Volunteer Experience 2008-09-02 15:06:22.000 - John Raines,  Summit Volunteer Holding the famous Marty In this brief space I would like to make some comments about my week volunteering at the Mount Washington Observatory. I will skip comments about the natural beauty, the sunsets and the awesome power of nature. That is a given and that is what has drawn me back to this place time after time for more years than I wish to tell. Rather, I want to tell you all how impressed I am with the total professionalism of the summit staff, the science they perform on a

Extremes Are Relative 2008-09-01 16:12:46.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer Yesterday was a fairly breezy day on the summit. The combination of high pressure building in and low pressure departing to the northeast has been creating an increased pressure gradient over the region and therefore some moderate wind speeds on the summit.Moderate by our standards, that is.I mention this because yesterday was one of those days that showed me how much my standard of extremes has changed since I started living and working on Mount Washington. Winds yesterday afternoon were sustained around 50-55 mph with gusts up to 65 or 70.

Day Five 2008-08-31 16:47:53.000 - Mike Carmon,  Summit Intern NULL Saturday was a full yet satisfying day for me at the Observatory. I led my first tour, helped with tons of observations, and recorded a forecast (everyone back home in Jersey was thrilled with that news). I’ll be recording my own forecasts soon enough. I have to admit I’ve learned more in a week than I have in the three months since I’ve graduated college, and I haven’t had a bad experience yet. nnMy fourth night on the summit was definitely the noisiest, and it had nothing to do with

What to do with what is left of summer. 2008-08-30 04:10:10.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Staff Meteorologist Crawford Notch Bear I saw. Any time I want to see my family or past friends, I have to fly. These are not quick puddle jumper type flights; these are cross country excursions that take 6 to 8 hours out of my life. To past the time I play video games, watch movies and read everything. I can’t tell you how many times I have read that safety information card in the seat back pocket. In addition, when I run out of my reading

Back From Vacation 2008-08-29 15:42:39.000 - Brian Clark,  Observer NULL Wednesday was my first day back on the mountain since August 6th. During that three week time period, I was on my first vacation since starting full-time with the Observatory back in early June 2007. I ended up going back to the slightly less mountainous state of Pennsylvania and more specifically, my hometown of State College, PA.nnNaturally, people have been asking me how my vacation was. I always answer that it was very good, but I go on to explain exactly how I know it was a very good vacation.

My First Comment 2008-08-28 17:09:28.000 - Mike Carmon,  Summit Intern NULL Greetings from atop Mt. Washington! My name is Michael Carmon, and today was my first full day working as an intern on the summit. I graduated from Rutgers University this past May with a bachelor’s degree in meteorology, and am looking forward to spending the fall months on the summit. nnWhen I arrived at the observatory yesterday, the sun was shining without a cloud in the sky, and the Atlantic Ocean was even clearly visible for a few morning hours. This was a nice surprise, but something pretty rare

Kathy's Komments 2008-08-27 15:03:27.000 - Kathy Emerson,  Summit Volunteer Happy volunteers. Sometimes I like to wear shorts...in Maine...in the winter. People call me “hot-blooded” (my husband), or “crazy” (everyone else), but the fact is, I’ve always liked the cold! Since I can’t afford a cruise to Antarctica, I thought volunteering at the top of Mount Washington might be the next best thing. And you know what? It’s been a blast! I even talked my husband into coming with me. Since I’m in charge of a small B&B at home, and the chief cook, bottlewasher, and house cleaner, I think that

my first icing 2008-08-26 09:24:40.000 - Jeff Wehrwein,  Summit Intern Sunrise peeking through the fog. My bunk room is on the corner of the building at the bottom of the tower, so when I went to bed last night I could hear the wind howling outside. I was exhausted, so it didn't keep me up for long. This morning, however, I was awoken around 4:30 by a steady thwacking noise reverberating down from the tower. As my brain started to function, I realized that the thwacking could only mean one thing: icing. Just as I was debating whether I really

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,