Changes on the Summit

2007-05-07 02:17:52.000 – Mike Finnegan,  Summit Intern

Moon in Clouds

With warming temperatures and generally friendly weather, things have been changing. The last few days have brought many new sights to the summit. The large snowfield blocking the path of the cog mentioned in the last comment has been cleared and the cog has made it to the top of the summit. Today was also the first day where the snowcat was left to rest and the truck with the new, pointy chains energetically made its first trip to the summit. Nin is the only cat up here now!

Visitors to the summit have seen a new experiment set up on the obs deck used to measure the effects of icing. Employees from the State Park have been working hard to prepare the Sherman Adams building for the coming of the summer crowds – it won’t be long until doors open to the public. Meanwhile, many of the MWO valley staff came up earlier this week to prepare the museum here on the summit. The museum in North Conway at the Weather Discovery Center is currently open on the weekends – go check them out!

The weather, which earlier this week was sustained in the 60’s and gusting to over 100 mph has moderated and today brought us winds calm enough to go outside on the obs deck for a while and kick the soccer ball around. Come to think about it, that 113 mph gust is another change…winds such as that are typically reserved for the other shift. We are currently experiencing the driest air we’ve had in weeks, and with such a late moonrise and clear skies, the stars have been brilliant. This is not to take away from the moon though – although no longer full as it was Wednesday, it still has a remarkable orange tint to it while low on the horizon.

Although all these things are great, the highlight of the week has been the opportunity to have my girlfriend, Chris, up here for a couple days. It was nice to show her exactly what it is I do up here and meet all the folks I’ve been talking to her about for the five months she was away in New Zealand.

Finally, I’d like to thank our volunteer, Katherine, for her amazing meals and use of the picture above. Check out more of her photographs.

Mike Finnegan,  Summit Intern