MINIsOnTop June 16th, 2007

[Theo]

The organizers of MINIs On Top 2007 have just released information about this year's Yankee Candle and Area 51 Caravan to MOT 2007 to be held on Friday, June 15th.

Head over to the newly-released Yankee Candle & Area 51 Caravan website and the companion sign-up thread on MINI2, Yankee Candle & Area 51 Caravan to MOT 2007.

Theo

[MINIRANDOLPH]

Just curious as the registration deadline grows near how many cars,people have signed up so far.

[MGB Boy]

Finally mailed mine this AM. I knew I wouldn't be first, maybe instead I can be last.

-Ricardo

[holdenontoit]

ah grasshopper.............only one can be first.

[GBMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIRANDOLPH (original)

Just curious as the registration deadline grows near how many cars,people have signed up so far.

Registration this year has been a little behind last years levels, Eliot ...

In my spreadsheet tonight, we have 180 cars bringing 370 people; 160 of those cars will drive up Mount Washington, taking 326 people (after they've polished off 300 dinners.

166 people have expressed an interest in the Saturday evening "bonus feature" at the Town & Country, after we descend from the top.

[snid]

On my skiing email list, someone asked why there had been no weather reports from Mount Washington for the last few days, here's the answer:

10:24 AM Wed Apr 18th

The challenges continue for the exhausted Observatory crew atop Mount Washington. Wind continues to blast the summit facility from the east, currently above 80 mph with higher gusts. Because of this east wind, extreme accumulation of ice and snow is happening in places that are normally sheltered from the summit's typical northwest winds.

The "thermo shack", the small structure that holds thermometers just outside the observation deck level tower door, is completely encased in a tremendous amount of ice, and observer Jim Salge reports that it is in danger of collapsing. The east wind has moved our visibility sensor so that it is now facing a different direction, rendering it ineffective. It also loaded up one of the cables that hold the massive steel "A-frame" outside the tower door with ice, so much ice that the cable snapped. The crew has temporarily repaired the cable, so the A-frame can still protect the crew from flying chunks of ice. The precipitation can, located about 100 yards away from the Sherman Adams Building's main entrance, is completely buried in snow and ice.

The State Park crew has their hands full with their own set of storm-related problems. The State Park's Yankee Building has taken a blow from the storm, with a window being broken by flying ice and a door blown in. Water is entering the Sherman Adams Building in a few places.

Morale on the summit is as good as you could expect, given the enormous amount of back-breaking shoveling that has to be done when the snow is drifting in front of most exterior doors relentlessly. Jim described the path from the Sherman Adams main entrance as "1 1/2 shovel widths wide and 7 feet tall." Yikes.

We'll post some pics if the staff is able to get down on shift change today. In any event, Jim, Ryan, Brent and our wonderful volunteer Peggy will certainly be happy to pass the baton to the next crew!

Scot Henley – Executive Director

[bethandlouis]

There was an avalanche at Tuckerman's Ravine too (although this happened a week ago (I think))

[Theo]

Mary Powers (Auto Road) reports 3 feet of snow has just fallen!

Theo

[snid]

Avalanches are frequent in Tuckerman's Ravine, so that's not too surprising.

Here's another update:

Video from Jim Salge up at the observatory with 120mph sustained winds
threatening to blow the place down. Here's something he posted on the
EasternUSwx board the other day...

"Due to the easterly wind direction, work conditions are extremely
challenging. We can now only get out through a few of the exits, in addition
to the top of the tower. Icing continues at 3 to 6 inches per hour, and
winds have topped out at 147 mph thus far. All things considered
though...things are going rather well!

Here's a video of our front door airlock buckling ... noone dares pop the
latch here now!"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lmQw-MF62BU

[bethandlouis]

Maybe the reason it made the news was that someone was skiing it at the time. Accident Report shows on 4/14 there were two back to back skier triggered avalanches.

[blalor]

That's insane. Why would anyone voluntarily live up there?!

[snid]

Quote: Originally Posted by blalor (original)

That's insane. Why would anyone voluntarily live up there?!

Because it's there.

[yellowmininy]

They take turns. It's not the same crew up there all the time. Jim Salge is one of the paid meterologists, most of the rest of the staff are volunteers. I believe the cat lives there year round.

Like I always say, the really amazing thing about the 231 mph wind speed is that someone climbed up on the tower to knock the ice off the anemometer with a crowbar at 125 mph, because they knew they were going to see some high winds. Climbing up on the tower at 70 mph was pretty impressive (plug for the Observatory tour!)

[holdenontoit]

I second that sentiment, the observatory tour is soooooo cool , plus you get to go up early and get the primo parking spaces! And meet the cat! If you are on the fence about the tour, I give it a rousing two thumbs up!

[GBMINI]

ALMOST FULL!
Only ten spots remain on top of Mount Washington ... if you're not yet registered, you might be too late to participate in the drive up the auto road.

Of course, you can still register and enjoy the many other activities ... but remember that registration closes in just one week!