The calendar says spring for sure (never mind what's going on outside your window today!). So why am I packing up layers of fleece, a down parka, mittens, long johns, ice axe and crampons and the like?

Because I'm headed for a place where winter and bad weather is a year-round occurence: The summit of Mount Washington!

The Mount Washington Observatory and summit sign.
Photo courtesy Mount Washington Observatory

Early tommorrow morning I've got to get me and my packload of gear up to Pinkham Notch, NH and the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road to meet my limo, er, snowcat, for what I expect will be a wild ride to the peak of the East.

What's all this about, you say?

Well, being a Mount Washington Observatory member, I signed on for one of their Winter EduTrips, a two day, one night excursion to the summit combined with an outdoor educational experience.

This particular trip will focus on avalanches and snow safety, good stuff to know if you're interested, as I am, in spending quality time in the mountains in winter, here in New England or elsewhere. The course will be led by instructors from the Eastern Mountain Sports climbing school, knowledgeable folks indeed.

A tour of the Observatory and the summit are included in the activities, so some hobnobbing with the scientists and researchers will be cool. And the plan for some hearty meals with the summit crew and other participants will be good fun, as will being tucked away in a warm bunk for the night, listening to the wind and weather howl outdoors.

All good. Can't wait.

Current conditions on top of Mount Washington: Wintery!

Oh yeah.

Mount Washington Observatory here I come, ready or not. Another one of those "once in a lifetime" opportunities that I just ain't letting go by. Life is short, sleep when you die.

You can count on a recap when I get back down. Gotta be stories coming out of this deal!

You been to the top of Mount Washington? By foot? By car? By snowcat??? Have you ever spent the night up there?

Winter sunset at the Mount Washington Observatory.
Photo courtesy Mount Washington Observatory

A bombardier, or snowcat, clears a path through deep snow on the Mt. Washington Auto Road.
Photo courtesy Mount Washington Observatory

Inga, one of the summit cats, coated in rime ice after a trip outside.
Photo courtesy Mount Washington Observatory