Volunteer notes

2008-07-08 20:19:32.000 – Gates Ingram,  Summit Volunteer

Tower, summit, and the american spirit.

It goes by all to fast. We volunteer to cook, clean, and do whatever our individual skills allow in order to be able to experience the ‘World’s Worst Weather.’ On this weeks watch, we had a peak wind of 76, just over hurricane force, with perhaps visibility down to 40 yds followed the next day- the 4th of July- with visibility of 100 mi., winds at 15-17 mph. We could see into ‘5 states, 2 countrys, AND the Atlantic Ocean’ all for bragging rights, BUT this occurance only happens a few times a year, mostly in winter. So, yes, we are experiencing extremes on two consecutive days found in few places on earth. Neat!! The remainder of the week’s weather has been beautiful from the stand point of nice days found in most scenic mtn regions of the world, but with fast moving clouds- I do mean FAST moving, as in time-lapse photography. A side perk of being part of this life is meeting two very interesting meteorlogocal professionals, the interns who are checking out the possibilities of a future career and to be able to get in some great short hikes as time permits. I got in a couple. Gotta go- the chili is ready and the staff is hungry. Oh, yes- from a beautiful photo-type afternoon only moments earlier- it’s raining!!

Gates Ingram,  Summit Volunteer