SEEK THE PEAK CELEBRATES HIKING IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS THIS WEEKEND
North Conway, NH, July 11, 2023 – Mount Washington is calling! Whether you hike on Saturday, July 15 or celebrate a previous summit, Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) invites all to enjoy the 23rd annual Seek the Peak event. There will be fun for families, food, music, vendors, a raffle with prizes, and more at the base of the Rockpile, Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, from 2:00-6:00 PM.
The celebration starts on Friday, July 14 with a kick-off party from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Tuckerman Brewing Company in Conway, NH. On Saturday, July 15 from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m., MWOBS will offer hiking support along with United States Forest Service Trail Stewards and Appalachian Mountain Club volunteers at the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trailhead and Tuckerman Ravine Trailhead (Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center). MWOBS will also offer FREE weather station tours for Seek the Peak participants on the summit of Mount Washington from 9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. Those taking part in the Hike and Make Friends program should plan to arrive at Pinkham Notch between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m.
“Seek the Peak means not just a hike on Mount Washington, but a time for the hiking community to connect and celebrate,” said Drew Bush, MWOBS Executive Director. “Our observation team faces many challenges living on the summit 365 days per year, and mountaintop weather stations are not inexpensive to maintain. Join us to support our work in weather and climate science, an effort that helps to keep the White Mountains hiking community safe with up-to-date forecasts daily.”
The Après Hike Party kicks-off at 2:00 p.m. at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center with Paul and Lisa McCoy of the International Mountain Climbing School (IMCS) presenting on “Winter Hiking Above Tree Line.” Fun for families then continues every hour until 6:00 p.m. Visitors can take part in product clinics and giveaways, learn about life on the summit and weather observation with MWOBS educators, and climb into the Observatory’s snow cat all while enjoying food, drink, and LIVE music and speakers.
Anchored by Eastern Mountain Sports and Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, the vendor fair will feature WMWV’s radio host Roy Prescott, the Backpacker Get Outside Tour, Minus33, Good to-Go, Redline Guiding, Guineafowl Adventure Company, Appalachian Mountain Club, Gorham Bike & Ski, plus outdoor recreation nonprofits that steward natural resources in the White Mountains.
Seek the Peak is an inclusive peer-to-peer fundraising event that welcomes participants of all ability levels to sign up as individuals or teams. It’s not too late to fundraise to support MWOBS! Participating hikers can choose to hike any trail, anywhere, at any time while rallying support from family, friends, and colleagues. Those who hike are rewarded for their fundraising with locally designed T-shirts, Cotopaxi backpacks, prizes, tickets to the raffle, and entry to the Après Hike Party with a food truck voucher.
The Après Hike Party is open to the public. Tickets will cost $10 at the door.
“Seek the Peak fuels a significant portion of the Observatory’s annual budget,” said Charlie Buterbaugh, MWOBS Director of External Affairs. “The Après Hike Party will celebrate the hiking community and show appreciation for all who support our work in mountain meteorology, weather, climate, and education.”
Seek the Peak is made possible by Presenting Sponsors Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center and Eastern Mountain Sports, with additional valued support from Backpacker Magazine’s Get Outside Tour, Mount Washington Radio Group (93.5 WMWV, Magic 104.5, and Easy 95.3), Consolidated Communications (Fidium Fiber Internet), Martini Northern, Mt. Washington Auto Road, Appalachian Mountain Club, White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire State Parks, Mount Washington Cog Railway, White Mountain Oil and Propane, and Tuckerman Brewing Company.
