First Week on The Summit 2012-05-18 16:45:12.000 - Will Broussard,  Outreach Educator View out the Office Windows This was my first visit to New England's highest peak, and to the observatory hunkering bravely 6,288 feet above sea level. We arrived on Monday to a windy and fogged-in summit, which I was told was normal for this time of the year. For two whole days, I remained mostly inside, with the observation deck my only 'outside' place to venture. Limited in movement and visibility resulted in entertaining thoughts of being on a spaceship or in the hull of some ship far

Lightning Show 2012-05-18 00:01:44.000 - Samantha Brady,  Summit Museum Supervisor NULL As the new museum attendant for the summer, I started my shift a few days early. With that being said, I had the opportunity to work on both shifts. As of this past Wednesday, I started working with the shift that I will be working with for the rest of the summer. I am excited to say that the museum is finally all set up and ready for a summer full of visitors to the summit.I am thoroughly enjoying the time I am getting to spend up here getting

Volunteer Notes 2012-05-15 23:12:34.000 - Steve and Ramona Hill,  Summit Volunteers NULL Being a Summit volunteer is one of the best privileges that I have ever enjoyed. And to think that if I had never typed in 'Mount Washington' that day back in 2001 when I was surfing the Internet, I never would have experienced life on the summit that 'The Ob's' has made possible.My wife Ramona and I left Vermont early last Wednesday and drove to the base of the Auto Road to meet Brian, Ryan, Roger, Chris, and Ken for the trip up. The van was loaded and

Comments from my first 4 days... 2012-05-14 18:21:41.000 - Samantha Brady,  Summit Museum Supervisor NULL While up here for my first 4 days, I've gotten to experience the life of living atop Mt. Washington. What it feels like to be outside in 76mph winds, panoramic views of spectacular sunsets, and the opportunity to get to know the crew I will not be working with, as I will be on the opposite shift come Wednesday. They have all been very welcoming. At dinner we all gather together,while we talk about about our day, telling stories, getting to know each other or

Summer Feelings 2012-05-13 23:54:33.000 - Brian Clark,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist After our most recent cold snap at the end of last week, today, even more so than yesterday, looked and felt like summer on more levels than one. When I started my observations this morning, it was relatively warm (in the 40's) and the horizon had that summer time hazy look to it. In fact, visibility was only 35 miles most of the morning, which is nothing compared to what our visibility can be when we're not in the clouds. This afternoon, we even had the first chance at a

Notes from a new Intern 2012-05-12 19:31:26.000 - Christopher Gregg,  Summit Intern Lenticulars building south of the summit. As a new comer to the Mount Washington team, the past few days have been phenomenal for this intern. Coming up to the summit on the auto-road this past Wednesday provided some excellent views of the surrounding scenery with a slight undercast dancing along the surrounding mountainsides. After reaching the summit, meeting the crew, and familiarizing myself with the observatory, my week began. Following Wednesday, the summit was enveloped in a seemingly ever thickening layer of fog. While helping out with tasks

The Woes of the Transition Seasons 2012-05-11 23:46:32.000 - Brian Clark,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist I have a love-hate relationship with transition seasons. I love fall, because of the colors of the leaves, the cool, crisp air, and the prospects of the forthcoming winter season. I hate (well, more like dislike) fall because it's difficult for me to deal with the anticipation of the upcoming ski season. As for the transition season we're in now, spring, I love it because even I need a break from the snow and cold. The warmer weather also allows me to get back into soccer

The Sling Psychomotor & Psychometric Calculator 2012-05-10 20:52:00.000 - Roger Pushor,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Sling Psychrometer/Psychrometric Wheel Calculator The first Cog trains for the season were up this past weekend with plenty of tourists who want to visit the highest point East of the Mississippi and North of the Carolinas. With those visitors will come one very common question of the Observers on the deck when they're doing their observations - What are you doing with that thing you're spinning around in your hand??? The 'thing' is a sling psychrometer which is made up of two thermometers one with the

What Season Are We Really In? 2012-05-09 23:48:04.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL Growing up, we are taught that there are four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. And most people would associate these seasons with the weather or plant life. In spring, flowers and leafs on trees return and things start getting warmer. Summer is hot and can bring severe weather. Fall bring cooler nights and a change in the foliage color. And winter brings the cold and usually snow or ice. Now, while these all hold true for calendars and educational purposes, depending on where you live,

Volunteer Comments 2012-05-08 22:23:29.000 - Candace & Bill Rapf,  Summit Volunteers Marty Spring really has sprung here on the top of the Rockpile. Outside today there were flying, biting insects, and some birdsong was heard. It has been a wonderful week to be a summit volunteer. We have now been here in winter, summer and spring, and all were very different. This has been the most fun!We came in the drizzle and fog but warm temperatures of last Wednesday. We made a stop to put chains on the van before attempting the unpaved section of the road, and arrived in