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2009-02-25 03:01:31.000 – Steve & David Craig,  Summit Volunteers

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It is truly with a sad heart that I realize our volunteer week has come to an end. Some of you, out there, know me from the Mt. Washington forums as ‘Trekker’. My son, David, and I have been fortunate enough to have experienced a full week of Mother Natures awesome winter, from here at the top of the world. It’s been an intense week, allowing us, at times, an opportunity to wander around the summit, checking out the fascinating rime formations, with great views extending, seemingly, forever. At other times the views were limited to 25 feet, and we were thrown around the observation deck in 90+ mile an hour winds and snow, with wind chills around minus 50. How can anyone ask for more fun than this?
We had a full house of guests up here, with a group from Germany, involving themselves in several different experiments, as well as an EMS climbing group, who made it up through howling winds and snow bad enough to force the snowcat to turn around (second time this week). Needless to say the dinner table was lively with conversation! We’ve made a lot of new friends…
The Obs staff is a unique and wonderful group of people. Each one of them has made us feel welcome and at home, extending their hospitality to everyone that comes through their door, while, at the same time, doing their job. It takes a special person to do that week after week and they truly ARE special.Some thoughts from the week…
-How unique to stand in front of your stove and feel snow coming in, from the vents at the top, while cooking.
-How I wish I spoke German.
-How I loved the ‘Schnitzel’ and ‘Bratkartoffeln’ they prepared for us, while stranded here at the top.
-How mind boggling the power of the wind is, when it can blow a drift of snow through closed windows.
-How frail the human body is against that same wind.
-How truly fascinating the endless variations of rime ice can be.
-How I wish I had more time here. David and I will never forget the experience we’ve shared here this week. If any of you, out there reading this, want to see Mt. Washington from a truly new perspective, spend a week volunteering. It does wonders for the soul.

Steve & David Craig,  Summit Volunteers