Quite the quiet hike 2012-05-25 18:34:36.000 - Christopher Gregg,  Summit Intern View of the summit from Lakes of the Clouds The start of my second shift on Mount Washington has proved to be interesting. Starting off the day with our commute to the auto-road, fellow intern, Adam Brainard, and I were greeted by a number of low level clouds. We both had high hopes for an under-cast upon our arrival to the summit, but found ourselves inside the clouds. There was a stark contrast in the weather from my previous shift. I had already grown used to high winds and

An unfortunate first 2012-05-25 00:57:40.000 - Brian Clark,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist I've discovered over the last (nearly) five years of working full time on the summit that, just when I think I've seen everything, something new comes along, or I experience a new 'first'. Usually that's a good thing. In fact, I would say that 95% of the time, that's a good thing. Unfortunately, I am in imminent danger of experiencing a first that I'm not excited about at all: my first year of not getting any skiing on the mountain in the month of May.Because I am leaving the

A 'Shift' from Winter to Summer. 2012-05-23 20:39:12.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Sunset on a summer-esque day (today). When we came up to start our last shift on May 9th, it was still cold and snowing. Rime and glaze ice coated everything. As a result (although not completely necessary), we put chains on our 4x4 van at 'halfway'. The building was closed. Our gift shop was empty and was still acting as the exercise room. The road was open, but only to halfway since work was still needed above this point. The summit landscape was a blank, white slate

Volunteer Comments 2012-05-22 22:07:14.000 - Bob Domeracki & John Zimmerman,  Summit Volunteers Marty Last Wednesday, my friend John and I found ourselves on the rather long drive from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire. We do this drive quite a few times a year with other good friends to hike in one of our favorite places on Earth, The White Mountains of New Hampshire. But this trip was to be different, very different. For this was to be the week when our time had come to volunteer on the summit of Mount Washington for the first time. We both have been members

Flying Sauces 2012-05-21 16:49:41.000 - Steve Welsh,  Weather Observer/IT Specialist Chaotic Sky This afternoon we were treated to a great display of Lenticular clouds. It was a truly chaotic sky at times with many distinct layers all stacked up on top of each other. Over time they would slowly change shape often resembling giant "flying saucers" in the process. At other times we saw altocumulus castellanus clouds mixed in with all the other mid-level clouds - a sure sign of turbulent conditions up above.Looks like we'll be back in the fog soon enough though and the extended dry and clear

Warm Temperatures, Light Winds, and Clear Skies 2012-05-20 16:23:49.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Weather Observer/Education Specialist The Summit is Open for the Season The Sherman Adams summit is bustling with excitement again today as visitors from all over make the ascent via the different modes of transportation. The Mount Washington Auto Road is now open to the top for the second day and I have seen car after car turning the corner to home stretch. The Mount Washington Cog Railway has made multiple trips carrying passengers in its historic cars and hikers have arrived from seemingly every trail head to reach

The Commencement of Summer 2012-05-19 23:21:59.000 - Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist Dawn The sun rose at 5:08 am this morning, signaling the dawn of a new epoch.I'm alluding to the unofficial start of the summertime here on Mt. Washington.For the first time this season, the Mt. Washington Auto Road opened its asphalt in its entirety--up to the summit! The Sherman Adams building opened its doors to the public as well, allowing visitors to stream in from outdoors. The weather could not have cooperated more, as temperatures soared to a maximum of 57F under plentiful sunshine, while winds hovered in the

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