Mount Washington Observatory New Years Eve report
Jan 3rd, 2002, 08:00 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mount Washington Observatory New Years Eve report
I spent a very unusual New Year's Eve this year, at the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Two couples paid a very generous donation to the weather observatory for the privledge of being there, so my husband (an obs volunteer) offered to come up and cook a special dinner for them and the whole crew, and I got to go along as well.
Trip up left from the base of the autoroad on the 31st at 8:30am via snowcat. This is a special tractor thing made for plowing and traveling up/down the mountain in winter which can carry up to ten people plus driver and front seat passenger and all our gear. The eight mile trip can take between one and three house depending on condition. We made it in just over an hour, right to the door.
The ave. temp. was about -4F with wind blowing between 60 and 80 mph while we were there. Inside was very cozy and warm. We had very comfortable rooms (there were 17 people in all, plus a golden retriever) and private as Obs has the use of the Forest Service quarters this year, giving them an extra four or five rooms.
Unfortunately, they were having a record run of fog...many days without a break, so visability was zero. The visitors did go on tours of the facililty as well as ventures outside to experience the howling winds! I stayed in and helped cook. At one time I did venture out into the wind, and it was all I could do to stand with my back to it, and not blow away. I'm considering returning for a whole week in Feb. for more cooking, and in hopes the weather will break at least briefly for the view.
Many digital photos were taken during our short stay, and if they make it to a website I'll post it. Meanwhile, if you're interested, see www.mountwashington.org for all the information I've not included here. I hope this is interesting to some of you. When we shared our new years eve plans recently, some mentioned wanting a report. Please feel free to email me with specific questions and I'll do my best to answer. Hope you all had a great new years.
Trip up left from the base of the autoroad on the 31st at 8:30am via snowcat. This is a special tractor thing made for plowing and traveling up/down the mountain in winter which can carry up to ten people plus driver and front seat passenger and all our gear. The eight mile trip can take between one and three house depending on condition. We made it in just over an hour, right to the door.
The ave. temp. was about -4F with wind blowing between 60 and 80 mph while we were there. Inside was very cozy and warm. We had very comfortable rooms (there were 17 people in all, plus a golden retriever) and private as Obs has the use of the Forest Service quarters this year, giving them an extra four or five rooms.
Unfortunately, they were having a record run of fog...many days without a break, so visability was zero. The visitors did go on tours of the facililty as well as ventures outside to experience the howling winds! I stayed in and helped cook. At one time I did venture out into the wind, and it was all I could do to stand with my back to it, and not blow away. I'm considering returning for a whole week in Feb. for more cooking, and in hopes the weather will break at least briefly for the view.
Many digital photos were taken during our short stay, and if they make it to a website I'll post it. Meanwhile, if you're interested, see www.mountwashington.org for all the information I've not included here. I hope this is interesting to some of you. When we shared our new years eve plans recently, some mentioned wanting a report. Please feel free to email me with specific questions and I'll do my best to answer. Hope you all had a great new years.
Jan 3rd, 2002, 10:08 AM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ann thank you. I waited for your report and would love to see your photos soon. Did you ever consider going there in September? It is a great time to experience this wonderful area after all summer crowds are gone.
How to arrange such visit? Is there a place to stay overnight? How expensive is such event?
How to arrange such visit? Is there a place to stay overnight? How expensive is such event?
Jan 4th, 2002, 07:19 AM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Gina, the fall would indeed be a lovely time to experience Mt. Washington, but believe it or not, winter is the season the hard core volunteers really crave! In order to become a volunteer, the first step is to join the friends group of the Observatory (see their web page for details). Then, you can get involved with the volunteer program, which is mainly involved with cooking for the crew and whomever else is up there that week.
Over New Year's eve there were two couples who won the trip on an on-line auction fundraiser. They each paid $1,000 for the trip! There are also educational trip which run about $350 for a 24 hour experience and deal with things like life at the top, nature photography, etc. Again, open only to members (i.e. join up and then you can do these things).
If you do look at the website you'll see many photos, especially of the outdoors. But the facility itself is quite cozy and built right into the mountain (so it doesn't blow away!!!). It's like a large apartment with very functional kitchen, a stockroom with enough food for about a six month stay, livingroom with library, TV, VCR, DVD, and bunkrooms for two to six people, and one bathroom (well, it's not the Ritz...). Upstairs is the observatory itself...very modern, full of windows and computers and a killer view when the weather allows! Crew works 12 hours on/12 hours off from Wed. to Wed., then get one week off. Volunteers arrive/depart with shift change, and Edu-trippers spend either a Friday night or a Saturday night on the mountain, unless the stay is extended due to bad weather conditions. The weather rules up there. All in all, it is a very unique experience. Do check it out.
Over New Year's eve there were two couples who won the trip on an on-line auction fundraiser. They each paid $1,000 for the trip! There are also educational trip which run about $350 for a 24 hour experience and deal with things like life at the top, nature photography, etc. Again, open only to members (i.e. join up and then you can do these things).
If you do look at the website you'll see many photos, especially of the outdoors. But the facility itself is quite cozy and built right into the mountain (so it doesn't blow away!!!). It's like a large apartment with very functional kitchen, a stockroom with enough food for about a six month stay, livingroom with library, TV, VCR, DVD, and bunkrooms for two to six people, and one bathroom (well, it's not the Ritz...). Upstairs is the observatory itself...very modern, full of windows and computers and a killer view when the weather allows! Crew works 12 hours on/12 hours off from Wed. to Wed., then get one week off. Volunteers arrive/depart with shift change, and Edu-trippers spend either a Friday night or a Saturday night on the mountain, unless the stay is extended due to bad weather conditions. The weather rules up there. All in all, it is a very unique experience. Do check it out.
