Meet MWOBS’ 2026 Seek the Peak Teams

By MWOBS Staff

Another year, another epic Seek the Peak! As of June 2026, there are 430 hikers signed up for Mount Washington Observatory’s annual summer fundraiser and 54 teams, an incredible accomplishment for the Observatory community.

This year, in keeping with tradition, the staff at Mount Washington Observatory have created their own fundraising teams, embarking on some friendly competition. Meet the teams below, and, if you’re feeling in the spirit, we invite you to make a donation to their team to show your support (in June 2026, all gifts up to $20,000 will be matched thanks to two generous donors). Keep an eye out for features highlighting their stories, creativity, and call to action as we enter the final month of fundraising for our largest event of the year.

Obs or it Didn’t Happen

Obs or it Didn’t Happen! While in previous years the Observatory summit team has taken Seek the Peak shift versus shift, they’re joining together as one this year to combine their fundraising and forecasting prowess. Keep an eye out for them on the mountain during your hiking adventures this season, they’ll be keeping an eye out for you!

The team appreciates any support you can provide this crew as they work around the clock to help you plan your summer adventures.

Altitude Adjustment Disorder

This team is made up of fearless MWOBS team members from finance, HR, and retail, supported by their team mascot, Stella, pictured here taking a pre-Seek the Peak hike stretch. You can find Brenda, Brandi, and Katie at the home office in North Conway, New Hampshire (along with Stella, who is also a top notch office companion). Their motto? Changes in latitude, changes in attitude—fueled by caffeine, chaos, and good intentions. You can donate to this team here.

Quest for the Holy Gale

Forged in the clouds and fueled by curiosity, The Quest for the Holy Gale is a fearless band of STEM educators taking on the legendary winds of Mount Washington in the name of fundraising and discovery. Armed with psychrometers and a boundless enthusiasm for science, this team is on a mission to seek the elusive Holy Gale—the mythical force that inspires learning, adventure, and community support. Every donation helps power their quest and supports opportunities for future explorers, innovators, and problem-solvers.

Obs Funcasters

The MWOBS External Affairs team is back again this year with their binoculars seeking peak experiences for community members in celebration of the 26th Annual Seek the Peak! Charlie, Krissy, and Ellen are thrilled to be joined this year by Mark and Sheryl Bunker!

Mark and Sheryl Bunker love hiking in the White Mountains, often in memory of Mark’s late father, Briggs Bunker, who served as the local North Conway weather observer for 45 years. Briggs, who trained as an air traffic controller in the Air Force, would check his weather station daily at the family’s North Conway Village home, then give the 7:45 a.m. local forecast on 93.5 WMWV, rating each day from a nickel to 50 cents from 1973 to 2018. Mark now volunteers his time taking observations at the North Conway, NH NCON3 weather station.

Click here to support the Obs Funcasters.

The Warm Front Volunteers

Like a welcome change in the weather, The Warm Front Volunteers bring energy, care, and hospitality to the Observatory community. This team supports summit and valley operations, helps welcome guests and visitors, and lends a hand with the many projects that keep the Observatory’s work moving year-round.

OBS Heavyweights!

“As the top dogs at the Obs, we’re getting it done day after day. We install weather stations. Write grants. Manage the finances. And, more importantly, we’re hiking with purpose this summer. Our goal: Surpass Nimbus as the number one fundraiser for Seek the Peak. Support us and help bring dogs back to the summit of the Northeast’s highest peak. You too can be heavyweight!” Support Drew Bush and Keith Garrett’s team here.

Nimbus, Resident Summit Cat

Nimbus is on a team of his own, and is currently the second top fundraiser! He wanted to pass along a purr-sonal message:

Feline excited to be back at Seek the Peak for year number 6! Thank you for helping me and my human friends live and work on the meow-tain.

Last year, your pawsome support helped me raise over $15,600 for the Obs!  Your generosity placed me as a top catender in the 2025 Seak the Peak Leaderboard. 

Thanks to the generosity of cat-tastic supporters like you, the non-profit Mount Washington Observatory has been observing and reporting on Mount Washington’s infamous conditions for 90+ years from its meow-taintop weather station, maintaining one of North America’s longest continuous climate records. This data is the catnip of climate research!