Winter EduTrips

Winter Overnight Educational Trips to the Summit of Mount Washington

In an average summer, Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast, is visited by a quarter-million people. In an average winter, only a few hundred make the difficult journey. The mountain's winter secrets are known only to a relative handful of hardy individuals who are willing to endure the challenges and to venture the hazards of what can truly be called the worst weather on earth. Those who are prepared for sub-zero cold, hurricane force winds, and whiteout conditions are occasionally privileged to enjoy remarkable vistas of snow-covered peaks, the setting sun slipping behind ranges 130 miles distant, and other breathtaking experiences known only to the winter mountaineer.

The Mount Washington Observatory EduTrip Program provides an opportunity for properly prepared individuals to encounter the summit of Mount Washington in winter. The educational value of the visit is enhanced by the instruction in subjects pertinent to the mountain environment offered by experienced instructors. Travel to and from the summit is effected by snow tractor, and overnight accommodations are provided at the summit research facility of the Mount Washington Observatory, whose staff has documented the mountain's meteorological extremes for more than 70 years.

This season's EduTrips will focus on such diverse subjects as mountain photography (with special emphasis on cold weather camera operation and unique light and contrast problems); mountain meteorology, including familiarization with the special instrumentation and measurement techniques required by Mount Washington's notorious weather, as well as the reasons why the weather on the mountain is so severe; the glacial geology of the White Mountains (What happened on Mount Washington during periods of glaciation? How do we know? What glaciologically related activity continues today?); the natural history of Mount Washington, and the intricate web of life in the alpine zone; and life and work atop Mount Washington, considering what it takes to survive -- and enjoy! -- the world's worst weather. Some trips have been specially designed for teachers, encouraging them to bring weather and Mount Washington into their classrooms.

Logistical assistance is generously provided by Mount Washington State Park. Transportation arrangements are assisted by the cooperation of the Mount Washington Auto Road and Great Glen Trails. Some EduTrips may include excursions onto land managed by the U.S. Forest Service -- White Mountain National Forest.

EduTrips leave from the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road at 8:30 A.M. on the first day of the trip, spend the night at the Observatory on the summit, and then return to the valley on the following afternoon (weather permitting). The trip includes transportation to and from the summit via snow tractor, several classroom sessions and/or outdoor field trips, tours of the Observatory and the summit, all meals, overnight lodging at the Observatory, and a certificate of course participation. The EduTrip season extends into April, and will include weekend and mid-week trips.

Are you intrigued by the isolation, harshness, and savagery of Mount Washington in winter? Are you attracted by the possibility of glimpsing the mountain's winter splendor? If you are – and if you are fit and prepared – come join us on a Mount Washington Observatory EduTrip.

Costs & Policies

The Observatory's EduTrip program is open only to members of the Observatory. (Those individuals who are not yet members, but who are interested in participating in EduTrips, are welcome to become members, and to share in the benefits of Observatory membership. This can easily be done as part of the EduTrip registration process.) Cost for each EduTrip is $459 per person.

A deposit of $100 is required to secure a reservation. The deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE if a participant cancels less than 60 days before the trip and if the Observatory is then not able to fill the vacated space from a waiting list. The balance of payment for the trip must be received no later than one week before the trip.

Given the nature of mountain weather, trips may sometimes be canceled. If this occurs, payments will be refunded. An effort will be made to notify participants in advance by phone of cancellations, but since local weather is infinitely changeable we cannot guarantee advance notice; the decision to cancel the trip could be made at the last moment, or even during the course of the ascent. If a trip is canceled, it will be re-scheduled if possible.

Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. All physically fit adults are welcome, as are those fit individuals between 14 and 18 who are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. We will maintain a waiting list for trips that are full in the event of cancellations.

Important Reminders: The Mount Washington Auto Road is about eight miles long, and half of it is above timberline. Weather above timberline is often severe, and can turn DEADLY if you are unprepared, ill-equipped, or unable to hike to safety -- sometimes several miles in drifted snow, on glare ice, in sub-zero temperatures, hurricane force winds, and near zero visibility.

Trips will not be made far above timberline if the weather is judged to be extraordinarily severe, but even normal winter weather on Mount Washington can prove lethal to those who are unfit or poorly prepared.

Remember that weather can turn unusually bad after you have reached the summit, delaying the descent, so you should remain flexible with respect to your schedule for the day or two after your trip. (For example, in one recent EduTrip season, two trips had to stay one additional night on the summit, and one trip stayed an added two nights.)

Your $100 deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE if you cancel less than 60 days before the trip and if the Observatory is then not able to fill your vacated space from a waiting list. The deposit, and any other payment, will be refunded if the trip is canceled by the Observatory.

Circumstances require a 5 person minimum number of participants for an EduTrip to take place. If we do not reach that minimum by one week before the trip, we regret that the trip will be cancelled. We will contact those registered for any such trip at that time, and will offer the option of a full refund or re-scheduling to an available space in another trip. Thank you for your understanding.

While there have been few vehicular breakdowns over the years, you absolutely MUST be prepared for that possibility, and you must be ready, willing, and able to hike to safety in severe conditions.

You will be required to sign a release absolving the Observatory of responsibility should you contract an illness or suffer an injury, fatal or otherwise.

Your clothing and equipment will be checked before departure to assess whether you are adequately equipped. Those who are obviously inadequately prepared will not be allowed on the trip.

In addition to the educational component of the trip, a major goal is for everyone to have a pleasant time and a good experience; for this reason, and for safety's sake, alcohol must be prohibited.

An average mid-winter day on Mount Washington finds the summit in rime-ice producing fog, with visibility limited to 100 feet, a temperature of about 5 degrees Fahrenheit and a windspeed near 50 miles per hour. Gusts of 70 miles per hour or greater are likely. A typical "wind chill equivalent" would approach 25 degrees below zero. A recent winter saw the mercury drop to 45 degrees below zero, with winds at the time gusting near 90 miles per hour. Winds that winter gusted as high as 145 miles per hour. Bitter winter conditions can persist through the month of April.

EduTrips Information

Schedule of Trips
Equipment List
Lodging
Sign Up Today
Health History
Sample Release Form [PDF]
Where to Meet
Weather
Background Readings
Additional Information for Trip Registrants
Detailed Trip Description –
check back in early fall

IMPORTANT!

Please read the following very carefully:
Participants absolutely must be in excellent physical condition, have all necessary clothing and equipment including a sleeping bag (see equipment list) and be able to hike to safety in cold temperatures, high winds, poor visibility, and drifted snow or glare ice in the event of a vehicular breakdown. Trip participants HAVE had to walk to safety on some past trips, and in all likelihood WILL need to walk to safety on some future trips. The mountain's rugged weather, the elevation of the mountain, and the real remoteness from medical care, mandate - for the safety of themselves and for the safety of other trip members - that those who are in unsatisfactory physical condition or are inadequately equipped may not participate.

Comments from EduTrip Participants

"Surpassed my expectations, both experientially and instructionally"

"I feel privileged to have been on this EduTrip...the mountain is undescribable, the Obs staff superb!!"

"The experience was very positive -- the staff was most cordial and helpful."

"The staff was terrific. Not only were they helpful, they were just fun to spend the weekend with."

"A fascinating experience. I would commend it to anyone who loves these mountains or is curious about their surroundings."

"Coverage of topics excellent. Trip leaders infinitely flexible in covering whatever topics people wanted to delve into."

"This was a great experience and I would hope to be able to make another trip in the future."

"This was a wonderful experience. I am departing with my mind stimulated, my stomach full, my body rested and my spirit invigorated."

P. O. Box 2310, North Conway, NH 03860 • Tel: 603-356-2137 • Fax: 603-356-0307 • email