A memorable storm 2011-02-18 17:20:55.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer and Meteorologist NULL First of all, our microwave radio link from our tower on the summit to our Weather Discovery Center in North Conway was down from about 9 p.m. last night, to about 4 p.m. this afternoon. During that time period, temperatures hovered right around the freezing mark, sometimes just above and sometimes just below. This creates a thin layer of water between the ice covering the microwave dish and the dish itself, which in turn refracts the beam enough to prevent it from connecting to the valley. Luckily, now

Clear Day on the Summit 2011-02-17 17:17:27.000 - Rebecca Scholand,  Summit Intern The Ravines Just before Sunset Today's conditions on the summit could not be better. Since I walked up to my desk this morning the visibility has not dropped below 75 miles. The winds have been below 40mph since around 7am this morning and on top of all this the temperature rose to 31 degrees. It was a great day to walk out on the deck. It was an even better day for the EduTrip that made its way to the summit today. They were able to take a

Volunteer Thoughts 2011-02-16 21:39:01.000 - Suan Polk,  Summit Volunteer I am wistfully wrapping up the end of my third week as a summit volunteer. Although my son and co-volunteer, Jeff, had to depart early on Saturday, the staff this week has made going solo the second half of the shift very doable and rewarding. I have baked bread, baked desserts, cooked meals, and washed dishes. The cleaning chores leave me with a great sense of accomplishment, and feeding summit visitors is part of the fun. During prior volunteer weeks I have hiked, skied, seen the northern lights, and eaten dinner

First 100 mph Wind 2011-02-15 16:14:46.000 - David Quigley,  Summit Intern NULL Today I experienced my first 100+ mph wind. I woke up at 6:30 AM to find that some exciting weather had arrived. At the time, winds were sustained in the high 80s, gusting to the high 90s. We were in the fog until late morning, so a majority of the early morning was spent monitoring the pitot. The pitot tubes were collecting moisture in the morning, making it necessary to pump on multiple occasions. This explains the extreme lows in the 24 Hour Wind Speed History and Hays

NULL 2011-02-13 20:27:58.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer and Meteorologist NULL It is Sunday, and due to the influx of visitors and very cool makeovers, this is the first time someone on our shift has actually had to write a comment this week. If things had worked out as Steve had planned, I wouldn't be writing a comment right now. I might simply be posting one written by one of two former summit denizens who (for some completely valid reason or another) skedaddled out of here before writing down their thoughts about summit life (you know who you are!). In the

NULL 2011-02-12 23:07:31.000 - John Raines,  Summit Volunteer NULL What a spectacular week! What a spectacular place! I have been climbing Mount Washington for as long as I can remember and it is always new and beautiful, but Mount Washington in winter in its full arctic splendor is amazing. I was not prepared for it and will remember it always.I met tons of great people this week too. Climbers, day trippers, the full time staff. All of them enjoying this amazing environment and equally in awe of nature and its majesty. And riding the Snow cat to the top. What

NULL 2011-02-11 16:23:46.000 - Cara Rudio,  Marketing and Communications Coordinator Bill and Michelle getting "ambushed!" I want to thank everyone who came to the North Conway and SoHo Eastern Mountain Sports stores last night for our partnership celebrations. We got to rub elbows with all the EMS big wigs (who are remarkably down to Earth!) while enjoying an awesome video about our partnership, a live connection with the summit crew and of course, fun giveaways! A special thanks to everyone at EMS for putting together such a great event. I can hardly wait to see all the fun stuff we're

NULL 2011-02-10 22:13:24.000 - Jim Lobley,  Summit Volunteer NULL Leaning into the wind on the summit of Mount Washington was not the only thrill I experienced this past week as a volunteer. I watched as people came and went but all made certain to say thank you for the simple meals we did our best to cook. Winter on the mountain is something I will never forget. I have met some pretty amazing people who do an incredible job. Imagine with winds hitting over 100 miles per hour and temperatures dipping into the -25 degree category not to mention wind

NULL 2011-02-09 22:14:47.000 - Franklin Sames,  Lincoln Middle School Grade 8 Physical Science Tea Franklin Sleeping in Awesome Chair Having spent the last five minutes looking for the other glove liner, I think I now have everything together for the trip down today. I've been up here before but it's at least six years ago. A few things look different, communication technology is definitely different, and the shower system is much improved. But, the most amazing thing about this place is the people who work, sleep, work, and play up here. I know I wrote work twice. These people work.

A Teachers Experience 2011-02-08 22:14:20.000 - Pamela M. Thompson,  Madison Elementary School Grade 4 Teacher On the deck. Tomorrow I leave this amazing place after spending three nights here. Before coming to the observatory, I said I wanted some super wild weather and some clearing skies. I got my wish. Tonight it is approaching wind chills of -50 degrees F with wind speeds of 81mph. It was exhilarating to be outside in that wild weather. Certainly not the place to be if you have any exposed skin. I have a new appreciation and respect for wind.Yesterday we were treated to