Monday Muse: Seek the Peak

Seek the Peak is now two weeks away and we're only halfway to our fundraising goal.  This is entirely my fault.  I haven't been aggressive with our fundraising efforts because, well...I'm not good at asking people for money.  Most people can't spare all that much, especially in this economic climate.  HOWEVER -- this is a worthy cause and the event is fast approaching, so I'm going to go ahead and, well, ask you for money.

We need your help, folks.  If you can spare a few bucks and would like to help fund the efforts of the Mt. Washington Observatory, then please click here and donate whatever amount you can.  Every dollar helps.

(Hugh's in the process of hitting up his MIT co-workers for contributions; he's assured me that some money is on the way, so thanks in advance, Media Lab people!)

The following is copied word for word from Seek the Peak's website.  Read it through, click here, and contribute what you can.  Thank you!

The Cause

Since 1932, the legendary Mount Washington Observatory has been monitoring the conditions in one of the most extreme places on Earth—the summit of New Hampshire's Mount Washington. Bitter cold, dense fog, heavy snow and legendary wind combine to make the mountain a truly harsh place. In fact, the fastest surface wind gust ever observed by man was recorded by Mount Washington Observatory in April of 1934, an astonishing 231 miles per hour! To this day, scientists, educators, interns and volunteers live and work on the summit of the Northeast's tallest peak, observing and documenting the "world's worst weather".

The Observatory also engages in cutting-edge scientific research, both on and off the mountain. In collaboration with partners such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University, the Appalachian Mountain Club and many others, Mount Washington Observatory conducts important research in icing, mountain weather and climate, instrument siting and product testing.

For more than a decade, Observatory outreach educators have been traveling across the region in a Subaru "Weathermobile" bringing interactive science programs into classrooms, libraries, science centers, and other locations. Observatory educators teach children and adults about the fundamentals of our weather and climate, and the complex natural systems of our environment. Now, students across the nation also have the ability to connect with weather observers at the summit through videoconferencing technology. Our distance learning programs help educate students about weather and climate with the mountain's notorious extremes as a captivating backdrop.

The Observatory also operates the Weather Discovery Center science museum in North Conway, NH, offering unique, hands-on exhibits that educate about the fundamentals of weather and Mount Washington's extreme conditions. Twice daily "Live from the Rockpile" presentations, offered by Observatory summit staff via video conference, give museum visitors a real-time look at life on the mountain. These unique, interactive programs also help visitors understand how weather works, how weather observations are made and what goes into the making of a forecast.

For an inside look at the Mount Washington Observatory, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, including current conditions, webcams, forums and extensive weather information, please visit www.MountWashington.org.