Mount Washington Observatory Presents 24th Annual Seek the Peak

North Conway, NH – May 4, 2024 – Seek the Peak, Mount Washington Observatory’s (MWOBS) largest annual fundraiser, returns for its 24th year on Saturday, July 20 to celebrate outdoor adventure in New England with a hike-a-thon followed by Après Hike Expo with live music, rock climbing wall, outdoor brands, great food and much more. All hikers are invited to register at seekthepeak.org, earn gear, and join together in raising vital funds for MWOBS.

“Seek the Peak is the Northeast’s premier hiking event,” said Drew Bush, MWOBS Executive Director. “We’re incredibly excited to welcome back the hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts who care deeply about the White Mountains and to meet new participants. Their efforts will directly impact our ability to make Mount Washington accessible to young students in our region through educational programs, our facility available for undergraduate-to-faculty researchers with whom we partner, and our forecasts and weather observations visible to the White Mountains recreational community.”

This inclusive peer-to-peer fundraising event welcomes hikers of all ability levels to sign up as individuals or create teams and compete for unique prizes, including overnight trips at MWOBS’s world famous weather station. Participants can choose to hike any trail, any day; hiking Mount Washington is not required. Participants who aim to summit Mount Washington on July 20th have the option of selecting the Hike and Make Friends option, which pairs hikers of similar ability level to adventure together.

Businesses are encouraged to create teams and compete for prizes in the Seek the Peak business competition. Area youth and their families will be welcomed for their own Student and Family Competition as well, with registration fees waived for students.

After completing the simple online registration at seekthepeak.org, a personal fundraising page makes it easy for hikers to rally support from family, friends, and colleagues, with all proceeds benefitting MWOBS.

Participants will celebrate in style at the Après Hike Expo on July 20 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Great Glen Trails, at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road, where they will be rewarded with 2024 Seek the Peak t-shirts, backpacks, patches, entry into the epic gear raffle, a family-style meal by Harts’ Turkey Farm Restaurant, and many more prizes. Everyone who registers can also tour MWOBS’ mountaintop weather station during Seek the Peak weekend where Big Dave’s Bagels will provide summit cookies.

Open to the public, the family-friendly Après Hike Expo will feature live music, climbing wall, many outdoor vendors, and a beer garden with Tuckerman Brewing Company.

This year’s goal is to raise $200,000 to support the Observatory’s research, educational programs, and weather services like the Higher Summits Forecast. Seek the Peak is made possible by Presenting Sponsors Great Glen Trails and Eastern Mountain Sports, with additional valued support from the Mount Washington Radio Group (93.5 WMWV, Magic 104.5, and Easy 95.3), Minus33, Oboz Footwear, Martini Northern, The SoakingPot, Peter Limmer & Sons, Tuckerman Brewing Co., Big Dave’s Bagels, Mt. Washington Auto Road, Mount Washington Cog Railway, New Hampshire State Parks, Appalachian Mountain Club, and White Mountain National Forest.

Learn more and register today at seekthepeak.org. Hikers are reminded to hikeSafe and Leave No Trace.

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About Mount Washington Observatory:

Mount Washington Observatory is a private, nonprofit, member-supported institution with a mission to advance understanding of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather and climate. It serves this mission by maintaining a weather station on the summit of Mount Washington, performing weather and climate research, conducting innovative science education programs, and interpreting the heritage of the Mount Washington region. Our summit facility is located within Mount Washington State Park. For more information, call 603-356-2137 or visit mountwashington.org.

Contact:
Ellen Estabrook, Communications Manager
(603) 356-2137, ext. 223
eestabrook@mountwashington.org