Mount Washington Observatory Summit Volunteer 1/19-25/12/11

Once again I have the privilege of being a volunteer for the Mount Washington Observatory. I've actually lost track of how many times I've been up to do this now, but I wouldn't say I was a veteran, more of an intermediate. I've been paired with another volunteer again and for the next 7 days we'll cook and clean here at the Obs for the crew and some occasional guests. Our trip here was delayed by a day. A normal shift change day is Wednesday for the crew and volunteers, but this Tuesday night a cold front moved in and brought with it plummeting temperatures, low visibility and steady winds above the century mark which made a snow tractor ride to the summit impossible. The peak wind gust was 129mph Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, but Thursday morning broke bright and clear, and although still pretty cold, nothing like the wind-chills which forced last weeks crew to stay an extra day on the summit.

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Our Destination

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Home for the Next Seven Days

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View West to Franconia Ridge

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Southwest to Mount Carrigain, The Osceolas and the Hancocks

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Looking Down the Long Arm of the Southern Presidentials

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Toasty

KDT

Have fun helping out up there this week! Look forward to some more pics.

Have a great week and keep the photos coming.

Enjoy, I really love that first picture.:)

Thanks guys, here's a few more:

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Sun Disappears Behind the Clouds

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Clouds Move Over the Northern Presidentials

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Clouds Swallow the Southern Presidentials

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My Partner Made Curry Chicken w/Peppers, Onions and Mushrooms for Supper Tomorrow I'll Cook

KDT

I like the last photo!

We spent most of the day inside as conditions outside were mostly blowing snow and fog. I had a good talk with Guy from State Park, then with Mike. Somehow Chris made it up with Dan in the Bombardier so they could change shifts despite 60mph winds and poor visibility.

Around 4pm there was some occasional clearing, so Paul my partner ventured back outside to watch the sun sink below the clouds in the west. This afternoon was pretty high up in the category of beautiful nature scenes I have witnessed. We stood surrounded in orange glowing fog as 65mph winds whipped snow across the summit. Paul went back in after a little while, but I managed to stay out for 45 minutes trying to shoot pictures as the wind buffeted me around. Wind chills were in the -40 range.

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State Park Has a Quick Conference Before Heading Down

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Boott Spur

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Undercast Sunset From Goofer Point 1

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Undercast Sunset From Goofer Point 2

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Stage Office

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Summit Shot

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Clearing Ice From the Instruments in 70mph Winds

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I Cooked Brown Sugar Bourbon Steak Tips for Supper Tonight

KDT

It looks like a beautiful winter wonderland up there! And I bet that Sam Adams paired well with the steak tips. :)

The Steak tips look REALLY Good!!

Great pics so far Kevin. Hope your having a awesome time. Your tips look delicious.