Mount Washington Edu-Trips: Another way to See the Top!

While I’m still thinking lofty thoughts, (well … thoughts that go as high as 6,280 feet, that is!) I want to mention EduTrips, the themed, overnight field trips at the Mount Washington Observatory.

You may have experienced the summit already, either by hiking, driving up the Auto Road, or riding up in the historic cog railroad. If so, you weren’t alone! Each summer Mount Washington is visited by a quarter-million people; in winter, only a few hundred make the difficult journey. Enduring sub-zero cold, hurricane force winds and whiteout conditions for the chance to experience remarkable vistas of snow-covered peaks, Mount Washington's winter secrets are known only to the most intrepid mountaineers.

Mount Washington Observatory EduTrips – of which I have now done two -- offer the exclusive opportunity to experience Mount Washington in winter without a technical mountaineering ascent. Travel to and from the summit is made possible by snow tractor transportation, and cozy overnight accommodations are provided at the summit weather station. The educational value of the visit is enhanced by expert instruction in a variety of subjects, ranging from mountain photography to meteorology, climate change to cooking. (Visit their schedule page for a complete listing of trip dates and descriptions). If you enjoy ‘extremes’, then this is the place for you!

Extremely severe weather: With temperatures sometimes approaching 50 degrees below zero, winds gusting over 100 miles per hour, dense fog, heavy icing, and air filled with blowing snow, it is as close to arctic conditions as you or I are likely to experience.
Extreme beauty: On those rare days when the fog lifts, the skies clear, and the entire White Mountain range is laid out before you, glistening white in its winter raiment. It is breathtaking, to say the least.
Extremely challenging conditions: To safely visit such a place in winter, you need to be in good physical condition, properly clothed and equipped, and aware of the vagaries of the often uncooperative weather. For an adventurous soul, what can compare with sampling such extreme conditions? On par with Everest and the Polar regions, Mount Washington is one of the most accessible extreme places on earth, and once conquered, will give you an extremely satisfying experience.

So here’s the scoop on Edu-Trips! EduTrips leave from the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road at 8:30 A.M. on the first day of the trip, you 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 area, meals and overnight lodging in the weather station with the observers, and a certificate of course participation. I have experienced both ‘White Mountain Ecology’ as well as ‘Winter Mountain Safety’ and I hope one day to have participated in them all!

As to WHO can go, all physically fit adults are welcome, as are fit individuals between the ages of 16 and 18 who are accompanied by a qualified adult. A minimum of six and maximum of nine participants are allowed on each trip. The cost is $459 for members and $499 for non-members. Keep in mind that this is MOUNT WASHINGTON, and that trips may be canceled due to extremely inclement weather. Safety is of the utmost importance. The Mount Washington Auto Road, used to access the summit, is about eight miles long, and approximately half of the road is above timberline. Weather here is often severe, and can turn deadly if you are unprepared, ill-equipped, or unable to hike to safety in the event of a vehicular breakdown (and while there have been few over the years, you absolutely MUST be prepared for that possibility). All participants must be ready, willing, and able to hike to safety (which is sometimes several miles away) in severe conditions. These conditions may include drifted snow, glare ice, sub-zero temperatures, hurricane force winds, and near zero visibility.

I can vouch for this firsthand, as a sudden blizzard blew in sooner than expected on our descent down the mountain after our Winter Mountain Safety course a few years ago. The white-out conditions and 90 mph winds caught us by surprise, and when the tractor got stuck sideways in 6 feet of snow, (which had not been there on the tractor’s ascent about 30 minutes before!) we had to walk a good way down before being rescued. My then-21 year old son Chris, who attended with me, thought it was one of the best parts of the trip, being the most outrageous possible ‘lab’ component of the topic “Winter Mountain Safety”. But the fact is, while it was momentarily exciting and had a happy ending due to the knowledge and expertise of the staff at the Observatory (and our own determination and survival instincts!!), it was a brutal lesson in how a deadly storm can come out of nowhere and catch you unaware. (By the way, when we reached the bottom, it was merely a calm and cloudy day. The mountain is as deceptive as it can be treacherous). Because we get lots of hikers at The Lodge, all of varying abilities and experience levels, this was the very reason I had chosen this Edu-Trip. I can now talk with experience and some authority to all my guests who are Mount Washington hiking ‘hopefuls’!
Here’s what you can expect in winter up there: 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 wind speed 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. It is not uncommon to experiences temperatures as low as 45 degrees below zero, with winds gusting over 100 miles per hour. Bitter winter conditions can set in as early as October, and persist through the end of April (our “experience” occurred on April 12th of that year, coincidentally the anniversary of the world record wind of 231 mph!).

Maybe you’re thinking that winter is a bit too rugged for you; in that case you may want to consider a Summer trip. Summit Adventures leave from the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road in other seasons as well, but are only day-length trips, no overnights. But try to experience Mount Washington for yourself any time of year; it is like no place on earth. Until then, support their scientific work, and consider sponsoring my hike this year up the mountain. Thanks!