Seek The Peak 2012

2012-05-28 23:17:32.000 – Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist

STP and see views like this from this afternoon!

STP – three letters that can mean a lot of different things depending on where you work or what you are doing. STP – Standard Talking Points. STP – Six Tall People. STP – Super Tarp Punching? Ok, maybe not, but you get the picture. But for us, STP means only one thing: Seek the Peak. For those not in the know, Seek the Peak is our largest annual fundraiser and helps us operate; and being a nonprofit organization, this event is very important to us (we are not NOAA funded like some out there believe). But what is great about this fundraiser is not only what we get out of it, but what you get out of it as well. First off, you get to be outdoors and hike the mountain. To some, this might be nothing new, but having worked here a number of years, I know a few people that have used this event as their first ascent to the peak. So, if this is you, it is worth that point alone. But in addition to hiking the peak, you also get tons of freebies as you meet certain fundraising goals. Some things you can get when you meet these goals are:
-An EMS Techwich tee shirt

-A EMS Esker Day pack goodie bag full of ‘schwag’

-A limited edition STP Nalgene

-A Petzl Tikka2 headlamp

-An exclusive EMS – STP Cloudburst Rain Jacket – a jacket all of us up here use and enjoy

-And much more, which can all be seen here.

In addition to just receiving fundraising incentives, you will also be entered to win even more gear like gift certificates, trips, vehicle leases, gear, gadgets and more. Additionally, you get admission to a huge after party featuring an outdoor expo, live music, prizes, an all-you-can-eat feast, and the opportunity to meet several awesome people. It is such a great event that every year, the summit crew makes their way down for an hour or two to mingle and of course, eat – we love doing that.

So, how do you participate? Frist off, if you haven’t done so, head over to SeekThePeak.org and register. It’s free and easy to do. Then once you have an account set up, it’s time to start fundraising. Don’t let this frighten you. I know for most, when fundraising is heard, the first thing that comes to mind is selling something like candy bars door to door like you may have done in junior high. Well, the good news is, your voice isn’t cracking any more, you’re not hawking overpriced candy bars, and you’re not going door to door trying not to get kidnapped. No, in this day and age, you can hit your friends, family and coworkers up digitally via Facebook, email, text message, YouTube, Twitter, etc. And if you can get, for example, 200 friends to donate just $1, you will meet your goal in no time. I have done it when I wasn’t working during the event and it is easier than you can imagine.

Once you meet your goal, it all comes down to the events. Friday, July 20th, you will register at the kick -off party we hold at the Weather Discovery Center in North Conway Village. While there, you can check out the exhibits we have while taking in some free food and beer/sodas. Then, on the 21st of July, you hit the trails; or not. While it is a hike-a-thon, if you choose to have a low key day, that is totally up to you. But if you do make it to the summit, you get a free tour of our facilities up here and can ask any weather or observatory related questions you might have with a real life person. Then you’ll hike back down (I like to remind people that it is Seek the Peak…and the Valley too!), hit the showers (or not; but, just sayin’…), and then head over the after party at the base of the Mt Washington Auto Road. This is where you get to eat all that food I was mentioning earlier, as well as where you will win your additional prizes.

So, why am I mentioning all of this? Well, it is May 28th, that means we are less than two months away from the event. So that means you have less than two months to register, get in shape (if needed), and fundraise before the big event. So, where are you going to get started? P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney!…No, that is where Dory from ‘Finding Nemo‘ needs to be heading. Where you need to head to is SeekThePeak.org. Where are you going? SeekThePeak.org! That is where you’re going! SeekThePeak.org… Alright, so, hopefully you know where you are going, what you are doing, what you’re getting, and in less than two short months, where you’ll be heading on July 21st for Seek the Peak 2012! Good luck and see you then!

 

Ryan Knapp,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist