7-22-11 Stephen Rosenman

2011-07-22 17:04:57.000 – Stephen Rosenman,  Summit Intern

2010 STP Participants Touring the Weather Room

The wait is almost over! For weeks now, anticipation has been growing up here on the summit for the Observatory’s biggest hike-a-thon fundraiser, Seek the Peak. Pictures from registration down at the Weather Discovery Center have been popping up on Facebook today and our wonderful volunteers have not only been cooking some fabulous dinners for us, but have also baked over 700 cookies for all of the hungry hikers that will be arriving to the summit tomorrow. I really am thrilled that Seek the Peak is landing on our shift this year and am excited to meet everyone who, on a regular basis, reads our observer comments, checks the webcams, listens to our weather reports, and provides the support the Observatory needs to stay running. Without sounding too cliche, it really is all of you who keep the Observatory going.

When my friends and family ask how my internship is going, I find myself rushing through what my daily tasks are and spending more time explaining what it is like to be a part of such an amazing organization. I have had numerous interactions while off the mountain in the valley or on the trails where I meet people who are avid followers of the Observatory and are ecstatic to learn about my experience. It simply is awesome to hear people tell you how much they enjoy reading your comments, weekly articles in The Mountain Ear (a Conway newspaper), and listening to your forecast reports on 93.5 WMWV.

I am going to quickly reiterate a couple of things if you are participating in Seek the Peak and hiking up tomorrow. First off, temperatures will be almost as hot as they were today, so while it is a very comfortable 64 degrees up here, it won’t be like that when you start out your hike in the valley. So bring plenty of water! Also, the Tuckerman Ravine trail is CLOSED from the Hermit Shelter to the Alpine Garden Trail above the headwall. So, if you are hiking in from the east at Pinkham Notch, be sure you have an alternate route (it is still possible to get to the Lion’s Head Trail). Lastly, and maybe most importantly, make sure before you leave you have a way to get back down the Mountain. If you are relying on the Cog or Auto Road to get down, be aware that on a nice weekend day (as tomorrow is shaping up to be) the train and shuttles may fill up and not have room available. So I would highly recommend starting out early enough to give yourself enough time to hike down, or have a friend drive up and take you back to the base. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow, enjoy the hike!!

Stephen Rosenman,  Summit Intern