Doing Some Work at Lakes

2008-09-12 16:04:33.000 – Brian Clark,  Observer

Looking down into Oakes Gulf

On Wednesday, Ken (Director of Summit Operations) tasked me with going down to the Lakes of the Clouds AMC hut to make sure that the temperature and humidity sensor that is located there is ready for the long, harsh winter months that are quickly descending upon the mountain. By this time next week, the hut will be boarded up for the winter, so this is our last chance to easily check things out.n

nThose that frequently read the Observer Comments may remember that back in June, we actually had to replace this (rather expensive) temperature and humidity sensor because it simply did not make it through the winter. Certainly the goal is to have to avoid doing that again after this coming winter.n

nAs Mike mentioned in his comment, yesterday was likely the nicest day we will see for our entire shift. So even though Ryan and I had not planned on taking care of this task until later in the week, plans were altered because of the weather, as is often the case on Mount Washington. We departed the summit at 5 p.m. yesterday, equipped with all the tools, zip ties, and tape we would need to take care of the job.n

nWhile down there, we visited briefly with the Lakes Croo while they were busy preparing one of the last dinners of the season for their nightly guests. We also took the opportunity to take the short trail to the summit of Mt. Monroe once our task was completed. Ryan had never been up there, and I had never been there on a completely clear day, so we figured it was worth going slightly out of our way. I have always thought that Monroe is one of the most picturesque mountains in the Presidentials when we are looking down on it from the summit. Now that I have had the chance to actually be on Monroe on a clear day, I also think it has one of the neatest views of any of the Presidentials that I have been on. Here are a few pictures taken from the summit of Monroe yesterday:n

nBoott Spurr Ridge and Oakes Gulfn

nMt. Washington with the Lakes of the Clouds in the Foregroundn

nThe Southern Presidentialsn

nMt. Clay and Mt. Jeffersonn

nWe started back up the Crawford Path just before 7 p.m. and were able to catch a decent sunset on the way. All in all, not a bad way to spend a couple hours on the job. I was definitely reminded of how lucky I am to get paid to do stuff like hiking on such a beatfiul mountain range!

 

Brian Clark,  Observer