What an awesome journey it has been. My first exposure to Mount Washington was a summer internship in 2013. The mountain quickly put me in my place by offering an initiation of snow, plenty of rime ice, and gusts up to 120 mph for my very first shift. It was not long before I learned that balaclava, microspikes, and goggles were critical in this new environment. That summer was the experience of a lifetime. I was fresh out of college and eager to take on the world. Early mornings, long days, and lots of people became the rhythm of summit work.

 

 

 

 

I also had the opportunity to do some research, hone my forecasting skills, and learn so much about mountain meteorology simply through observation. During my off weeks, I picked up a part time job at a screen printing company and made some of my first friends at the Wildcat Inn & Tavern, which ultimately became my summer home. I will never forget how welcomed I felt (thank you Sue, James, Matt, Virginia, Stu, and Amber), and how quickly I fell in love with New Hampshire.

 

 

 

In August 2013 my internship came to a close. I was sad to leave the mountain behind, but eager to enter the workforce at a private company in Oklahoma and take the next step in my career.

 

 

Little did I know I would be returning to the summit just 6 months later to rejoin my shift. This time, I would serve as a full-time Weather Observer and Education Specialist and attempt to fill the big shoes Rebecca Scholand had left behind. If there is anyone I need to recognize, it is Rebecca. Thank you for tirelessly training me, showing me the ropes of the job, answering my countless questions, and serving as a first-rate role model since day 1 of my internship.

 

 

 

I will never forget the day we returned to the base after my very first time on the summit for the internship interview. For me, it was a simple day trip, but for you, it had been a long 8 days of hard work that I would soon become familiar with. You got into your car, turned up Radioactive by Imagine Dragons, and peeled out of the parking lot as a measure of getting reacquainted with society. I thought to myself, “Wow, she is so cool”. Thank you, Becca, for believing in me, always pushing me harder, and helping me get to where I am today! You will always be an inspiration.

 Being the Education Specialist meant handling other special events and media inquiries. It was a great experience having the chance to do live interviews with TV crews, The Weather Channel, and radio stations. I also had the unique opportunity to present a special program to NH Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

 

  

 With the turn of a new year came exciting weather and new opportunities.

 

  

 

To date, the most exhilarating conditions I have experienced on the summit occurred on February 16, 2015. I will never forget the events leading up to the 141 mph wind gust we experienced around 5:30AM that morning. The roar of the wind had surpassed the white noise machines we use in the bunkrooms. I remember Mike Dorfman saying that he awoke around 4AM because his ears were popping. I quickly got dressed and raced upstairs to the weather room to find Mike Dorfman and Ryan Knapp shouting at each other to communicate because the wind was so loud! The three of us had our eyes glued to the Hays chart, which produced a beautiful design of extreme gusts. You might notice some gaps in the data – that’s because we needed to re-ink the pen several times throughout the day!

 

 

Winds were sustained at 120 mph with gusts occasionally exceeding that, maxing out at 141 mph. Temperatures were as low as -35 degrees F. But it was clear as ever with 130 miles of visibility and blue skies overhead. I covered up with every piece of gear I had and stepped outside to do the first observation of the morning. With winds coming from the north, it was nearly impossible to even step beyond the threshold of the observation deck door, never mind venturing beyond the A-frame.

 

 

While carefully assessing the sky condition and visibility as best as possible, a gust came along causing me to briefly lose control of my right arm. This caused the sling psychrometer I was holding to slam against the A frame post. Oops! I had broken the dry bulb thermometer.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

You all are the ones who make this place so special. Your company through a long shift made all the difference, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you!

 

 

 

 

To the entire Observatory staff, thank you for being so welcoming and great to work with! I have enjoyed getting to know you all. It has been nothing short of amazing working with such a dedicated group of people. Together, you are the ones who make this place what it is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Thank you Anita for always knowing when I needed a break. I admire your unmatchable wit and honesty. You have a gift for always bringing people back down to Earth!

 

 

 

Thanks to John and Billy Gorman for so many great memories on the summit. Your hard work and enthusiasm for taking on any job, whatever it may be, does not go unnoticed. I know how special this place is to you both, and I can’t wait to see what projects you tackle next.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to John Mitchell for all the “check in” calls to the summit during the shift week. Your sense of humor is refreshing and you always know how to brighten someone’s day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last but not least, thank you to the entire summit crew, and especially to my shift. You guys are the ones I will miss the most. Thanks for all the laughs, your relentless support, and for always reminding me why I took this job. I feel incredibly lucky to have lived and worked with such an awesome group of people who have so quickly become family. The images below include some of my favorite memories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No matter where this wonderful, amazing life takes me next, I’m sure nothing will compare to the memories I have of life at 6,288ft. Whenever I look back and think of my time on the summit, I’ll be thinking of you all! Thank you for the experience of a lifetime.