We provide water samples regularly throughout the year to the Department of Environmental Services. The sewage treatment plant, in a separate building at the summit, needs monitoring and attention throughout the day. Levels of both are monitored and the storage tanks are pumped and filled and tracked not daily, but regularly, depending on usage. Heating fuel (kerosene) is pumped from outdoor storage tanks to the heated buildings. The water supply at the summit is provided through a well and we pump the water into large interior storage tanks throughout the winter months. But even in those times and overnight while asleep, we are always on standby and may be awakened at any hour by outage or other alarms, phone calls, or need to be responsive to weather related priorities. In the evenings, we might have some time to wind down and relax. While there is very rarely a “typical” day, here are some of the things we do each day:ĭays usually start with morning rounds: taking power meter and Sewage Treatment Plant readings, recording fuel and water storage levels, checking on the unoccupied buildings, communication antennas and dishes, and the outside grounds, clearing vents of any ice or rime that built up over night and we begin recording notes in daily work logs.Īfternoons can be a time of working on various carpentry, plumbing, shoveling, or additional projects if other needs don’t arise. This storm in particular delayed shift change for another 3 days. We turned around shortly after this photo because visibility was too poor to continue safely and shift change waited for another day. One of the days where we teamed up with the Mount Washington Observatory to make a summit attempt together. This Winter, some of us, myself included, had stretches of unplanned additional 3-4 days before being able to come down. So, we are always prepared to spend extra days up here and it happens with some regularity. Typically working 2 people at a time, the Park Staff spend our entire work week at the summit in Winter, although weather can interrupt travel schedules. It can nearly reach the roof at times during the winter months The snow drift at Yankee Building hitting the second floor. Our tenants within the Mount Washington Observatory staff are well known to the general public as year round occupiers of the State Park facilities at the summit, but their staff is primarily focused on observing, recording, and reporting the weather and maintaining those instruments also in the same environmental challenges.īehind the scenes, the Mount Washington State Park staff is hard at work making sure the systems are running smoothly, while also accomplishing off season improvements, repairs, and getting ready for the upcoming Summer season. Working outdoors in winter at Mount Washington is often But, for those of us that work year-round at this Park, it is a special time. The demands, challenges, schedules, and conditions of working at the summit of Mount Washington in Winter isn’t for everyone. Park Staff must take great care and precautions, planning accordingly daily to make sure we are safe while carrying out these duties. All of this is accomplished while still being prone to the extreme and dangerous weather, wind, and temperatures. To do this requires our staff to be present up here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. After clearing snow from an October storm, it was time to chain up the park truck tires and get it down before it was stuck at the summit for the winter!Īs the summit of Mount Washington is a State Park, it is our responsibility to our tenants and leasees, as well as the general public, that the grounds are maintained, the buildings are monitored, systems are operating, and repairs and improvements are occurring. The simple version is that the Mount Washington State Park Staff keep this place running. But, before it draws to an inevitable close, I thought it would be a good time to address a common query I have heard for months “ So, what do you do up there in the Winter?“. While many in New England are enjoying the start of Spring, Winter’s grip in the high peaks of the White Mountains remains firm. Mount Washington State Park in mid winter form.
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