beautiful weather, starry nights, lightning 2008-08-25 10:09:44.000 - Jeff Wehrwein,  Summit Intern Sunrise from the Gulfside Trail The weather this shift has been absolutely beautiful, and that trend continued yesterday with temperatures around 60, light winds, and plentiful sun. The summit was easily mistaken for a beach as visitors lounged around on the rocks and picnicked on the observation deck. Lucky weekend visitors were presented with 50 mile views and some nifty convective clouds as the day progressed. I got out for a few hours to hike in the afternoon, visiting Lion Head and Lakes of the Clouds. Sunset was

intern contemplation 2008-08-24 14:00:28.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer Marty, rockin' his cool cat cap There has been an influx of former interns on the summit this weekend, much to our delight. It’s always great to see faces from the past. Someone you lived with for months at a time. Those who have seen you at your smelliest and still appreciate you for who you are, not what you look like after a week of minimal grooming. I am speaking of Aubrie Pace, who graced Brian and Ryan’s shift, Ryan Buckley, who was our shift’s beloved winter intern, and Linnea Koons,

Incredible Weather 2008-08-23 06:12:04.000 - Mike Finnegan,  IT Observer Sunrise I’ve just come in from the 0400 EST mini-synoptic observation, and it is one beautiful night. The slightest hint of dawn beginning to color the bottoms of the cirrus clouds in the northeast a dark grey, unlike the rest of the clouds that are painted a soft bluish-white from the moon. Orion has climbed his way over Hurricane Mountain, bow clearly in hand. The wind is as still as the dead, and it sounds just as quiet. Valley fog has tucked in the lowlands between Berlin and North Conway for

beautiful summit days 2008-08-22 11:00:35.000 - Stacey Kawecki,  Observer A picture is worth a thousand words. For the first time in a long time I will write about the weather, and it will not include the words fog or rain. Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day. For quite a few hours, not a cloud was visible in the sky, visibility was up to 90 miles and winds completely died. It has been quite a change. While sitting at this desk, I am completely distracted by the view immediately to my left. The northern Presidentials stand tall and prominent while strips

force of the wind 2008-08-21 15:01:37.000 - Jeff Wehrwein,  Summit Intern Looking north from Mount Chocorua On Tuesday afternoon, Stacey and I took advantage of the cool weather in the valley and hiked Mount Chocorua, which is just outside North Conway and south of Mount Washington by about 25 miles. We took the Champney Falls trail to the Piper trail, which together form a relatively tame 3.8-mile route to the summit. Along the trail we found Champney Falls and a healthy population of mushrooms, which have enjoyed the unusually plentiful rain this month.I was surprised by how windy it was

Worth the Price of Admission 2008-08-20 04:58:09.000 - Rob Jones,  Summit Volunteer My visiting wife. Brief Observer Note: Temperatures fell to 31 this morning, which, though short of a record, did allow ice to accumulate for the first time this autumn season.Volunteer's Remarks:So how does one end up cooking and cleaning for a bunch of folks he has never met on top of Mt. Washington? For me it began with the evening news. While I was out snow blowing one of last Winter's many snow events, Charlie Lopesti, a former Observer, was doing a live feed from the summit on

Natalie's Farewell 2008-08-19 11:55:36.000 - Natalie Martin,  Summit Intern This summer I’ve seen fog, rime ice, clear views of over 100 miles, and powerful thunderstorms. I’ve researched the observatory’s carbon footprint, made videos for the obscasts, entered millions of pieces of weather data online, cataloged and labeled our videos, worked in the museum/shop, created SOPs, forecasted, broadcasted, and observed the weather. I’ve made friends with observers, interns, volunteers, and visitors. I’ve peered out of thick glass windows during thunderstorms, ran outside in the fog at night, sat quietly on rocks looking at the vastness before me, and even sought the

Volunteer thoughts... 2008-08-18 14:41:40.000 - Cay Everest,  Summit Volunteer 61 Stairs... Having spent the last 122 hours and 22 minutes at the summit of Mount Washington with the Mount Washington Observatory staff, I have an enriched appreciation of their efforts. I am just now acclimated to breathing 20% less 0xygen and can climb the 61 stairs to the Observatory tower without being winded. I have been lucky to draw a good partner in Rob who has (patiently) taught me much about cooking.nnThe staff has shared their excitement by encouraging us to interact more closely with the weather. We have stood

Hail!!!! 2008-08-17 09:24:56.000 - Jim Salge,  Temporary Observer Hail accumulating during the storm... Well, shortly after I posted yesterday’s comment, the forecasted thunderstorms moved in, with a strange breed of ferocity. Absent from the storm was the typical winds and fog, present was frequent, visible lightning and A LOT of hail. Pea size hail poured down upon the peak for about an hour, covering the ground with a significant coating of ice. For the bike racers yesterday, it was distinctively easier for top racers to meet their personal race goals than those who were not among the elite. While roads

Bike Race and Sun Rays... 2008-08-16 07:01:50.000 - Jim Salge,  Temporary Observer Rain Showers and Sun Rays... This morning is the annual Mount Washington Bicycle Hillclimb, where 600 riders will challenge themselves to one of the toughest climbs in the world. The race, 7.6 miles long, averages a 12% grade and reaches 22% near the top, a treat for tired riders. Every year, it’s a coin toss (or weather conditions toss) as to whether the runners or the bikers will set a faster winning time, leading to the conclusion that there is little mechanical advantage to the wheel on Mount