If you’ve ever been to the White Mountains in New Hampshire, you know that breathtaking view you get as you wind around the narrow highway and see the looming expanse of Mount Washington’s rocky peak. While the mountain’s height (6,288 feet) sets a record in the Northeast, Mount Washington’s real claim to fame actually has nothing to do with its size. It’s the extreme weather conditions experienced on its summit that set it apart from similar settings.

In addition, Mount Washington houses the only mountaintop scientific station, called the Mount Washington Observatory, remaining in continuous operation in the United States. Manned by a staff of dedicated professionals, the private, non-profit institution is distinguished not only for it scientific research and meteorological work, but also for its unique educational programs.

A View From Above

The summit of Mount Washington, which is located in Sargent’s Purchase, New Hampshire, lies in the midst of the Mount Washington State Park. This popular destination draws people from all over, many of whom want to hike the variety of well-known trails and a few who even want to experience what it’s like to sleep close to the stars on the mountaintop.

The Appalachian Trail also runs across the summit, and it is here that one of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s alpine huts is located. In addition, hikers are drawn to the mountain’s Tuckerman Ravine, which has 45 degree slopes and is known to experience as many as 100 avalanches on an annual basis. While only six hikers have died in these natural occurrences over the past two centuries, the mountain has in fact seen many other hikers’ deaths on its peak. Many of these have resulted because of the extreme and unpredictable weather and inadequate planning for the conditions.

It is also important to note that the highest wind gust ever directly measured on Earth (231 miles per hour) was recorded by the Mount Washington Observatory in April of 1934. Such continuing strong, and capricious, weather conditions can make the peak an extremely hazardous place to be during the winter months.