, and other valued sponsors featured at seekthepeak.org.

The 25th Annual Seek the Peak will take place on July 18-19, 2025.

Feature Interviews

SUN TV, Seek the Peak happening Saturday

Outside White Mountains TV, Seek the Peak July 20th: festival and hike-a-thon to support Mount Washington Observatory

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About Mount Washington Observatory:

Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) is a private, nonprofit, member-supported institution with a mission to advance understanding of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather and climate. It serves this mission by maintaining a weather station on the summit of Mount Washington, performing weather and climate research, conducting innovative science education programs, and interpreting the heritage of the Mount Washington region. Our summit facility is located within Mount Washington State Park. For more information, call 603-356-2137 or visit mountwashington.org.

Contact:

Ellen Estabrook, Communications Manager

(603) 356-2137, ext. 223