From Trailheads to Friendships: How 25 Years of Seek the Peak Built a Community

By MWOBS Staff | April 30, 2025

From Humble Trails to Towering Triumphs

In 2001, a small team with a big vision launched a hike that would change everything. Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) staff members created Seek the Peak—a way for outdoor enthusiasts to support mountain forecasting and weather science by doing what they love: climbing the Northeast’s tallest peak.

That first year, hikers hit the trails with purpose, raising over $11,000 from their families and friends. The event was simple but powerful—T-shirts, goody bags, and a celebratory BBQ under a small tent that left participants inspired and ready to return. MWOBS past staff members Scot Henley and Kimberly Clarke, and current staff member Dr. Peter Crane, were instrumental in launching the event. They knew the climb wasn’t just about reaching the summit—it was about connecting with something greater.

Climbing Higher: A Growing Community

By year two, word was spreading. 125 hikers raised $18,000, and by the third year, 200 hikers brought in $45,000 to support MWOBS’s work in mountain forecasting, education, and research. But more than numbers, Seek the Peak was building a community—where summit selfies turned into friendships, and the trail felt more like a reunion than a race.

As the event grew, so did its heart. Partnerships with Leave No Trace and Appalachian Mountain Club emphasized stewardship and safety. Nashville’s Blue County played a surprise acoustic set under the post-hike tent, where hikers shared laughter, stories, and the joy of the climb.

Reflecting on the magic of the mountain and the meaning behind the climb, Steve Hughes of Pennsylvania shared, “Sometimes we forget how special Mount Washington is. But the excitement of this event made us all stop and appreciate what’s right in front of us.”

Expanding Horizons: New Heights and Big Celebrations

By 2004, 250 hikers raised nearly $55,000, and the event became a full celebration. Wildcat Ski Area hosted the BBQ, featuring chair massages, gondola rides, a bluegrass concert, and wildlife exhibits from Squam Lakes Science Center. It echoed the energy of Mount Washington itself—vibrant, wild, and unforgettable.

In 2005, Seek the Peak raised more than $150,000, nearly tripling the previous year’s total. Over 150 local businesses also helped in the effort through the Rally the Valley Campaign, each donating between $100 and $250. Sharon Hirsch from New Haven, CT, hiked in a long skirt and heavy wool coat to honor Lizzie Bourne, who tragically died near the summit in 1855. Her tribute reminded everyone of the courage, sacrifice, and stories carried up the mountain—threads that wove a deeper meaning into each step.

That spirit continued into the following year. By 2006, over 150 hikers raised $210,000. With new fundraising pages and grand prizes, the event was growing—but the reward remained the same: that view above the tree line, and the feeling of being part of something bigger.

“We rounded a bend, and suddenly the trees opened like cathedral doors. There it was—the world above the tree line. This is why people love this mountain,” shared one hiker that year who found themselves awestruck by the mountain’s majesty. The climb wasn’t just about reaching the summit; it was about experiencing the breathtaking beauty of the journey itself.

Reaching Together: 2007–2012

Seek the Peak gained national attention as hikers from Alabama to Colorado joined in. By 2010, the 10th anniversary welcomed more than 500 hikers and nearly $200,000 raised. In total, the first decade brought in almost $700,000—and even more priceless memories.

In the years that followed, hikers overcame weather, distance, and personal challenges to show up for the Observatory. The community expanded, the impact deepened.

In 2012, MWOBS Weather Observer and Meteorologist Ryan Knapp described it in his blog entry ‘What Seek the Peak Means to Me’ as “like Thanksgiving and Christmas all wrapped up in one.” Volunteers bake cookies for the summit, adding warmth and whimsy to the alpine challenge.

Seek Your Peak, Wherever You Are: 2013

For longtime supporter Dan Poor, Seek the Peak has never been about reaching one particular summit—it’s been about finding meaning in the journey, wherever that may lead. In 2013, Dan and his wife Rickey were unsure if they’d have time to summit Mount Washington and return for the hiker dinner. A reassuring conversation with MWOBS Life Trustee Gail Paine reminded them that it wasn’t about the summit—it was about the spirit of participation. That year, they turned back a mile from the top and started their own tradition of “seeking their peak” in whatever way worked best.

Some years, that’s meant hiking the Randolph Trail System. Other years, it’s been kayaking on Lake Champlain, biking, or walking a favorite local trail.
“Every summer, Seek Your Peak became my way of doing it,” Dan said.

And with that, the event took on new life. 2013 marked the year the Observatory officially embraced the Seek Your Peak message—encouraging participants to take on a personal outdoor challenge anytime, anywhere, in any way that suited them. While Mount Washington remains a beloved focal point, the event’s reach has expanded far beyond the White Mountains, inviting people of all abilities to be part of the movement.

Though the format evolved, the heart of Seek the Peak remained rooted in community and personal meaning.

A Mountain of Meaning

There were teams like the plaid-clad Kilted Hikers and individuals like Christopher Nichols, who raised over $6,500 in 2017. In 2018, hikers honored legacies—like Navy veteran Marty Eckhart who dreamed of sharing the summit with his granddaughter, and Amy Koski, who married atop Mount Washington in memory of her uncle, Mike.

But beyond the activities were the connections—casual hikers becoming lifelong friends, strangers bonded by shared steps and sweeping views. As John Donovan from Rhode Island put it: “There’s something about the challenge of Mount Washington that unites us all. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or brand new to the mountain, you feel that connection.”

A Spirit That Endures: 2020–2024

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Seek the Peak went virtual—but the spirit never wavered. Participants hiked solo or with family, connected from afar, and still raised over $105,000. The mountain, even when out of reach, remained at the heart of the community.

As in-person events returned, so did the energy and excitement. In 2023, hiker and outdoor advocate Kally Abrams jumped in mid-season through her role as Sponsor Minus33 brand ambassador. Despite the late start in early July, she embraced the challenge with enthusiasm—raising funds, joining the climb, and soaking in every moment, from the weather station tour to the Après Hike Expo, complete with live music, local bites, and  ’s beer. Inspired by the experience, she vowed to return in 2024 and encouraged others to hike with purpose.

That 2024 event marked a new milestone—more than $228,000 raised and over 600 people joining in. MWOBS Executive Director Drew Bush called the weekend “electric,” fueled by the kind of energy that only happens when people come together with shared purpose, open hearts, and a love for the mountain.

The Heart Behind the Hike: People Who Make the Peak Possible

Behind every dollar raised and summit reached are the people who made it happen. Volunteers like Sandy and Joan Kurtz, who greet hikers with smiles and kind words year after year as they check in hikers at table S-Z. Summit cookie bakers. Trail angels. Registration-table regulars. The dedicated volunteers like them remind us that support doesn’t always look like a hike—sometimes it looks like replacing a lost meal voucher, heartfelt encouragement, or providing a better fitting T-shirt.

And then there’s Dr. Peter Crane—MWOBS’s historian who helped spark this journey and has been a constant at nearly every single Seek the Peak for 25 years. Through his many roles at the Observatory—from weather observer to program director—Peter’s presence quietly shaped the heart of this event. Now overseeing the Gladys Brooks Memorial Library, he continues to preserve the stories, history, and spirit of Mount Washington. His steady leadership and lifelong dedication to the mountain have inspired generations of hikers, volunteers, and supporters—embodying the very essence of commitment and community.

Each year, Seek the Peak is a reminder of the power of one person to inspire another, of shared effort to build something lasting. It’s in the lives touched—those who climb, those who support, and those who show up, year after year, because this mountain and this mission matter.

25 Years of Celebrating: A Community United by the Mountain

And now, here we are—25 years strong. Seek the Peak has grown from a grassroots effort into a cherished tradition.

To mark this milestone year, Mount Washington Observatory has set its sights on a new summit: raising $250,000 in honor of 25 years. It’s an ambitious goal, but one fueled by the same spirit that has carried this event through two and a half decades of weather, wonder, and unwavering support.

As we gather for the 25th anniversary, we honor the thousands of footsteps that brought us here—and look forward to the many more to come.

Hike your hike. Share the journey. Fuel the future.

Be Part of the Legacy

For 25 years, Seek the Peak has been more than a hike—it’s been a movement powered by passion, purpose, and people like you. Whether you lace up your boots, rally your friends to donate, or simply cheer others on, every step supports the vital work of Mount Washington Observatory.

Register or donate today, as we climb higher together, year after year. Because the view is always better when it’s shared.

Today, that legacy continues. For 25 years, Seek the Peak has been more than a hike—it’s been a movement powered by passion, purpose, and people like you. Whether you hike Mount Washington or pick a peak of your own, on any day or on Saturday, July 19, you’re part of something special.

Join the celebration:

Friday, July 18 – Kickoff Party at Tuckerman Brewing Company
Saturday, July 19
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Observatory Weather Station Tours
4:00 – 7:00 PM | Après Hike Expo at Great Glen Trails

Full Event Schedule

Be part of the legacy.
Lace up your boots, rally your friends to donate, or simply cheer others on—every step supports the vital work of Mount Washington Observatory.

Register or donate today at this link, and climb higher with us. Because the view is always better when it’s shared.