Week on the Summit 2012-12-11 22:05:49.000 - Abby Blackburn,  Director of Summit Operations Sunrise on the Summit It's been two years since our last volunteer operation on the Rockpile and it was good to be back. Lots of new faces, interesting people with fascinating lives to share at the dinner table and around breaks for good eats, but first Mike and I would like to thank our four legged friends who made our time here so special. Slim's two golden retrievers Zephyr and Jack, (Slim is the Transportation Czar for MWObs,) are both beautiful and friendly (it's probably overkill to

Wishing for Snow 2012-12-11 00:36:31.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist Giving Mother Nature a Jolly Hint for Snow Today has been anything but winter weather. I woke to snow but the warming temperatures quickly changed it to freezing rain, then rain. With the snow on the ground dwindling by the time I took over observations for the day, I had my doubts if we would have a white Christmas here on the summit in two weeks. Knowing that this is the summit of Mount Washington and anything can happen, I tried my best to encourage Mother Nature with a

All Things Come to an End 2012-12-09 17:50:33.000 - Stephen Lanciani,  Summit Intern A sample of my experiences Time flies when you're living on a mountain, that's how it goes...right? The time has come for me to say my goodbyes to the summit, as I have reached the final days of my internship. It's hard to believe that on Wednesday, I will head down after shift change and not return the following week. Having lived this week on-week off life since August, it will certainly feel weird when I don't meet with the crew at the base next Wednesday morning.

Back into the Fog 2012-12-08 22:14:38.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist NULL After a couple of near perfect days here on the Summit with clear skies, low winds and moderate temperatures for this time of year, we moved back into the fog early this morning. Today also saw a few hikers coming to the Summit to take advantage of the conditions before winter is upon us again in full force.Inside the Observatory, the Christmas Tree is setup in the Living room with decorations being added. Under the tree, a couple of gifts can be seen. There's also a wreath

My First Winter Overnight Since Joining the Observatory 2012-12-07 17:38:14.000 - Krissy Fraser,  Development Coordinator EMS Crew out for a Hike My first winter overnight trip since joining the Obs team in June - good living!I had the fortune of being on a trip along with a team from Eastern Mountain Sports doing a photo shoot for their climbing school. The day started with a smooth ride to the summit arriving at 6,288' to sunshine, calm winds and endless visibility (or 120 miles is what I am told from Intern Steve).We proceeded to spend the entire day outside with EMS

First Trip of the Season 2012-12-06 22:19:50.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL Today kicked off the trip season on the summit with our first overnight. Eastern Mountain Sports rode to the summit today with various staff members to capture some pictures and footage for their climbing school. They were in luck too as the weather could not have cooperated more. With winds decreasing as the day progressed and temperatures rising just enough, it made a long day outside tolerable. Even though this first trip of the season was EMS staff there are still plenty of trips to sign

Our Commute To Work 2012-12-06 00:23:00.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Truck & Van w/ chains was part of todays commute. If you work a typical 9 to 5 job, a commute is part of your daily routine. You wake up, get ready, and then head out the door to hop in a car, wait at a bus stop, ride on a train, board a plane, or walk. If all goes right, you show up on time, do your job, then at the end of the day, you take your method of transportation home and call it a day waiting

Clean Up! 2012-12-04 17:09:13.000 - Brian Fitzgerald,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist NULL It's Tuesday here on the summit, our seventh day and last day of our shift before shift change takes place tomorrow. As is customary on Tuesday, today is our big clean-up day and the day for prepping for the other shift to take over the reigns. Typically we have members who come up and volunteer with us for the week and often aid us in welcoming guests, cooking, and you guessed it- cleaning, especially on Tuesday. In order to run a manned-mountain-top weather station that is operating 24/7 we

A Sea of Clouds 2012-12-03 18:43:28.000 - Mike Dorfman,  Summit Intern NULL This morning, I woke up to typical Mount Washington weather. We were completely socked in the fog and winds were gusting above hurricane force. One of my favorite times on the summit is during moments of patchy fog in high winds, which we had later this morning as the fog on the summit began to clear. It's hard to imagine how fast the wind is actually traveling unless you have a reference, which, in this case, is bits of fog flying over the relatively clear mountain. As the

Marty, in the Fur 2012-12-02 23:40:59.000 - Marty,  Summit Cat Catchin' some rays during the short days Things have been a lot quieter up on the summit over the last few weeks.I've had the observers all to myself, and haven't had to share them with any tourists, guests, volunteers, etc. This is important, because I need quite a bit of attention for all of my kitty needs.That's right, you guessed it, friends! It is I, Marty, the one and only, awake and risen for a few fleeting moments to grace you all with the most important purr-spective on the rockpile-MINE!This