From Summit to Sign-Off: My Farewell to the Rockpile

By Amy Cotter

Enjoying my last Mount Washington sunset (for now) on September 13, 2025.

After two incredible years with the Mount Washington Observatory – first as a summit intern, then an educator in the valley, and finally as a Weather Observer on the summit – it’s time to say goodbye.

Each chapter brought something different. As an intern, I was wide-eyed, eager, and slightly overwhelmed by the number of new things I got to learn about: summit operations, radio calls, tours, forecasting, research, and much more. I even got to ice skate at Lakes of the Clouds! As an educator, I got to share that same wonder with others – translating summit science into stories, games, programs, field trips, and more for students and anyone curious about life in the White Mountains. And then came the final stretch: back on the summit as a full-time Weather Observer, logging the world’s worst weather and living the rhythm of the rockpile week after week.

Enjoying an incredible sunset over a beautiful November undercast during my internship!

One of my favorite parts of the job was, of course, the extreme weather. On my second day as an Observer back in January, I experienced a peak wind gust of 142 mph. This still stands as my personal wind record, and I was out and de-icing in over 100-mph sustained wind speeds. Fighting against those wind speeds is an unreal, exhilarating experience that I can’t accurately put into words – experiencing Mount Washington’s extremes is an incredibly humbling privilege, and the memories of getting knocked over in the wind more times than I can recall, crawling across the deck to get back inside, and butt-scooching while collecting the precipitation can are ones I will always carry with me.

Taking a tumble on the webcam in 100-mph winds on my second day as an observer.

There are so many small moments I’ll carry with me as well – the stillness after a storm, watching lenticular clouds form, the first time logging a weather observation solo after passing my METAR exam, putting together jigsaw puzzles with my shift mates. These are the memories that made the mountain feel like more than just a job.

Taking one of my first weather observations in January of 2025, as captured by my shift mate, Karl.

And of course, none of it would’ve been the same without the people. Across all three roles, I’ve been lucky to work with some of the most passionate, knowledgeable, funny, and supportive folks I’ve ever met. As a summit intern, I had the privilege of working with observers Alex Branton, Charlie Peachey, and Alexis George, which started friendships I hope to hold for years to come. As an educator, I made so many memories working with Jackie Bellefontaine, Brian Fitzgerald, and Amelia Gross. As an observer, I was lucky enough to work with my awesome shift mates, Karl Philippoff, Ryan Knapp, and Monica Stapleton! And a special shout-out to all three seasons’ interns I had the opportunity to work with – Peter, Frank, Madelynn, Max, Zakiya, Antonio, and Alyssa, I am so thankful for all the laughs we shared, and I will forever be impressed by your dedication, enthusiasm, and intelligence!

One of my favorite memories from this summer – viewing the Northern Lights with my shift mates Ryan, Karl, Max, Maddie, and Zakiya and volunteers Diane and Marilyn.

The mountain has taught me more than I expected – certainly about weather and forecasting, but also about communication, collaboration, resilience, education, and that if Nimbus is not fed at exactly the same time before dinner every night, he will glare at you with such anger in his eyes.

Nimbus helping me forecast on September 1, 2024.

While moving on to my next adventure was not an easy decision, I am incredibly excited to share that I will be starting as an atmospheric chemistry Research Assistant at Reed College and Mount Bachelor Observatory in Oregon. From one mountaintop observatory to another, I will carry with me the knowledge, lessons, friendships, and memories that I was lucky enough to experience here at MWOBS.