Date: 2003-08-18
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Mt Washington
Miles today: 0.0

Today is the most spectacular one of all: we leave Lake of the Crowds Hut and ascend the famous Mt. Washington rockpile, and then the stunning and gorgeous (and steep) Mt. Madison. It's even somewhat clear today.At 6,288, Washington is the second highest peak on the AT; only Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains is taller. On a clear day, it's said one can see all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. But it's rarely clear up there.Mt. Washington is unique. It possesses the worst weather ever recorded on the planet. At one point, the wind was measured at 231 miles per hour (Hurricane force is 75 mph). Another time, 100 mph hour winds blew when the temp was 47 degrees below zero - imagine the heart-stopping windchill! It has snowed every month of the year on Mt. Washington, including August.It stands at a special spot, the confluence of several weather systems. Cold air from Canada, warm air from more southerly regions, moist Great Lakes systems and weather from the Atlantic all crash into each other here. The clash of the Titans, happening precisely over this bare naked peak. On its crown is a manned weather observatory. In summer, the temps rarely rise above the low 50s, and strong wind is the name of the game. It's often raining or sleeting in the summer. People die of hypothermia at all seasons of the year on this mountain, the deadliest in the east. Over 120 have died here, some just yards from the summit buildings.The summit climb took me about an hour. It's mostly stacked rock we are walking on. At times, I can hear rivers of water gurgling underneath the stone.It's not a hard climb at this point, just takes time. We reach the summit and I take a self-portrait at the sign. We scope out the webcam and stand, freezing, out on the observation platform until we reckon our picture has been taken. Then we rush in to see. I do this four times, but the third time, I was late for the cameras. I was all alone on the platform and the devil took hold of me - I dropped my Columbias and mooned the webcam. I swear I did. It was too cold to "hang out" long! It's probably for the best that one didn't "catch".Meanwhile, friends are e-mailing me from all over the country, telling me they see us. It is such an absolute blast.We've been informed by SOBOs that it is an AT tradition to moon the coal-burning cog railway. The railway was built in 1869, not long after the close of the Civil War. That's old.After Mt. Washington, we are going to try to hike to or beyond the spectacular Mt. Madison.If you would like some real eye candy, check out this web address for a panoramic view of Mt. Madison. Perhaps it will take your breath away, as it did mine. Here's the URL:http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/huts/huts-madison.shtmlThen click on the 'panoramic' button under one of the small pictures. It takes a little bit to load, but your patience will be rewarded with a stunning 360 degree view of Mount Madison, a spectacular alpine view. Can you say "Sound of Music?" When I saw this very panorama, my desire to hike the AT was sealed. You've been warned.I am going to send this entry now, because there is a PHONE in the observatory. Chief is eager to be walking. So, off we go for miles along the exposed ridge. It is alternately clear and clouded, 47 degrees and winds of about 20-25 mph. It is a rare "balmy" day on the Presidential Ridge.To be continued.