Mount Washington Observatory Summer Overnight EduTrips (Check back for updates)
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A True Mount Washington Experience
Overnight EduTrips allow you to fully experience the summit of Mount Washington by spending a night in our weather station at 6,288 feet above sea level, the tallest peak in the Northeast. You’ll get to enjoy a full day of education and alpine adventures, followed by a guided tour of the Mount Washington Observatory's famous mountaintop weather station and the opportunity to meet the scientists living and working in this remote outpost. The content of each trip is custom tailored for you by the educators and observers at Mount Washington. You’ll receive expert, one-on-one instruction with the mountain as your classroom. You might even get the opportunity to witness sunset and sunrise over New England. If you’re looking for the ultimate educational alpine adventure, this is the trip for you.
What's Included
- Round-trip transportation to and from the summit
- A dedicated Observatory trip leader
- Admission to Extreme Mount Washington
- Dinner (Day 1), Breakfast (Day 2), Lunch (Day 2) and snacks.
- An exclusive tour of our mountaintop weather station
- Presentation from our meteorologist on staff
- Customized classroom programs
Trip Format
Your adventure will begin at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road, where you’ll meet your trip leaders and prepare for your journey to the observatory. As you ascend the 8-mile road, you’ll take in the incredible scenery of Pinkham Notch and the Presidential Range while passing our remote weather monitoring stations. When you reach the top you will have gained over 4,500 feet of elevation, traveling from the temperate forest, through tree line, and into to the alpine zone—a rugged, otherworldly landscape of earth and sky. After gaining the summit you’ll head inside the weather station and continue your educational experience at the Mount Washington Observatory.
The rest of your day will include:
- Ample opportunity to explore the summit and experience Mt. Washington's notorious weather
- A behind-the-scenes tour of the Mount Washington Observatory's famous mountaintop weather station, where you'll learn about the institution's work and see the instruments used by Observatory scientists
- A trip to the top of the instrument tower for a birds-eye view of the summit from the highest point on the mountain
- An educational program presented by our meteorologist on staff. They will share their experience working in some of the most extreme weather conditions and explain how they maintain instrumentation at the summit
- The opportunity to experience sunset and/or
sunrise from the tallest peak in the Northeast
- A night in our weather station on the summit of Mount Washington
- Expert instruction in your chosen trip's topic
Trips meet at 1:00pm and generally arrive back at the base around 2:30pm the next day. Some trips may delayed or hastened due to impending weather; however, safety is always the main concern, so please bring your sense of adventure and a willingness to go with the flow.
Dates & Topics
Available Dates
THE SCIENCE OF THUNDERSTORMS
Date: Cancelled
Thunderstorms are an awe-inspiring phenomenon, which stem from a delicate balance of environmental conditions from the surface of the earth to the top of the troposphere. During this summit overnight experience, the meteorology of thunderstorm formation will be examined, starting with the very basics of thermodynamics, gradually building a foundation to examine the fascinating science behind the anatomy of thunderstorms, supercells, and ultimately concluding with tornado development. Lots of hands-on activities, interactive demonstrations, as well as dynamic photo and video footage will accompany the training led by on-summit meteorologists!
Register
HURRICANES AND CYCLONES: THE SCIENCE OF TROPICAL WEATHER
Date: Cancelled
Hurricanes and other tropical systems are some of the most destructive storms on the planet and threaten millions of people each year. Join our summit scientists as we explore the mechanisms that make these storms so powerful, the meteorology behind their formation, and the impacts felt beyond the tropics. We'll include case studies on the most significant tropical events to hit New England and show how a changing climate may affect our coastlines and the storms that shape them in the years to come.
Register
THE SCIENCE OF THUNDERSTORMS
Date: Cancelled
Thunderstorms are an awe-inspiring phenomenon, which stem from a delicate balance of environmental conditions from the surface of the earth to the top of the troposphere. During this summit overnight experience, the meteorology of thunderstorm formation will be examined, starting with the very basics of thermodynamics, gradually building a foundation to examine the fascinating science behind the anatomy of thunderstorms, supercells, and ultimately concluding with tornado development. Lots of hands-on activities, interactive demonstrations, as well as dynamic photo and video footage will accompany the training led by on-summit meteorologists!
Register
HURRICANES AND CYCLONES: THE SCIENCE OF TROPICAL WEATHER
Date: Cancelled
Hurricanes and other tropical systems are some of the most destructive storms on the planet and threaten millions of people each year. Join our summit scientists as we explore the mechanisms that make these storms so powerful, the meteorology behind their formation, and the impacts felt beyond the tropics. We'll include case studies on the most significant tropical events to hit New England and show how a changing climate may affect our coastlines and the storms that shape them in the years to come.
Register
Cost
$429 for supporting members of the nonprofit Mount Washington Observatory.
$499 for non-members. Not a member? Join now to save money and enjoy a number of valuable, exclusive benefits.
* Program rates do not include an additional administrative processing fee charged by our online booking service. This service reduces administrative time and helps Observatory educators, educate!
Health & Safety Requirements
The minimum age for a summer trip is 16. Minors must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or qualified adult leader. No lengthy, strenuous hiking is involved, but participants should be in good physical condition to explore the summit’s great outdoors. Please review our health and safety requirements for detail information about summer weather on Mount Washington.
Participants should dress for hiking, and come equipped with warm clothing, rain gear, and sturdy footwear. Please see the summer gear list required for all overnight trip participants (no high-heels or dress shoes please!).
Gear Requirements
For your health and safety, and for the health and safety of your fellow trip mates, you will be
required to come prepared with attire and gear to protect you from Mount Washington's extreme conditions. View the full list on our
required summer gear list.
If you have any questions about any of this gear, don't hesitate to contact us. We will help you find what you need to enjoy the trip of a lifetime!
Directions
Trips depart from and return to the parking lot at the northeast corner of the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The parking lot is located on Route 16 directly across the road from the main entrance to the Auto Road. Once the group is assembled, we will do group introductions and load our gear into an Observatory vehicle. More specific directions will be made available to the group in the days leading up to your trip.
Cancellations
Trip fees will be refunded for cancellations made at least 30 days before the trip date, less a $50 administrative fee. Cancellations less than 30 days but more than 14 days before the departure date will be credited at 50%. Cancellations made within 14 days of the trip date will result in forfeiture of the entire trip fee.
A minimum of six participants is required for a trip to run. If we do not reach that minimum by one week before the trip, the trip may be cancelled. All registrants will be offered the option of a refund or a re-booking on another trip.
The safety of our guests and employees is of utmost importance, so trips may be cancelled due to extremely inclement weather. We will do our best to notify all participants of the cancellation in advance, but mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable, so we cannot guarantee advance notice. The decision to cancel a trip could be made on the morning of the trip.
Area Lodging
For an extended stay please visit our area lodging page for a variety of options from our lodging partners.