Supporter Spotlight: Ryan Shepard

By Ryan Shepard and Carissa Milliman

Ever since I was a kid, living in Western New York and growing up with lake effect snow, I thought harsh weather was incredibly cool. There is nothing like witnessing incredible feats of weather and how nature affects day-to-day life. And frankly, who doesn’t just dig snow days, both as a student and then (sometimes) as an adult? I still remember snowstorms from the late seventies, and the ice storm that hit my area back in the early nineties.

When I moved to the Mount Washington Valley in 2021, I considered myself (and still do) to be incredibly fortunate. I knew I wanted to get involved with MWOBS in some way, even if it meant just going up there to visit. I learned early on just how vast the amount of work was that the Observatory did, and that inspired me to at least donate and become a member. Shortly thereafter, I began participating in Seek the Peak, which is one of my favorite times of the year.

I use MWOBS’ daily forecasts, both in my own preparation for hikes, as well as educating the folks I meet who come into my store in Conway. Many people are still surprised to learn that the weather in the valley does not mirror that on the summit. The forecasting helps me with their preparation and growth as outdoor enthusiasts.

I give to MWOBS because not only do I want others to be educated on how weather can affect our lives, but because I want to make it possible for more and more students of meteorology to experience being at the summit. In another life, maybe it’s a career path I would have pursued. In this life, I can at least contribute towards future meteorologists learning on the mountain, having an amazing time seeing that weather up close.

To me, the “world’s worst weather” is the world’s best weather – it captivates me and holds my attention like nothing else. That’s why I give to the Mount Washington Observatory: I celebrate that winter maelstrom.