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,

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