The scene was colorful and idle and quiet, in keeping with the lonely, beautiful valley. This handful of people who brave the winter on Mount Washington never know when they leave for their eight-day stints on the summit what treacherous conditions they'll encounter, nor do they know if drifted snow will require them to climb from their vehicle and hike up. Knowing the isolation and challenges of the mountain, snow-cat operator Chris Uggerholt of Intervale, N.H., delivers crews to the summit every eight days for the shift change.
Some days are real scary.
A trip up the mountain takes anywhere from one to five hours. But through all kinds of weather, the commitment to research and studies for universities, industries, and government drives the team. Although she admits living at the observatory is tough, when she first experienced the summit, she knew it was the place for her. She feels each member of the team has similar experiences. Part of it's the weather, part the people, and they are so great up here.