Week 4: Post-trip report

After changing weather in NH over the previous few weeks, the weather on the rockpile didn’t disappoint.  While the valley was warming up into the 40’s, the summit held chilly in the 20’s with 60mph winds and a few faster gusts.  I was hoping to brag to my students back in Swampscott on Massachusetts’s North Shore about making it into the century club, but they were still impressed with the conditions. 

The goal of my trip up for MWO’s Arctic Wednesdays program was to create a buzz in my school for the new Weather & Climate class that we will be offering next year.  One of my classes had a quick video conference with weather observer  to test our connection a couple of days before the trip.  Here they were able to get a glimpse of what the summit crew does and were fortunate to meet Marty as he made a brief appearance on camera.

Our ride up the mountain provided us with a few opportunities to stop and get out of the snow cat to help my fellow teacher on the trip, Dr. Rob Pinnsonneault, collect snow pack data at various elevations along the road. 

Once on the summit, we connected with my students (and those of another teacher who snuck into my room for the connection.)  They asked some great questions and got a good feeling for what the life of a mountain-top weather observer is.  Sharon Schilling, MWO President, and I then took the opportunity to bundle up in gear worthy of an Everest expedition to head out onto the summit and were treated to some amazing views as the clouds and freezing fog were moving out. 

All I can say is that the experience was more than I could ever have asked for.  It was great to meet the summit crews and learn about life and work on the summit.  Many thanks to the Mount Washington Observatory for offering area teachers opportunities like these to increase our skill sets and for inspiring our students to want to learn about weather and climate.

-Brian Casey, Swampscott High School, Swampscott, MA

 Figure 1 The first stop for snow pack data at 1 mile (~2000').  Dr Pinsonneault teaches us how to assist.

 Figure 2: Stopping for some more snow pack data.  Not much snow to measure...

Figure 3: Back into the clouds at Cow pasture with rime ice forming.

Figure 4 Connecting with my students back in MA.

Figure 5 The observatory tower with a clear (but windy) summit and an undercast to the North and West.

 Figure 6 Shadows began to lengthen and let us know it was our time to head back down from the summit.

Figure 7 View from the snow cat on our way back down the auto road.