SeekthePeak 2007-07-27 10:46:18.000 - Maria Zatko,  Summit Intern NULL The Observatory has awoken today in a flurry of excitement in anticipation of tomorrow's seventh annual Seek the Peak hike-a-thon. The hike-a-thon is an all day event where hikers can traverse up any trail on Mount Washington. The funds raised for this hike-a-thon benefit the non-profit Mount Washington Observatory. These funds allow the Observatory to continue its scientific research and education of weather and climate.Nearly 250 hikers of all ages and abilities this year will attempt to raise a total of $50,000 to benefit the observatory. Tonight, the Seek the Peak

NULL 2007-07-26 11:30:28.000 - Kyle Paddleford,  Meteorologist NULL As Dan mentioned in his comment yesterday, Wednesday is a very important day on the summit for many different reasons. The meetings usually do take center stage, but of equal importance is the chance to see some familiar faces that I have not seen in a week, and some unfamiliar faces that I am meeting for the very first time. Traveling up the auto road the mood is very upbeat and there is always a sense of eagerness in the air. Yesterday was no exception to that. The whole trip up was

NULL 2007-07-25 17:16:55.000 - Dan Harnos,  Summit Intern NULL With Wednesday comes another shift change, and most likely the staff's most chaotic day (or at least morning) of the week. The day starts out early for at least one observer, with the duty of picking up food and supplies for the upcoming week while most are still asleep. All upgoing staff and volunteers then gather at the base of the auto road for an 8:15 AM departure time. We arrive at the summit typically around 7:45 AM (thanks to the transition from EST to EDT) at which point the massive

Lakes of the Clouds 2007-07-24 22:03:11.000 - Lynn Metcalf,  Summit Intern NULL It is not unique for Cathy and me to make the jaunt down from the summit to visit the Lakes of the Clouds hut. We often like to catch up with the “croo” and join in the suppertime festivities; however, yesterday’s trek led us to a circumstance rather different than usual. Instead of going to hang out with the croo, we were going to be the croo. The two of us got the unique experience of acting as volunteer croo members. For those of you who are not

A Summer Feeling 2007-07-23 01:28:27.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Meteorologist The transition shot A Summer Feeling Sunset: the sky’s chromatic nature wakesbright brilliance on the rocks as colors driftand glow making colorful shadows liftobserver eyes to the skies. The heart quakesfrom a peace etched in a blaze of hues. Sun,your warmth, a hug gripping and shaking soulswith an unending display. Are stoked coalsbeginning to glow an unending run?A veil: natures curtain to unendingvistas, lighting a host of paths and treesthat stand motionless and are unawarelike statues in a kings court. Trembling isjoined by a shiver that flows down to kneesas sharp

An active night for the finer things in life. 2007-07-21 23:31:25.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Meteorologist NULL “Don’t you ever get bored or lonely working nights?” This was raised by a visitor to the summit today about my twilight shift here at the observatory. The short answer is no. To best summarize why I feel this way, I will use a quote by one of my American Studies professors when I was in college: “There is never nothing going on.” Take a minute and let that sink in before continuing.So you’re your thinking, “Well that’s easy for you to say because

Time is... 2007-07-20 23:31:53.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Meteorologist Too much time. Time on the summit sometimes feels like a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. I say this because at any given moment, we recognize two to three different times and two different calendars. If you are thinking that the altitude is getting to us, please, let me explain. So let’s start off with time. For those who have toured, visited, or volunteered at Mount Washington Observatory, you know that during the summer we observe three different times. The first is Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) which we call

A sea of clouds. 2007-07-19 23:13:24.000 - Ryan Knapp,  Meteorologist Our sea of clouds. Midnight, the typical pea soup fog was met with much disenchantment. The thick fog gives everything that can be seen a uniform look. Even though it is pitch black out, I swear everything has a gray look to it. But the next hour brought hope as visibility began to improve and once unfocused objects began to once again take form. The next hours observation, the once gray sky became adorned with the vast expanse of stars I usually take in on a clear night. The only

NULL 2007-07-18 08:47:37.000 - Betty Baker,  Summit Volunteer NULL Good Morning :-)It is with a heavy heart, I leave the mountain. I have spent the past week as a volunteer in the observatory living space. I have been blessed by the beauty of the mountains and the people I have met. A special thanks to my extraordinary partner Karin, who shared her knowledge in the kitchen and her generous spirit. The staff and interns made us feel welcomed and appreciated. The kitchen is stocked with wonderful food possibilities and a willing group, eager to eat. I will miss the routine

NULL 2007-07-17 16:47:21.000 - Elena Crete,  Summit Intern The best 5am experience ever! The Elena Crete ExperienceI am a space grant intern working for the summer at the Bartlett research facility. As a part of my internship I was given a week to stay at the summit of Mt Washington. After 7 days surrounded by great views, blankets of fog and amazing people, I have a whole new perspective on my research. For the past few weeks I have been working on compiling the AMC hut data recorded over the last 16 years. In my week up here I have