Meet the Rime Rippin’ Weather Observers

By Alex Branton

Seek the Peak, Mount Washington Observatory’s largest annual fundraiser, is just around corner! On July 19^th, hundreds of members from the community will gather at the Great Glen Trails to celebrate the 2025 hike-a-thon. Event participants can register individually or as a team, and raise money in the days leading up to the event. We are incredibly grateful for event participants and supporters this year, and from years past, for helping to continue MWOBS’ nearly 100-year long legacy.

This year, it is Seek the Peak’s 25^th Anniversary, and we are going BIG. At the Après Hike Expo, expect an expanded vendor village, delicious food, beverages by Tuckerman Brewing Company and Stowe Cider, games and competitions for kids, an epic gear raffle, and so much more! The community has stepped it up too, with over 300 hikers registered so far and a record 53 teams.

One team participating in Seek the Peak is the Rime Rippin’ Weather Observers. This team is made up of Weather Observers Charlie Peachey, Alexis George, and Alex Branton (me!). Charlie, Alexis, and myself are one of two teams of weather observers that live and work in MWOBS’ summit weather station. Here is a bit of backstory to our team name:

During one of our shifts last December, persistent fog, cold temperatures, and elevated northwesterly winds resulted in an incredible, wave like rime ice formation. Rime ice is a common phenomenon that occurs on Mount Washington in the winter season. It is formed when the summit is obscured by fog and temperatures are below freezing. Under these conditions, the liquid water droplets that make up the fog is super cooled – meaning water is in its liquid form even though temperatures are below freezing. When super cooled water droplets collide with structures, objects, or surfaces on the summit, it freezes on contact. High winds on Mount Washington aerate the ice, giving it a low density and an opaque appearance.

Upon discovering that a massive, wave-like rime ice formation had developed on the top of the instrument tower, it immediately reminded Charlie, Alexis, and Alex of surfing. Perhaps it was a long stretch of harsh winter conditions that led to a longing for beach weather, but they were inspired to pretend like they were surfing on the instrument tower. Their shared experience surfing at the top of New England led to the creation of the Subarctic Surf Club and their Seek the Peak team name of Rime Rippin’ Weather Observers.

In an effort to raise money for our team, the Rime Rippin’ Weather Observers designed a Subarctic Surf Club T-shirt. The shirt artistically resembles the original rime ice surf photos while displaying Seek the Peak’s 25^th anniversary logo. The best way to support our team is to join the Subarctic Surf Club and purchase a limited-edition T-shirt! Proceeds from the shirt sale will go directly to the Rime Rippin’ Weather Observers’ fundraising goal.

Support the Rime Rippin’ Weather Observers by purchasing a Shirt!

Follow the links below to purchase

bonfire.com/subarctic-surf-club-charlie         bonfire.com/subarctic-surf-club-alex

bonfire.com/subarctic-surf-club-alexis

To view the Rime Rippin’ Weather Observer’s team fundraising page, visit

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/seekthepeak2025/team/987231/

To register for Seek the Peak, visit

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/seekthepeak2025

We hope that you’ll consider donating to our team to support our weather and climate work at the Home of The World’s Worst Weather. Due to the generosity of supporters like you, MWOBS has been observing and reporting on Mount Washington’s infamous conditions for 90+ years from their mountaintop weather station, maintaining one of North America’s longest continuous climate records. The data we collect is utilized in forecasting models, weather reports, landmark climate research and educational outreach. The free daily forecasts that the Observatory provides are an essential resource for those wishing to enjoy the outdoors in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and beyond.