Mount Washington Observatory | World Record Wind | Mount Washington Observatory World Record Wind For nearly sixty-two years, Mount Washington, New Hampshire held the world record for the fastest wind gust ever recorded on the surface of the Earth: 231 miles per hour, recorded April 12, 1934 by Mount Washington Observatory staff. The Mt. Washington Auto Road Stage Office, where the Observatory was first established, with an anemometer mounted on the roof and thermometer housing mounted on the northern exterior wall. The Mount Washington record was toppled in 1996 when an unmanned instrument station in Barrow Island, Australia recorded a new record of 253 miles per hour during Typhoon Olivia. Though the Observatory record fell, it’s a very human story, and it still stands as the highest surface wind speed ever observed by man. The following are excerpts from then-observer Alex McKenzie's book, The Way It Was, which accounts the experience of documenting and living through a 231 mph wind. Tuesday, April 10, 1934 The sun rose on April 10, 1934, ushering in a typical April day atop Mount Washington.

Normally, the rest of New England welcomes the warmth of spring during a typical April, but winter keeps hold on the high peaks of New Hampshire's Presidential Range well into May in most years. The staff at the fledgling Mount Washington Observatory, including Salvatore Pagliuca, Alex McKenzie and Wendell Stephenson managed to make it through their second full winter on the mountain. However, they were anxiously awaiting the coming of spring, with its more moderate temperatures and wind. Before the week was out, those men would not only get another severe taste of winter, they would be a part of one of the most intense storms in recorded history. April 10 was the tight-knit summit crew's first day without Robert Stone, one of their coworkers who was injured in a skiing accident. He was taken down the mountain on a toboggan on April 9 to seek further medical attention on his severely bruised hip. Down a man, they would have to get by on their own for a while, with some help from their guests, Arthur Griffin and George Leslie. On this April Tuesday, a weak storm system located over the western Great Lakes was slowly approaching New England. In addition, another batch of energy was located off the coast of North Carolina.

Even more importantly, a huge ridge of high pressure was in place over eastern Canada and the northern Atlantic. On the summit of Mount Washington, April 10 was uneventful. Observer Aubrey Hustead holding the #2 heated anemometer that recorded the 231 mph world record wind. "April 10. A perfect day. Cloudless and calm. Hazy. Sun dogs at 5:30 p - a refraction phenomenon of no special importance." –Log Book entry, Sal Pagliuca Wednesday, April 11, 1934 The large ridge of high pressure continued to build on April 11, causing a major blocking pattern over the ocean. As a result, the energy east of the Carolinas was forced to retrograde to the northwest, combining with the developing system over the Great Lakes. Pagliuca, Stephenson and McKenzie, along with their guests, awoke to a brilliant sunrise early on April 11. The coal stove in the Auto Road's Stage Office (the Observatory's early home) took the chill off the room.

"Hardly did we realize as we were enjoying a fine view of the Atlantic Ocean that we were to experience during the next 48 hours one of the worst storms ever recorded in the history of any observatory." –Log Book entry, Sal Pagliuca The relatively clear skies gave way to clouds, increasing rapidly by afternoon. Fog obscured the summit by evening and rime ice formed up to one foot thick. The Observatory felines all huddled near the coal stove in the late afternoon, the warmest spot in the tiny building. Cats were at home around the Observatory in 1934, as they are today. Oompha and her five kittens; along with Ammonuisance, visiting from the AMC's Lakes of the Clouds hut; Elmer, the timid one; and Manx, a tailless cat like Tikky from the first winter atop Mount Washington, all kept the summit crew company. With high pressure building more and more to the north and east, and the low pressure becoming stronger to the west, an abnormally tight pressure gradient was forming to the north and east of the storm system. Pressure gradient is the change in pressure over some distance (either horizontally or vertically) with respect to a point in space.

A tight pressure gradient results in air rushing quickly from high to low pressure. "The meteorological notes for today do not say much. They only show a falling pressure, normal temperature, generally in 'rough frost forming' clouds, and rapidly increasing wind. Yes, rapidly increasing to values never dreamed before." –Log Book entry, Sal Pagliuca At this point, winds on the summit were building stronger, reaching a max of 136 mph. Although well above hurricane-strength, there was no need to have the staff maintain a wide-awake, round-the-clock watch. Stephenson volunteered to take the overnight shift, since Pagliuca enjoyed taking the morning measurements and McKenzie was responsible for hours of radio tests throughout the day. Thursday, April 12, 1934 "There was no doubt this morning that a super-hurricane, Mt. Washington style, was in full development." –Log Book entry, Sal Pagliuca After taking a short nap, Stephenson awoke to find that it was 4:00 am. Although groggy, he knew that the wind sounded louder and stronger, so he checked the recorder.

He needed to convert the recorded reading to the true value according to the instrument's correction curve, and some quick math pointed to an average windspeed of only 105 mph. It was clearly less than he expected. This meant one thing—the instrument was hampered by ice buildup. Stephenson suited up, grabbed a wooden club and headed for the door. The intense wind created so much pressure that he was knocked to the floor as he opened the door. He struggled as he made his way to the ladder. The wind was at his back, and actually helped him maintain solid footing on the ladder. With dozens of blows, he cleared the accumulated ice from the anemometer. He dropped the club by accident, and it sailed off into the fog towards the Tip Top House. Back inside, he flipped on the recorder and began timing the clicks from the telegraph sounder. After three tries, he verified that the wind now topped 150 mph. The pieces were coming together for a major weather event. On this day, the ridge over the Atlantic and the storm over the eastern Great Lakes had become even stronger. More importantly, the pressure gradient between these two systems was extremely tight on the northeast portion of the low.

This was causing very strong and extremely rare southeast winds. Alex McKenzie (left) and Sal Pagliuca tightening the guy wires holding the anemometer to the roof. "I dropped all other activities and concentrated on observations. Everyone in the house was ‘mobilized’ as during a war attack and assigned a job. The instruments were watched continuously so that they may give a continuous and accurate record of the various meteorological elements at work. The anemometer was particularly watched. A full tank of gasoline made us feel good." –Log Book entry, Sal Pagliuca As the day wore on, winds grew stronger and stronger. Frequent values of 220 mph were recorded between 12:00 and 1:00 pm, with occasional gusts of 229 mph. Then, at 1:21 pm on April 12, 1934, the extreme value of 231 mph out of the southeast was recorded. This would prove to be the highest natural surface wind velocity ever officially recorded by means of an anemometer, anywhere in the world. "'Will they believe it?' was our first thought. I felt then the full responsibility of that startling measurement.

Was my timing correct? Was the method OK? Was the calibration curve right? Was the stopwatch accurate?" –Log Book entry, Sal Pagliuca Extremely strong winds were recorded later in the afternoon and evening of the 12th and then the storm slowly moved north and entered a weakening phase. The storm lasted only one day. Some snow was recorded along with severe icing. The anemometer used to record the record wind was a heated anemometer designed special for Mount Washington. It was constructed in Cambridge MA, and tested in the wind tunnel at the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. After the wind measurement, the anemometer was run through a number of tests by the National Weather Bureau and the historic measurement of 231 mph was confirmed to be a valid reading. What the World Record Means Mount Washington’s "World Record Wind" is legendary, but what is the meaning of that decades-old record today? First and foremost, the record is a testament to the real extremes that can rule on Mount Washington. Significant cold, abundant snowfall, dense fog, heavy icing, and exceptional winds are a prominent feature of Mount Washington's environment.

Yes, there are colder places and snowier places, but, Mount Washington, a small peak by global standards, has weather to rival some of the most rugged places on Earth. There are days each winter when the combination of life-threatening conditions rival those of extremes recorded in the polar regions and on peaks three or four times Mount Washington's height. The former world record wind is one benchmark testifying to the mountain's severe weather. The record is also a testament to the dedication and diligence of the Observatory staff. A part of the challenge of science is to observe and reliably record that which we study. For the Observatory, that means monitoring and accurately measuring the weather. Some measurements are relatively easy to obtain, such as using a standard thermometer to record temperature. Other parameters are more challenging. To accurately record the winds of Mount Washington, which are typically high and gusty, and to do so during a severe icing event, is no simple matter. It is incredibly difficult and dangerous to climb atop a building in winds greater than 180 miles per hour to free an anemometer of ice.

The fact that the 1934 Observatory crew could accurately measure a wind of this magnitude, during a period of very heavy glaze icing, is a tribute to their planning and engineering acumen, as well as their commitment to establishing and maintaining this remote scientific outpost. The record is also an inspiration to Observatory staff today. In 1934, not even two years after the Observatory was established, the Observatory staff was given a remarkable test and passed with flying colors. They anticipated a great challenge and rose to the occasion. Their good work serves as an example to be followed today. As proud as we are of the achievements of the Observatory staff of the 1930's, we cannot rest on their laurels; we must earn our own. MEET OUR PARTNERS: N.H. loses strongest wind gust record - Weather | NBC News - CONCORD, N.H. — First the Old Man, now the Big Wind. New Hampshire's Mount Washington has lost its distinction as the site of the fastest wind gust ever recorded on Earth, officials at the Mount Washington Observatory conceded on Tuesday.

The concession came three days after the World Meteorological Organization posted a snippet on its Web site saying a panel of experts reviewing extreme weather and climate data turned up a 253 mph gust on Australia's Barrow Island during Cyclone Olivia in 1996. That tops the 231 mph record set atop Mount Washington on April 12, 1934. "It's obviously a big disappointment. Having the world record for over six decades was such a part of the soul of this organization and for fans of Mount Washington around the country," said Scot Henley, the observatory's executive director. The official title at issue is "highest wind gust ever recorded on the surface of the Earth by means of an anemometer." But to most people in New Hampshire, it was simply "the Big Wind," a source of pride in a state that also revered its Old Man of the Mountain, a rock outcropping that appeared to be a man's profile and was featured on the state's quarter. The Old Man crumbled to bits in 2003, seven years after the wind record apparently toppled.

World's worst weather still claimed Henley stressed that Mount Washington still holds the record for the Northern and Western hemispheres, and said it still can claim to be home to some of the world's worst weather given the combination of bitter cold, snow, wind and freezing fog it frequently experiences. "So the work continues up there, and we'll be ready for the next one," he said. No one noticed the new record gust at the time, Henley said. Advertise "Somehow it fell through the cracks and the Australians didn't think it was a big deal," he said. "We hear that, and it kinds of blows our minds, but of course, we're weather fans and we're tuned into that sort of thing." Henley first heard about the meteorological organization's conclusion Monday, when someone posted a link to the item on the observatory's forum. He contacted the organization and learned that the information was part of a report being presented at an international conference in Turkey next month. The panel of experts has shared its research with observatory officials, who plan to review it in the coming weeks.

"There's no reason to believe it's not accurate, but we owe it to this institution and to our state and really to weather fans all over the world to make sure it is indeed accurate," he said. The Mount Washington Observatory is a private, non-profit organization that maintains a weather station at the summit. Mary Stampone, assistant professor of geography at the University of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire State Climatologist, said she had long expected the record to fall. "As we improve our technology in terms of instrumentation, and we're observing in more locations, we were bound to pick up on something," she said. 1934 'war attack' in words At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington is only one-third the size of Mount McKinley, North America’s highest peak. But Mount Washington sticks up like a big toe at a point where storms from the north, south and west collide. As a result, it can see snow and ice even in the summer. Slideshow: Extreme science On April 12, 1934, there were three crew members, two guests, three cats and five kittens at the observatory, according to observer Alex McKenzie, who later wrote a book about the Big Wind.

According to his account, April 12 started with a brilliant sunrise, but the weather soon turned cloudy. By evening, fog obscured the summit and rime ice formed up to a foot thick. Early the next morning, when observer Wendell Stephenson headed outside to clear ice from the anemometer, the wind knocked him flat on his back as he opened the door. When he accidentally dropped the club he was using to break up the ice, it went flying off into the fog. Gusts were at 150 mph. "I dropped all other activities and concentrated on observations. Everyone in the house was 'mobilized' as during a war attack and assigned a job," observer Sal Pagliuca wrote in a log book. Climbing Facts About Mount Washington -- Highest in New Hampshire Elevation: 6,288 feet (1,917 meters) Prominence: 6,138 feet (1,871 meters) Location: Northern New Hampshire. Presidential Range, Coos County.

Coordinates: 44.27060° N 71.3047° W Map: USGS 7.5 minute topographic map Mount Washington First Ascent: First recorded ascent by Darby Field and two unknown Abenaki Indians in June, 1632. Highest Mountain in New England Mount Washington is the most prominent mountain east of the Mississippi River; the highest mountain in the 30-mile-long Presidential Range , the White Mountains , and New England; and the 18th highest US state high point . Home of World's Worst Weather Mount Washington, dubbed "Home of the World's Worst Weather," was the long-time holder of the highest wind speed ever recorded on the earth's surface. On April 12, 1934, a gust of 231 miles per hour (372 kilometers) was recorded atop the peak. This proud record stood until 2010 when an analysis of weather records by the World Meteorological Organization (WHO) revealed a gust of 253 mph when Typhoon Olivia swept across Barrow Island in Western Australia in 1996. continue reading below our video LeBron vs. Michael: Who's Better?

Weather Averages The average annual temperature on Mount Washington's summit is 26.5°F. Temperature range is -47°F to 72°F. Average annual wind speed is 35.3 miles per hour. Hurricane-force winds over 75 mph occur 110 days each year. Snowfall, which can occur every month of the year, averages 21.2 feet (645 centimeters) a year. Colder than Mount Rainier Mount Washington has colder temperatures, higher winds, and lower wind chill values than the summit of Mount Rainier , which is 8,000 feet higher. Oldest Maintained Trail in United States The 8.2-mile-long Crawford Path, running the length of the Presidential Range from Crawford Notch to Mount Washington's summit, is the oldest maintained foot trail in the United States. The trail was built in 1819 by Abel Crawford and his son Ethan Allen Crawford to the top of Mount Clinton. They improved the trail as a bridle path in 1840 and Abel, then 75 years old, made the first horseback ascent of Mount Washington .

In 1870 the trail reverted back to foot traffic and since has been one of the most popular trails in the White Mountains. 1524: First European Sighting The first European sighting of Mount Washington was by Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano (1485-1528), who first noted "high interior mountains" from the coast in 1524 as he sailed north. That voyage he also discovered the Hudson River, Long Island, Cape Fear, and Nova Scotia . On his third voyage of exploration in 1528, he was killed and eaten by Caribs after rowing ashore, possibly on the island of Guadeloupe.

1628: Colonist's Description of Peak Early colonist Christopher Levett wrote in his marvelous book A Voyage Into New England published in 1628: "This River (sawco), as I am told by the Savages, cometh from a great mountain called the Cristall hill, being as they say 100 miles in the Country, yet it is to be seene at the sea side, and there is no ship ariuse in NEW ENGLAND, either to the West so farre as Cape Cod, or to the East so farre as Monhiggen, but they see this Mountaine the first land, if the weather be cleere." 1632: First Recorded Ascent Mount Washington's first recorded ascent was by Darby Field and two Abenaki Indian guides, who may not have gone to the summit, in June, 1632. He took 18 days to climb the peak from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Field reported lots of "shining stones" on the mountain, which prospectors assumed were diamonds until they proved to be just crystals.

Native American Name The Native American name for the mountain is Agiocochook, roughly translated as "Home of the Great Spirit" or "Mother Goddess of the Storm. Another Native name for the White Mountains is Waumbekketmethna, which literally means "White Mountains." The mountain was named for General George Washington before he became President. Climbing Mount Washington Mount Washington is the most climbed high peak in New England, with people ascending a road, cog railroad, and various trails to the summit. The most popular trails are 4.2-mile Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Lion Head Trail, Boott Spur Trail, and Huntington Ravine Trail, which also accesses the classic Northeast Ridge of Pinnacle Buttress (5.7) and many winter ice climbing routes. Deaths on Mount Washington Since 1849 when Englishman Frederick Strickland succumbed to hypothermia after falling in a stream and getting lost on his snowy October descent, Mount Washington, as of 2010, has claimed 137 lives. Not surprising given the mountain's severe and unpredictable weather, most of the deaths occurred from hypothermia , the chilling of the body's core temperature from cold, wet, and windy conditions.

Other fatalities occur from avalanches , particularly at the popular ice climbing areas at Huntington and Tuckerman Ravines; falls while climbing and glissading ; drowning in rain-swollen creeks; hit by falling chunks of ice; and heart attacks and other health issues. No one has been killed by lightning on Mount Washington. Buildings Atop Mount Washington The summit of Mount Washington has several buildings. Two hotels were built atop Mount Washington in the mid-nineteenth century. In 1852 the Summit House was built. It was anchored to the top by four thick chains slung over its roof. In 1853 the Tip-Top House was built. In 1872 it was rebuilt with 91 rooms. The Summit House burned in 1908 but was rebuilt with granite. Today the 60-acre Mount Washington State Park covers the summit. A modern summit building houses a visitor center, cafeteria, museum, and the Mount Washington Observatory for weather observations. Auto Road and Cog Railway The Mount Washington Auto Road , originally built in 1861, travels 7.6 miles from Pinkham Notch to the summit.

The three-mile-long Mount Washington Cog Railway , built in 1869 as the world's first mountain cog railroad, has an average grade of 25%. Race to the Summit Mount Washington hosts numerous races. In June, runners dash for the summit in the Mount Washington Road Race . Bicycle races occur in July and August. One of the most unusual was a race for one-legged people. Raymond E. Welch Sr. won the race on August 7, 1932, becoming the first one-legged person to ascend the peak. It's unknown whether he hopped or crutched his way to the top. Colorado Springs and Mount Washington A street in Colorado Springs, Colorado is named Mount Washington because it is the same elevation as its New Hampshire counterpart. U.S. State Highpoints : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost Mt. Elbert Despite being the 2nd highest peak in the lower 48 states, Mt. Elbert isn't the discussion piece that it could be given its great beauty, easy access, and importance to Highpointers and Colorado 14ers.

The peak does see a good amount of ascents, and its 9.2-plus mile roundtrip hike to the summit is an attainable goal for most. Winter ascents are possible, which offer another dimension to the possibilities. The views from the summit are intense with the Sawatch, Elk, Sangre de Cristo, and Mosquito Ranges all encompassing. The nearby town of Leadville has a rich mining history and has hosted such western legends as Doc Holliday, Kit Carson, and Buffalo Bill Cody. Mt. Rainier The sparks from crampons on the exposed Disappointment Clever rocks in apre-dawn start, the audible groans and startling cracks from the active glaciers, the continuous barrage of brilliant green meteors entering the atmosphere in the dark night, and the sudden emergence of 25 guided climbers from an underground bunker at 10,000 feet. These are a few of the unique sensory experiences that are common on Mt. Rainier. With collapsing snow bridges, avalanches, route finding problem, and sudden severe weather during peak-climbing season, Rainier is a serious mountain that has deaths, injuries, and rescues each year.

With its close proximity to Seattle, and the fact that Rainier is a huge mountain with 20 plus routes, this high point sees a large number of climbers each year. It is considered by many to be the best training ground in the lower 48 for Denali and other larger mountains with glacier travel and steep snow. The Disappointment Clever Route is one of the most common routes, yet each year the various routes slightly change due to the active glaciers. Serious climbers seeking a great challenge should consider the Liberty Ridge Route, perhaps the best snow/ice test piece in the lower 48. Liberty Ridge involves steep, direct climbing, no margin of error, and a level of commitment where you're forced to continue up and over a daunting dilemma during inclement weather. Expect winter time conditions year round, with sudden, wet and snowy storms common in July and August, followed by clear and sub-freezing weather. Often, Rainier will sit above the clouds and you'll travel from rainy conditions in Seattle to rainy or snowy conditions at Paradise, and emerge above the weather.

Katadhin From the Appalachians to the Adirondacks and the Allegheny Plateau, a tour of the 12 Northeast highpoints offers the traveler a glimpse into this geologically complex region of the country. Without question, the Northeast quadrant is dominated by the mountains of the northern Appalachians. The famed Appalachian Trail (A.T.) passes over or comes within two miles of five of these highpoints, including the northern terminus of the A.T. and the gem of the Northeast - Katahdin , Maine. At 5,267 feet, Katahdin sharply rises some 4,000 feet above the surrounding landscape and its impressive profile have led some to call it the only western peak east of the Mississippi. Though it is a state highpoint, Katahdin is probably best known as the finish line to the A.T. for approximately 300 folks who annually complete the nearly 2,200 mile trek from Springer Mountain, Georgia. Mount Washington This, of course, is not meant to diminish the importance of the equally renowned Mount Washington , New Hampshire ... often described as the world's most dangerous small mountain.

At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington's brutal weather (highest surface wind speed ever recorded) and relatively easy accessability (2-3 hours from downtown Boston) have proved a lethal combination far too often. Yet for those fortunate enough to visit her summit in clear skies, views not only encompass the surrounding White Mountains but extend westward across Vermont's Green Mountains to the Adirondacks of New York. Other Appalachian Trail highpoints include Mount Greylock , Massachusetts and High Point , New Jersey. The A.T. also passes less than two miles east of Mount Frissell , Connecticut. All of these mountains offer many hiking options while Katahdin and Washington offer mountaineering routes as well. Mount Marcy Stepping off the Appalachian Trail, Mount Marcy , New York and Mount Mansfield , Vermont not only provide interesting wilderness hiking choices, but also give the traveler a feel for the far northern climes of the continental United States. The arctic alpine tundra zones found atop these peaks are more typical of conditions found hundreds of miles into Canada than what one might expect to find in the congested Northeast.

Geologically speaking, while the 4,393-foot Mount Mansfield is considered part of the Green Mountain portion of the Appalachians, Mount Marcy's Adirondack mountains have been shaped by entirely different geologic forces. The exposed metamorphosed sedimentary rock of the Adirondacks has been dated to be more than one billion years old, yet it has only been uplifted into mountainous form over the last two million years. While the Appalachians are a deeply eroded range, the Adirondacks are still growing. Spruce Knob Keeping with the geology theme, it should be said that the three state highpoints in the Allegheny Plateau region are more closely related to the southern Appalachians than to the mountains of the Northeast. But the relative geographic smallness of the Northeast has led to the inclusion of Mount Davis , Pennsylvania, Backbone Mountain , Maryland and Spruce Knob , West Virginia in this region. These three highpoints are all located within about 120 miles of each other and many complete this trifecta on the same trip.

While the 3,000-foot plus elevations of Backbone Mountain and Mount Davis are impressive enough for the Northeast, one must keep in mind that much of this "unglaciated" part of the plateau sits above 2,000 feet. In terms of prominence, the lower Pocono Mountains of eastern Pennsylvania offer more net gain than does the highpoint of the Keystone State. Spruce Knob, however, is quite a treat. Rising some 3,000 feet from its base, this 4,861-foot mountain is the very definition of the backwoods of West Virginia. For those looking to hike this mountain, the most common approach is a long one. The Horton-Seneca Creek-Huckleberry Trail route is a 19-mile round trip so many choose to utilize the dirt summit road in at least some form. If you enjoy mountain biking, this is a great way to go. And for those with a taste for rock climbing, nearby Seneca Rocks offers many great choices. The remaining two highpoints in the region - Jerimoth Hill , Rhode Island, and Ebright Azimuth , Delaware - aren't exactly lofty goals but Summit Post maintains pages with quality information nonetheless.

South Region Mount Magazine (Arkansas) from its base Southern States: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia The Southern Appalachians Eagle Mountain GREAT LAKES - Moving eastward, the northern Great Lakes region that contains the highpoints of Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin is a land of austere and breathtaking natural beauty. It almost goes without saying that the highpointer will leave the region with vivid memories of long meandering drives along the flanks of Lake Superior and the northern shore of Lake Michigan.Of the three Great Lakes highpoints, Minnesota's Eagle Mountain is the greatest treat. Located miles from nowhere, the summit of Eagle Mountain is typically attained after a 3.5 mile one-way hike through a mature hardwood forest dominated by towering pine trees. This gentle hike wraps around the quaint Whale Lake and saves much of the net elevation gain of about 600 feet for the final mile. While Eagle Mountain offers the best hiking, Michigan's quiet and wooded Mount Arvon will certainly challenge your route-finding abilities.

The zenith of Michigan is reached at the end of a maze of dirt and logging roads that begins about 16 miles northeast of L'Anse and ends at a well-marked clearing 11 confusing miles later. This leaves the Wisconsin state highpoint - Timms Hill - which is interestingly located in a county park. While there is nothing particularly mountainous about Timms Hill, this very pleasant area of small lakes, rolling hills and forest can be appreciated atop the summit firetower, which is just a short uphill walk from the main parking lot. Unlike the other Great Lakes highpoints, Timms Hill is straight-forward and easily accessible. View near Taum Sauk FARM BELT - Four of the five states in the Farm Belt are in flat farm country. Indiana’s Hoosier Hill sits right next to a cornfield. Iowa’s Hawkeye Point rests right next to a silo. Campbell Hill , Ohio sits just next to a parking lot at a beauty school. While it isn’t too exciting, the lawn (which rises no more than 15 feet up) is quite beautifully manicured (Is there a coincidence here?).

Charles Mound , Illinois sits above a small farm, and unlike Indiana and Iowa, it is actually a large hill, rather than a highest point barely identifiable from flat surroundings. Missouri’s Taum Sauk is part of the Ozark Plateau and is a natural cousin of Arkansas highpoint, Mount Magazine (described in the South Region). A series of large hills dots the Southeastern Missouri landscape, and Taum Sauk is a geological wonderland, with waterfalls, rock cliffs, and mountain streams, that one would expect to see on a larger mountain. Red Tape Gated entrance to Charles Mound While many of the highpoints have minor access issues involved with their ascents, three states have significant restrictions.Charles Mound, Illinois is located on the privately owned farm of Jean and Wayne Wuebbels and the Wuebbels only allow visitation on the first weekends in June, July, August and September. In 2014, the access days will be on June 7/8, July 5/6, August 2/3, September 6/7. Daylight hours only. Special requests on non-access days will be denied no matter how much you beg.

After a few rounds of land ownership changes and significant work by the Highpointers Club in recent years, Jerimoth Hill, Rhode Island is now far more accessible than in the days when it was only open to the public five time per year. In December 2011, the State of Rhode Island purcahsed the actual summit of Jerimoth Hill from Brown University. Combined with a December 2008 purchase of the land adjacent to the highpoint, all relevant land is now in the hands of the State of Rhode Island. Read about it here. The daily visiting hours of 8 AM to 4 PM established while Jeff and Deb Mosley owned the property near the 812-foot highpoint remain in effect. Visitors are asked to stay on the main trail. Finally, Penn-Virginia Resources requires Black Mountain, Kentucky visitors to sign a summit waiver and only allows you to walk or drive the summit road. Though coal giant Penn-Virginia no longer owns mineral rights above 3,500 feet on the Kentucky side of the Black Mountain massif, it still owns surface rights and as such can enforce “No trespassing” regulations in the upper reaches of Black Mountain.

Further information on the waiver is available on the Black Mountain Summit Post page. The actual waiver is downloadable here . This downloadable waiver includes the new mailing address as of May 2010. Highpointers Atop Mount Mitchell Founded in 1987 by Jack Longacre, the Highpointers Club has grown into a well-organized group of about 2,300 members complete with a high quality quarterly newsletter, Apex to Zenith, and an annual convention. The 2013 Konvention (as it is known to members) was held on July 19 and 20th in Millinocket, Maine with activities and hikes in Baxter State Park, where Maine highpoint Katahdin rises 4,000 feet above the valley. For 2014, Clingman's Dome and nearby Gatlinburg, Tennessee have been selected as the focal point of activites on July 25 and 26. Full information and a schedule of activities can be found here . Though the Club was founded in 1987, the idea of highpointing had been previously hatched before there were even 50 states in the Union.

Arthur Marshall became the first man to climb to the summits of the 48 continguous states in July 1936 while well-known climber Vin Hoeman became the first to top out in all 50 U.S. states in July 1966. To date, there have been 253 people documented to have ascended all 50 highpoints and an additional 220 who have climbed the lower 48, making it one of the more exclusive climbing clubs in the United States. The list of completers maintained by the Highpointers Club also includes four non-US citizens, showing that this list has gained at least some international recognition. Popularity of this list appears to at an all-time high. While it took 34 years (1966-2000) between the 1st and 100th completer, there was only a nine-year span (2000-2009) between the 100th and 200th finisher.

Any bets on when the 300th finisher will be recorded?In recent years, a "can you top that" kind of competitive spirit has crept into the world of state highpointing. In 2005, Ben Jones set a speed record for climbing the 50 highpoints, doing so in 50 days while Dave Johnston (of Minus 148 fame) owns the distinction of being the first man to climb all 50 highpoints in winter, finishing in March 2005. Ben Jones' speed record was topped in the summer of 2008 by Mike Haugen and Zach Price, who with the aid of a support team and corporate sponsorship, touched all 50 highpoints in 45 days, 19 hours and 2 minutes.

Not to be outdone, the bar was set out of reach for most normal human beings of normal means and ability when - in the summer of 2010 - a 12-year-old by the name of Matt Moniz teamed up with his Dad (Mike Moniz) and Mountain Hardware to bag all 50 highpoints in a time of 43 days, three hours and 51 minutes. Read more about this young adventurer and his new record here . The speed record was broken yet again in August of 2016 by 21 year old Maddie Miller in 41 days, 16 hours, and 10 minutes. But not everyone who highpoints is focused on setting records or even finishing the list. Many enjoy taking family trips to remote parts of the country and concentrate on only the "friendly" highpoints while more hard-core climbers often set their sites on just the "tough ones." It is an activity and a Club that brings together people from all walks of life, making it quite an interesting group.And if you're a member of Summit Post, be sure to check out the STATE HIGHPOINT CLIMBERS thread for fun, casual and informative interaction with other highpointers.

Difficulty Essay A Discussion on the Difficulty Ratings of U.S. State High Points The subjectivity of how difficult the various U.S. State High Points are, is an open ended topic with no definitive answers. It's easy to classify the High Points based on generally accepted statistics: total elevation gain and/or total distance round trip. Thomas P. Martin has come up with the "Martin Classification of Difficulty for U.S. State Highpoints." . It's a combination of elevation gain and distance on the easiest "standard" route. His system assigns a "difficulty rating" to each High Point, from 1 (easiest) to 10 (most difficult). This system provides a base calculation and classification on the peaks, but is less effective on some of the harder State High Points and a few of the peaks in the East are assumed that you drive to the top. It should be noted, that both North Carolina and New Hampshire would be rated a 5 if hiked via standard routes, and Massachusetts would be ranked a 4. Martin acknowledges the various other factors that can cause subjectivity. Weather- besides ability, perhaps the leading cause of failed attempts, epic long days (and nights), injury, and even death.

If the weather is marginal and one still succeeds in reaching the summit (or not), it may increase the perception of the difficulty of the mountain. Conversely, a pleasant, windless day on many peaks could decrease the difficulty perception. Ability- a person's ability to manage the risk and discomfort of inclement weather in relation to that person's physical abilities is a big factor. Those in the best physical shape are able to overcome these difficulties without losing clarity, balance, and judgment. Those with superior mental clarity and confidence can also persevere in adverse conditions. From my experiences, the number one factor involved in backcountry or vertical wall injury is being tired. Many stumbles occur on the descent and the publication "Accidents in North American Mountaineering" (published annually) chronicles that at least 50% of accidents are on the down climb. Proximity of Training Area to High Point- those that live and train near a specific High Point can have a distinct advantage over those that must travel long distances. Besides the elevation differences that can cause altitude sickness, those that train in terrain that is similar to the High Point have a better understanding of what to expect, how their body reacts to the environment, and what is the best gear for the outing.

There are, of course, exceptions and those that are great at preparation and cross training can overcome some disadvantages. Many consider Mt.Hood in Oregon the 5th hardest U.S. High Point. With only 8 miles roundtrip and 5300 feet elevation gain, those comfortable with cramp-on work, snow climbs, and glacier travel may find this peak relatively easy. Those living near the Cascades or the Wind Rivers may deem Mt. Whitney in CA or Kings Peak, UT a more challenging outing. Whitney is usually done in a long day and involves over 21 miles and 6750 feet. Kings Peak involves an even longer climb and usually requires an overnight outing. Another factor in living close to a peak is you always have the option of going back without the monetary and time commitment that someone from another area must invest. Living near a peak, you also receive information about the peak from friends, climbing shops etc., further adding to the comfort level. In other words, there can be more pressure to summit a High Point if your traveling from another area and /or on a tight schedule involving multiple ascents. It is widely accepted that Denali in Alaska is the hardest U.S. State High Point.

The mountain involves a high level of preparation- carrying 3 weeks of food, equipment, clothing, and shelter is something that can be easily mismanaged. Often, the thought process is that bigger, warmer, more calories etc. is the proper method of being safe. The NPS, Guide Outfits, and some equipment manufacturers help to instill this attitude. If you have a big, heavy, but warm tent, lots of high calorie food items, a beefy ice-ax, and a sled full of emergency equipment, you'll be safe. Well yes and no. You'll be safe on the lower portion of the Kahiltna Glacier, and if you get tired from all the excess weight, your in a relatively safe area on the mountain. Many people are absolutely wasted by the time they reach the 14,000 camp (you start around 7,500) from hauling sleds weighing 80+ pounds plus the pack. Your safe up to 14,000 and amongst many, many climbers. The tired and injured can easily turn around in relative safety.

I've seen kegs of wine, small weather stations, and solar panel charging kits for laptops, make it to 14,000 feet. But what was the cost? In our group it was 2 injuries and heavy fatigue on several others. One of the biggest lesson learned was that "light is right" Completely dried food, lightweight tents (you can always wear your clothes inside), and lightweight hardware were the best. The other big factor, of course, was conditioning and age. Those that trained and had a high level of aerobic capacity made it to the summit. Those with relatively low body fat were the most successful. Those that had regular training experiences, were the least prone to injury on the mountain. There is often a debate as to where these mountains rank in difficulty after Denali: Granite Peak in MT , Gannett Peak in WY , and Mt. Rainier in WA . I've found all opinions legitimate and it really comes down to your experiences on glacier and rock. While all three mountains can receive severe weather and heavy snow any time of year, I've found that Mt. Rainier is subject to the longest spells of poor weather during the peak climbing season.

Granite and Gannett are more prone to thunderstorms, but in my opinion, lightning and heavy rain passes quicker in these regions. Granite Peak contains a section of rock climbing usually rated in the 5.0-5.5 range. This presents a challenge to those not comfortable with rock climbing. Add in a little snow, ice, rain, or wind to the rock section and this can be a downright sketchy and dangerous climb. It is not uncommon, however, for the experienced climber to climb this section rope-less. It is my opinion that Mt. Rainier is the second hardest State High Point, given the weather factor, it's 14,410 ft, and your traveling on very active glaciers on a generally homogenous environment where it can be easy to get off route. Even though I was able to attain the Rainier summit in a long day, I felt that more was out of my control and the potential for being exposed was great. Granite Peak, in Montana took 2 days, but I felt I was always in control of my surrounding and personally I'm most comfortable on rock. Therefore, I feel Granite is the easiest of the three peaks discussed here.

Extra Credit Well, they're not really states and not required for recognition as a 50-state completer, but the highpoints of Washington DC and Puerto Rico are each pursued by many highpointers for entirely different reasons. Fort Reno At 429-feet above sea level and located in the far Northwest quadrant of Washington DC, Fort Reno is the highest natural point in the District of Columbia ... a city whose license plates now lament "Taxation Without Representation." Of course, residents do get electoral votes in Presidential elections and some would like to see it become a state, but the dubious status of the District makes it an interesting highpointing goal if not a legitimate mountaineering objective. And, hey, if you're the type to "climb" to places like Britton Hill, Florida and Ebright Azimuth, Delaware, are you really the type to look down on DC's highest point? Fort Reno is probably best known as the site of the only Civil War battle fought within the District of Columbia. Summit Post has a rudimentary page on Fort Reno . Notably, in 2007 a 409-foot USGS benchmark was placed in the Fort Reno park, marking the highest natural point of land in DC.

This is 20 feet lower than the artificial highpoint created with landscaping around the reservoir in the Park. This project was done in cooperation with the Highpointers Club. The benchmark is located just southeast of the Reno Reservoir. From atop Cerro de Punta On the other hand, Cerro de Punta, Puerto Rico is the highest point of America's one, true un-state. As residents of a U.S. Territory, Puerto Ricans are full-fledged American citizens yet truly have little say in American politics. While the same could be said of residents of other territories, Puerto Rico - at nearly 4 million strong - is on a completely different level. It seems well within the realm of possibility that Puerto Rico will become a state at some point in the not-too-distant future, at which point the 4,389-foot Cerro de Punta will become a regular highpointer objective. A very nice Cerro de Punta page is now included in the Summit Post database. County Highpoints You can find individual lists for County Highpoints for multiple states as well on the pages of SummitPost. Resources Various Guidebooks can be obtained through the Highpointers Club.

The Winger and Holmes guidebooks rank as the most popular and comprehensive. Updates on state highpointing access and discussion of backcountry issues can be found at the America's Roof Forum. Additions and Corrections Twin Mountain New Hampshire Area Attractions and Activities | Twin Mountain / Mt. Washington KOA Twin Mountain / Mt. Washington KOA Twin Mountain / Mt. Washington KOA Open May 13 - October 10 Reserve: 800-562-9117 × Directions From Route 3 and 302: Go 2 miles on 3 N, take 115. KOA is on the right. From Route 2: Take 115, KOA is 10 miles on the left. GPS: Use 372 Rt 115, Whitefield, NH 03598. N44.305143, W71.532877 × KOA "Holiday" Campgrounds Whether you’re looking for a base camp to explore the area or lots of fun activities right on the campground, KOA Holidays are great getaways.

There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to match the way you camp. KOA Holidays even have our new Deluxe Cabins with full baths and kitchens! Take a hike, see the local attractions or just relax. It’s your holiday! Website Climb to the top of New England's highest peak on the world's first mountain-climbing Cog Railway , known as "The railway to the Moon". You will ascend thousands of feet from the Base Station to the summit of Mount Washington, 6288 ft elevation, which doesn't seem that impressive until you step out of the train. No trees, just glacial rock and the highest wind speed ever recorded by man. The views from Mt Washington are impressive and it is an amazing experience to be on its summit. It is located 20 minutes from the campground. Mount Washington Cog Railroad Base Road, Mount Washington, NH 1-800-922-8825. For the adventurous of spirit there are alternatives to the cog railroad and you can hike (Jewell or Tuckerman Trail) or drive via the Auto Road to the top of Mt. Washington.

Media: The Mount Washington Cog Railway Cog Railway news | photo gallery | video The Lore, Lure and Legends of Mount Washington BRETTON WOODS, N.H. - Since the first sea captains spotted its glittering peak from off the coast of New Hampshire nearly 500 years ago, Mount Washington has captured the imagination of all who visit it. History says it was Giovanni de Verrazano who first reported seeing it while sailing off Portsmouth in 1524. More than a century later, in 1642, Darby Field would be the first man to climb the summit, defying Indian lore that regarded the summit as the sacred home to the Great Spirit, where death would come to anyone ascending the peak. At 6,288 feet, there are certainly taller mountains in the world than Mount Washington, but there are few with its mercurial moodiness. One moment, the lofty peak can be in the clear, affording views of four states, Canada, and the Atlantic Ocean. In the next, clouds can enshroud it, blown in by hurricane-force winds.

On April 12, 1934, the highest wind speed ever recorded on Earth was clocked at 231 mph by the crew at the then-fledgling Mount Washington Observatory and since that day, the peak and its slopes have been known as having the world's worst weather. While the towering mountain can look benign on summer's day, it belies the harsh extremes. The average annual snowfall is 177 inches. There is permafrost beneath the summit, left over from the continental ice sheet that once covered it. The lowest recorded temperature was minus 49 degrees (F) and one summer, the mercury reached 74 degrees (F). By the time the first railroads pushed into the North Country in the mid-1800s, stories about the beauty of the White Mountains and the hospitality of the Crawford and Rosebrook families began luring the adventurous from Boston and beyond to this untamed wilderness.

Hardy men accompanied by women wearing long skirts and carrying parasols took to climbing Mount Washington, but by the late 1850s, enterprising businessmen like Sylvester Marsh developed ways to bring them to the summit faster, where they could stay overnight at the Tip Top House, enjoying mountaintop hospitality. Legend has it that Marsh was one of those adventurers who set out one day in 1852 to hike to the summit. After being lost in a storm, he set about finding a way to safely reach the summit. Seventeen years later, his mountain climbing Cog Railway reached the top of Mount Washington, in the summer of 1869. Visitors arriving at the top of the mountain today can find a bustling community with diverging interests, from scientists who man the weather observatory year-round and Appalachian Trail hikers on their way from Georgia to Maine to knowledgeable Mount Washington State Park rangers and even the postmaster of 03589, the local branch of the U.S. Post Office. Articles World Record for Fastest Wind Speed By Rachelle Oblack Updated June 13, 2016.

Have you ever felt a strong gust of wind and wondered what's the fastest wind ever recorded on the surface of the earth? World Record for Fastest Wind Speed The fastest wind speed ever recorded comes from a hurricane gust. On April 10, 1996, Tropical Cyclone Olivia (a hurricane) passed by Barrow Island, Australia. The equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane at the time, is 254 mph (408 km/h). U.S. Highest Wind Before Tropical Cyclone Olivia came along, the highest wind speed measured anywhere in the world was 231 mph (372 km/h) recorded at the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire on April 12, 1934. After Olivia broke this record (which was held for nearly 62 years) the Mount Washington wind became the second fastest wind worldwide. Today, it remains the fastest wind ever recorded in the United States and in the Northern Hemisphere. With a slogan like "Home of the World's Worst Weather," Mount Washington is a location known for having harsh weather.

continue reading below our video 10 Best Universities in the United States Standing at 6,288 feet, it is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States. But it's high elevation isn't the only reason it regularly experiences heavy fogs, whiteout conditions, and gales -- its position at the crossroads of storm tracks from the Atlantic to the south, from the Gulf, and from the Pacific Northwest makes it a bullseye for storminess. The mountain and its parent range (the Presidential Range) are also oriented north-south, which . Air is commonly forced over the mountains, making it a prime location for high wind speeds. Hurricane-force wind gusts are observed at the mountain's summit nearly a third of the year. but a perfect spot for weather monitoring which is why it is home to a mountaintop weather station called the Mount Washington Observatory. Believe it or not, the U.S. commemorates this wind record every April 12th on Big Wind day. More: What Weather Holidays Do We Recognize in the U.S.? How Fast is Fast?

200 miles per hour is fast, but to give you an idea of just how fast, let's compare it to wind speeds you may have felt during certain weather conditions: Blizzard winds blow at 35 mph or more. Winds in a severe thunderstorm can gust in the 50 to 65 mph range. A weak category 5 hurricane's strongest sustained winds blow at 157 mph. When you compare the 254 mph wind speed record to these, it's easy to tell that that is some serious wind! What about Tornadic Winds? Tornadoes are some of weather's most violent windstorms (winds inside of an EF-5 can exceed 300 mph!). Why then, aren't they responsible for the fastest wind? Tornadoes usually aren't included in the rankings for fastest surface winds because there is no reliable way to measure their wind speeds directly (they destroy weather instruments), Doppler radar can be used to estimate a tornado's winds, but because it only gives an approximation, these measurements cannot be .

If tornadoes were included, the world's fastest wind would be approximately 302 mph (484 km/h) as observed by a Doppler on Wheels during a tornado occurring between Oklahoma City and Moore, Oklahoma on May 3, 1999. 51 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About New Hampshire - Movoto 51 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About New Hampshire Vermin Supreme for president. 1. In 2012, a man named Vermin Supreme was listed on New Hampshire’s Democratic Primary ballot for president. The heart of his platform were promises of “free ponies and mandatory tooth brushing." Supreme finished in sixth with 833 votes. Source: Flickr user Marc Nozell 2. The 1995 blockbuster “Jumanji,” starring Robin Williams, was set and filmed in the city of Keene. Source: Jumanji via Facebook 3. New Hampshire is home to the first ever widely publicized case of an alien abduction. In 1961, Portsmouth natives Betty and Barney Hill reported being abducted by extraterrestrials and taken into a UFO.

Since July of 2011, there has been a state historical marker at the alleged abduction site. 4. The potato is New Hampshire’s state vegetable. It is widely believed that America’s first white potato was planted in Londonderry in 1719. Most nutritionists consider the potato to be more of a starch. 5. In 2012, an Epping, New Hampshire woman was arrested four times over the span of 26 hours for blasting AC/DC music and then throwing a frying pan. That kind of dedication takes some Big Balls. 6. Franklin Pierce is the only United States President to hail from New Hampshire. While he is generally considered to have had a lackluster presidency, New Hampshirites can take solace in the fact that Nerve.com ranked him America’s 5th sexiest president. Source: Wikimedia Commons via Tohma 7. In 2011, a Rochester, New Hampshire woman had an urn full of her mother’s ashes stolen at a bingo game. She eventually went to the media with the story hoping to convince the perpetrator to return the urn. A few days later, it showed up on her doorstep. 8.

In 2013, an Epsom, New Hampshire man lost $2,600—all of his savings—playing a carnival game called “Tubs of Fun.” He was trying to win an Xbox Kinect but came up short, and instead, went home with a huge stuffed banana with dreadlocks. Source: Youtube user bobus2 9. Last December, a New Hampshire man caught the attention of local police by knocking on the windows of Hollis Primary School while dressed as Santa and waving to students. The man claimed he was just trying to spread some good old-fashioned “holiday cheer.” 10. New Hampshirites are some of the best presidential voters in the country. In 2012 they ranked fourth in the nation with a turnout of 71 percent compared to a national turnout of 57.5 percent. 11. New Hampshire’s coastal Isles of Shoals were originally named Smythe Isles by the explorer John Smith—yes, he of Disney movie fame. Source: Pocahontas via Facebook 12. In New Hampshire, it’s illegal to sell lightning rods without a license. 13.

It’s also illegal to shoot animals chased up a tree by a dog not from your hunting party. 14. In 2010, the obituary of Dover’s Binx the Goat appeared in newspapers around the state, even though he was famous for almost no reason beyond the fact his owners frequently walked him through town. According to one obituary, “he welcomed a soft pat on his behind, and appreciated any treats fans would drop in his path.” Don’t we all. 15. You probably know that “Live free or die” is New Hampshire’s stark state motto. You might not know that the quote comes from a toast written by New Hampshire Revolutionary War hero General John Stark, and the full quote was “Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils.” 16. New Hampshire’s state sport is skiing. Source: Wildcat Mountain via Facebook 17. The Woodman Museum in Dover is a history, science, and art museum displaying everything from Abe Lincoln’s saddle to samurai armor. Maybe the most popular attraction at the museum, however, is a four-legged chicken. 18.

In New Hampshire, it’s against the law for unlicensed showmen, tumblers and rope dancers to perform in public. 19. New Hampshire’s oldest continuous European settlement is Dover, which dates all the way back to 1623. 20. It’s against the law to import a wolf into New Hampshire. 21. Peterborough is home to the United States’ first public library, which dates back to 1833. Source: Wikimedia Commons user Matthiasb 22. Cornish is home to the Blow-Me-Down Bridge. The name isn’t meant to tempt fate, it refers to the Blow-Me-Down Brook below. Source: Wikimedia Commons user JERRY & ROY KLOTZ MD 23. Mount Washington was home to the highest wind speed ever recorded by man. The record 231 mph speed was measured in 1934. Source: Wikimedia Commons user BenFrantzDale 24. CNBC ranked New Hampshire America’s “Best State to Live in 2012.” 25. Luther C. Ladd of Alexandria, New Hampshire is believed to be the first soldier killed during the Civil War.

He died during the Baltimore riot of 1861, and was just 17 at the time. 26. At just 18 miles, New Hampshire has the shortest coastline of any ocean-touching U.S. state. Source: Flickr user Doug Kerr 27. New Hampshire was originally named North Virginia. 28. If there was a good metric to calculate the statistic, New Hampshire would probably by #1 in the country when it comes to per capita comedy talent. Late Night host Seth Meyers and stand-up comedian Sarah Silverman both grew up in Bedford. Adam Sandler is from neighboring Manchester. Source: Flickr user Anya Garrett 29. The Mount Washington Hillclimb, hosted since 1904 on Mount Washington Auto Road, is the oldest auto race in America. 30. "Old New Hampshire" is the official state song but there are eight other honorary state songs, including "New Hampshire Naturally" and "Oh, New Hampshire (you’re my home)." 31. It’s possible you’ve never heard of Newport native Sarah Josepha Hale, but you definitely know her work.

She wrote the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” She was also instrumental in the founding of Thanksgiving, writing letters to five different presidents trying to convince them to support legislation establishing the holiday. The last, Abraham Lincoln, took her up on her request in 1863 in part to foster a sense of unity and hope during the Civil War. Source: Wikimedia Commons user Uruiamme 32. Levi Hutchins of Concord is frequently credited with inventing the first alarm clock in 1787. However, mechanical alarm clocks date back to 15th-century Europe, and ancient Greek philosopher Plato is rumored to have possessed something akin to an alarm clock. 33. Derry, New Hampshire native Alan B. Shepard was the first American ever in space. He also has the longest golf drive in history, having hit two balls an estimated 2.5 miles each when he visited the moon in 1971. Source: Wikimedia Commons user Bubba73 34. Most New Hampshirites know that the unincorporated town of Dixville Notch is the first place in America to cast votes on presidential election day, with voting beginning at Midnight.

The town’s roughly 75 residents are known for accurately predicting the final outcome but it hasn’t always been the case. In 1960, Richard Nixon received nine Dixville Notch votes, while John F. Kennedy received zero. Source: Wikimedia Commons user Maksim 35. Earlier this year, New Hampshire’s bald eagle population was reported as being on the rebound after wildlife experts and birdwatchers counted 69 in a single day. 36. New Hampshire has two state seals: the best known seal features early American frigate the USS Raleigh, and the other features upright fish, a pine tree and five arrows. The fish and tree represent industry, and the arrows represent New Hampshire’s five counties. Source: Wikimedia Commons user Denelson83 37. New Hampshire acquired the state nickname “ Switzerland of America” after early visitors compared the White Mountains to those of Switzerland. 38. In November of 2003, minor league baseball team the New Haven Ravens announced the would be renaming the team the New Hampshire Primaries upon relocating to Manchester. Their logo featured a donkey and an elephant. After some local outrage, the team allowed took to a fan vote to rename the team.

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats ended up winning out. Source: Wikimedia Commons user Tom Danson 39. New Hampshire’s state constitution dates back to 1784, making it the second oldest in the nation. Only Massachusetts’ state constitution, approved in 1780, is older. 40. The island town of New Castle is the smallest by land mass in New Hampshire. It covers .8 square miles and has a population of roughly 1,000. It is also the easternmost town in the state. Source: Flickr user InAweofGod'sCreation 41. New Hampshire ranks second in the nation for beef consumption per capita, behind only North Dakota. 42. Pittsburg, New Hampshire is the largest town in all of New England. It covers roughly 300 square miles, but has a population under 1,000. 43. New Hampshire is the only state where a foreign war has been formally ended. The Treaty of Portsmouth, signed in 1905, put an end to the Russo-Japanese War, fought over competing imperial interests. Teddy Roosevelt moderated the talks, and won a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

Source: Wikimedia Commons user Amagase 44. New Hampshire is the only state where seat belts are not mandatory, and one of only a few states where motorcycle helmets are not mandatory. 45. New Hampshire is also the only state in New England that currently allows the death penalty. 46. A 2009 study conducted by University of New Hampshire researchers found a negative correlation between childhood spanking and the IQ. 47. New Hampshire has hosted the earliest presidential primary since 1920, and the state has passed several laws to ensure they stay #1. This is largely because holding the primary is a big moneymaker for the state. Source: Victory NH via Flickr 48. New Hampshire is the only state in America where the parks system is completely funded by user fees instead of appropriated funds from the state budget. 49. A whopping 96% of all employers in New Hampshire are small business owners. Source: Gail Frederick via Flickr 50. Merrimack is home to the famous Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales. They’re notably the only horses ever to play football in a Super Bowl commercial. 51. New Hampshire has the longest running lottery in the continental United States.

Initially numbers were not randomly drawn, but determined by horse races at Rockingham Park in Salem to avoid federal anti-lottery laws. Source: Flickr user Boston Public Library What’s your favorite New Hampshire fun fact? Tell us in the comments below! Who is Movoto Real Estate , you might ask? Movoto is an online real estate brokerage based in San Mateo, CA. Our blog has been recognized for its unique approach to city-based research by major news organizations around the world such as Forbes and CBS News. Posted on: July 24,2014

Question: What New Hampshire mountain is famous for having the highest wind speed ever recorded in the U.S.?
Answer: Mount Washington