Issues → January/February 2009 → Features →
Overnight at Mt. Washington Observatory
(page 3 of 3)
Joe's pack weighs 24 pounds. He tells us that these 24 pounds will let him survive any conditions on Earth. On the side of the pack he carries a short-handled, steel-bladed shovel. It weighs next to nothing; hardware stores carry them for $10. We trek across the ridge until we come to hard pack. We dig what looks like a grave--just deep enough and long enough to hold one of us. If we're ever caught in a storm, if it's 20 below and blowing 80, this hole can provide just enough warmth away from the wind to give rescuers time to find us. We take turns crawling inside. When I slide under the lip of the cave, it's as claustrophobic as an MRI tube. "It's not the Ritz," Joe says, "but it'll keep you alive."
The night is clear, the stars startlingly so, but in the morning clouds sweep through and descend, and snow starts. Joe's happy; bad weather has joined his trip. We start walking down the Auto Road. Once I'm blown nearly off it. When I look up, the group seems to have walked through a hidden white door. I know I'm fine. I'm standing on the Auto Road; Joe is just ahead. But still...
In time, we hear the snow tractor rumbling toward us from the top, where it had gone earlier to take supplies. Nobody wants to get in.
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For another visit to Mount Washington, listen to Jud Hale's description in Jud's New England Journal.
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For more information on the observatory's 2009 EduTrips, go to: mountwashington.org
Daytrips to above treeline on Mt. Washington (4.5-mile mark on the Auto Road) are available via SnowCoach van: greatglentrails.com
Reader Comments
Comment from joann dudgeon on February 3, 2009
IT SOUNDES LIKE FUN FOR THE [FOOL] HARDY. I LIKE THE SNOW BUT NOT THE WIND SO I'LL JUST STAY HERE IN BEARABLE OHIO.
Comment from Yoma Hitchcock on February 3, 2009
I loved your story Mr Allen......I was up to Mt Washington this summer. I lived in Alaska for seven years....Your story brought me right up that mountain with you. What a experience and I can see you have to be physically fit to make a trip like that..
I think it is wonderful these fellows actually live up there and observe the weather. I even felt a chill!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Comment from Judith Davis on February 4, 2009
Although I was born in Maine but have lived in Fla. for over 40 yrs., it still brings back memories of the days long past of climbing up snow covered hills just to go sledding. And just how hard the wind can blow,(not like yours) of coarse but wow! It took my breath away just reading your story. Hey! Be Safe!!
Comment from Mel Allen on February 10, 2009
The great thing about this experience is so many people can do it. I know a lot of us can't climb to the top, in winter, or even summer; but to go on an edu trip, to hang out with the weather observers and see the most amazing night sky you will ever see, or the rime ice that clings to everything...well that is within the ability of so many of you.
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