Spirit and MoonTide the foxes 2009-01-23 16:16:15.000 - Jordan Scampoli,  Summit Intern Peekaboo It has been 143 days since I began interning up here at the Observatory - not straight through of course, but 10 shift weeks after my first fateful trip up as a scared little junior intern (thanks Jeff). Now I'm a big bad senior intern (sorry Ali), and a little nervous that I only have 95 days left before I'm out of here. The first week of my internship I saw the foxes that sometimes loiter around the summit looking for a free meal. This morning watching

Justin's day trip 2009-01-22 11:38:31.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer clouds and summit buildings Who comes to the summit during their off-week? Many of us have made the trek for one reason or another. For example, Ryan Knapp hiked to the summit three times in one week: once to bring a friend, once for Seek the Peak, and once with one of the summer interns, Ted. Occasionally we'll get visited by past interns or observers, just hiking in the beautiful Whites. Most often though, its observers and interns bringing their friends and family on a tour. I mean, we do work

From a volunteer. 2009-01-20 21:22:24.000 - Summit Volunteer,  Summit Volunteer NULL This has been a very good week to be a volunteer here on the summit, cold temperatures (-26), high winds (100+mph), sunny days, foggy days and topped off with today which was a perfect hiking day. Ali (Winter Intern) and I decided to hike down to Lakes of the Clouds after lunch. It was bright and sunny all the way to the hut when a cloud came in and it started to snow. We started back and hiked out of the cloud back into the bright sun. The day

Goggles 2009-01-19 23:08:20.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Staff Meteorologist Two out of infinity. Collect them all today! Most people know someone in their lives that have so many of one item it makes you wonder why they would ever need so many of just one thing. It may be a collection of hats, jerseys, sunglasses, purses, porcelain figures, thimbles, beanie babies, video games...I think you get the idea. Sometimes, you just ignore it or go along with it but others are just so excessive you just up right have to ask the person, "Why?" If it's something they wear, they might

Good Friends 2009-01-18 17:39:22.000 - Mike Finnegan,  IT Observer The last day has been filled with the opportunity to spend some quality time with a few good friends I have not seen in quite a time. It is certainly one of the best parts of the job up here - the number of great folks one is able to meet and form lasting relationships with, brought together by the love the outdoors and the love of the mountain. The first meeting yesterday came around 10 in the morning when Chris from State Park arrived for their shift change. He brought

Cold, busy shift 2009-01-17 20:29:49.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer This shift has certainly been the busiest one so far this winter for visitors. Wednesday night we had one of the USFS Snow Rangers, Jeff Lane, stay overnight with us to get a glimpse into what we do and how we do it. Thursday night we had 8 participants and 2 leaders (including former observer and current meteorologist for channel 13 WGME, Sarah Long) for an EduTrip, and then tonight we have 9 participants and 2 leaders staying for another EduTrip. When this trip leaves tomorrow, it won't end there. Tomorrow

Interns thoughts 2009-01-16 16:24:32.000 - Ali Boris,  Summit Intern Looking East Thursday afternoon Current conditions: cold, white, and amazing. I've just moved from the "left coast" all the way to New Hampshire to get the experience of a lifetime at Mount Washington. So far, it's been just that.On the drive to the base of the auto road, Brian Clark told me that one of his favorite things about working up here is that everything is so dynamic. I totally agree with him --something new happens every day in the weather, in our duties, and in our outreach schedule. Granted, I've

National Geographic Article 2009-01-15 08:54:10.000 - Scot Henley,  Executive Director National Geographic photographer Jose Azel Today is a big day for all of us here at the Mount Washington Observatory.You see, today is the day that the February 2009 edition of NationalGeographic Magazine is released, which includes a fantastic 12-page featureon Mount Washington. Through impressive photography by Maine-based photojournalist Jose Azel andthe first-hand accounts of the author, Neil Shea, the article illustratesthat New Englanders and visitors need to look no further than their ownbackyard to find Arctic conditions that rival any other extreme location onthe planet. Hey, we already know

vol. info 2009-01-14 18:34:43.000 - Summit Volunteers,  Summit Volunteers NULL The wind is blowing, the snow is snowing, but I can weather the storm, I got my love to keep me warm. Wow, that would make a great song, ummm. Jeanine and I are finishing, yet, another week and the wind has, indeed, been blowing and there has been some snow, but Saturday was absolutely stella. The Edu-trip that arrived Friday morning in 300' visibility had the pleasure, the next day, of walking off the summit under glorious skies. Saturday morn the sun was rising and the moon setting in

Distance learning launch 2009-01-13 18:26:10.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer Unrelated to the comment, but beautiful moonset! '30 seconds!' The words everyone on shift wants to hear as they all, painfully, sit without chairs against the wall. It feels like an eternity, your knees start to tremble, your heart pumps a little harder, and a fine sweat breaks out on your brow.'10 seconds!'You're almost done, if you can somehow get your trembling, aching legs to maintain that position for another of Jordan's ten seconds, you're in the clear, you're finished. You breath slowly in and out, hoping your breaths equal more