FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mountain Climber Rick Wilcox to Be Honored as Mount Washington Observatory Gears Up For 26^th Annual Seek the Peak

North Conway, NH (June 30, 2026) – Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) will honor internationally acclaimed mountain climber Rick Wilcox with its Barbara and Brad Washburn Award at this year’s 26^th Annual Seek the Peak on July 18, 2026. The nonprofit’s largest annual fundraising event will be returning to Wildcat Mountain Resort after 20 years, and the award, celebrating meaningful contributions to both the Observatory and the broader community it serves, will be presented for the first time since honoring its namesake nearly two decades ago.

Family, friends and adventurers can join in celebrating this unique award by joining the event, MWOBS’s largest annual fundraiser, which generates much needed revenue for the organization’s operations, forecasting, research, and educational programs. From now until the Après Hike Celebration on Saturday, July 18, those who join can double their impact thanks to a 1:1 matching gift from a generous donor for all donations up to $26,000. Interested hikers can register today at seekthepeak.org.

“We’re fortunate to have such a passionate community of hikers willing to support our work,” Drew Bush, MWOBS Executive Director, said. “Each year, this event has grown in numbers of participants and in the fun activities we offer all who attend our celebration. This year will be no exception and could be our best yet. I can’t wait to welcome everyone to Mount Washington and Wildcat for all that we have planned.”

Hike-a-Thon

While Mount Washington tends to be the most popular hike each year, hiking Mount Washington is not required, nor is it required to hike on July 18. Participants may choose to hike any trail, any day, as long as the hike is completed by July 18 (registration fees are waived for all students and youth 15 years of age and younger).

Hikers of all abilities can sign up individually or as part of a team, with the sign-up fee counting toward their fundraising total. The “Hike and Make Friends” option helps participants find fellow hikers who match their hiking abilities and preferences. Guineafowl Adventure Company is also offering a guided day hike and weekend overnight adventure during Seek the Peak weekend, which can be found on their website at guineafowladventure.com.

There are myriad prizes for participating, such as exclusive 2026 Seek the Peak T-shirts by Eastern Mountain Sports and commemorative Minus33 Seek the Peak socks. Fundraisers can also earn exclusive backpacks, limited edition Burgeon Outdoor hoodies, custom beanies by Ragged Mountain Equipment, and entries for the epic gear raffle. Top individual fundraisers will be in the running to win a design collaboration with Ragged Mountain Equipment to test out a new piece of custom gear, a family camping package from L.L. Bean, ski passes from Vail Resorts, or a gift card to gear up with New Hampshire-based outerwear brand Terracea. Top fundraising teams will also be entered to win exciting prizes, like a summit weather station day trip for their team.

Après Hike Celebration

Following the Seek the Peak Hike-a-Thon, MWOBS will be hosting its Après Hike Celebration on Saturday, July 18, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Wildcat Mountain, located at 542 Route 16, Pinkham Notch, Gorham, NH 0358. This family-friendly event is open to the public and includes live music, giveaways, a BBQ-style feast provided by Chef Joe’s Catering, Tuckerman Brewing Company’s beer garden (with beverages also provided by Stowe Cider), industry-leading gear brands, and activities for kids, including a rock-climbing wall. Participants will also be able to ride the Wildcat Express chairlift to the summit of Wildcat Mountain to enjoy the surrounding views.

This year, the Observatory will honor North Conway climber Rick Wilcox for his lasting impact within the climbing and search and rescue communities, as well as his connection to the Observatory’s mission. The ceremony will take place during the Après Hike Celebration: Volunteer members of the search and rescue community can receive free admission by emailing events@mountwashington.org.

All participants will also have the opportunity to tour Mount Washington Observatory’s mountaintop weather station for a behind the scenes look at weather research and data collection from the top of New England (tours run from 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday, July 18). Summit cookies will be provided by Big Dave’s Bagels & Deli.

Seek the Peak is made possible by Presenting Sponsors Arc’teryx, Eastern Mountain Sports, Helly Hansen, Martini Northern, and Wildcat Mountain.

Seek the Peak officially begins on Friday, July 17th, with a kick-off party for participants at Tuckerman Brewing Company from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Tuckerman Brewing, located at 66 Hobbs St, Conway, NH 03818. To learn more and to register, visit seekthepeak.org. To make a donation to the event, click here. MWOBS reminds hikers to hikeSafe and Leave No Trace.

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.

About Wildcat Mountain

Wildcat Mountain, located in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and facing the summit of Mount Washington, offers over 2,100 feet of vertical and a mix of challenging terrain and beginner-friendly skiing, including the longest green circle trail in the East at 2.75 miles. Known for its striking views and classic New England character, Wildcat provides a distinctive ski and ride experience. The resort is owned and operated by Vail Resorts, a global network of premier mountain destinations across North America, Europe, and Australia, all accessible with the Epic Pass. Learn more at www.skiwildcat.com, www.VailResorts.com, and www.EpicPass.com.

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