Another intern says goodbye…

2006-08-20 09:15:56.000 – Dan Huber,  Summit Intern

The summer intern exodus has begun. Walter left last Wednesday and Christy and I will leave this Wednesday for greener and calmer pastures. The mountain has left its indubitable mark on all of us and we are richer for it. Since nothing of particular note has occurred since the last comment except for light winds and fog, I will take this opportunity to recall some of my finer memories from the summer.

At the forefront are the high winds. You won’t realize how strong they are unless you frequent certain mountaintops or enjoy strolling through a hurricane. There were frequent estimates of 40 to 70 mile per hour winds by tour groups while the wind is actually blowing at 25 outside. I was outside in some gusts into the mid 80’s which tended to be a lot of fun until raindrops started pelting any uncovered skin. Alas, I did not get a chance to try for membership in the century club, but I did get my mug onto the weather channel. That’s got to be worth something, somewhere.

I got my first ski turns in July ever, despite the terrible snow year and warm summer. I hiked down to the last snow patch in Tuckerman ravine on July 6th and got around 5 turns per run on a 30 foot snow patch. Unsurprisingly, the patch was an icy double fall line but I can guarantee it was the best snow in the east. As the patch melted only days later, my turns were likely the last in the east.

However, as much fun as the hiking, skiing and playing in the high winds were, I thoroughly enjoyed working with the professional crew up here. It’s a unique situation living in an isolated mountain environment with a small crew but fortunately I was paired with a fun yet hardworking crew who kept me sane through insanity during some of the endless days of fog.

Ciao from Mt. Washington

Dan Huber,  Summit Intern