Volunteer Examiner needed On Mt. Washington, NH 2-22-15

Howdy HAMs,

Sorry for the SPAM. I'm in desperate need of a Volunteer Examiner who is able to enjoy a moderate 2-mile walk uphill on Mt. Washington, New Hampshire this weekend. My Wife and I are the long-time caretakers at the Harvard Cabin, a public use cabin on the East Side of Mt. Washington. We have a VE Session scheduled for this coming Sunday, Feb 22nd. However, one of our VE's has had to cancel. We have a handful of examinees (Technician Class) and I'm hoping we don't have to cancel so that we can get more of our mountain friends licensed and operating before the end of Winter.

I'm reaching out to the SOTA community because given the last minute notice, we need to find a VE for which an hour walk in a beautiful place won't be a totally new experience. Of course, there will be plenty of cheer and camaraderie at the end of your walk

I will be heading back up to the cabin this morning and away from e-mail. Please call or text 617-939-3852 after 12 PM. Also, you can send a short SMS (160 characters) to 6179393852@vtext.com. We also monitor the N. Conway, NH Cranmore 2-mtr 145.450 repeater and Mt. Washington 146.655.

As I said, the cabin is located 2 miles up the east side of Mt. Washington. The trail is well-packed (groomed daily by Forest Service Snow Machines). The cabin will be uncharacteristically warm (day fire) and VE's and Examinees will be fed! If you or anyone you know would be interested in a very unique Exam Session, please, please, please get in touch with me ASAP!

The Trailhead is located at Pinkham Notch between Conway and Gorham, New Hampshire. 361 Route 16 in Gorham, NH or I would just follow directions to the Wildcat Ski Area.
As I've said, the cabin approach is on foot and is a moderate hike over side, well-traveled, snow packed trail started at 1900 Feet. The Harvard Cabin is sits just below Huntington Ravine, at 3500 Feet (Below treeline). An enjoyable walk. We can certainly meet anyone at the trail head for help hauling any gear or just providing escort.

HAMs/VE's are welcome to stay at the cabin tonight, tomorrow, or Sunday night...or as many nights as you'd like. You will need to be prepared with a winter sleeping gear (30 Degree back should suffice). The cabin temperature is about 70 degrees when we go to bed and about 45 when we wake. \


Relatively new hams ourselves, Marcia and I have been pretty shameless in our recruiting efforts in recent years.

The list of cabin recruits is as follows;

KB1WEP, KB1WEW, KB1YLO, KC1BHG, KC1BLU, KG7BCF...I'm sure there are a few more I'm forgetting.

We even pulled a few out of the wood work - KB1AFO, WA3RBN...

And the list keeps growing....

You can find out more about the cabin, club, and caretakers at http://www.harvardmountaineering.org/cabin

Rich Palatino
Harvard Cabin Caretaker

Rich and Marcia
Cabin Caretakers 2014/15
KB1WDW & KB1WEP

http://www.harvardmountaineering.org/cabin/caretaker/

NOTE - Harvard Cabin is not affiliated with the Appalachian Mountain Club. Harvard Cabin is maintained by Harvard Mountaineering Club for use by the general public. The cabin is operated under a special-use permit granted by the USDA Forest Service. Cabin space and tent-sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis between December 1st and March 31st each year. Specific instructions for staying at the cabin can be found online at http://www.HarvardMountaineering.org


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http://MountWashingtonAvalancheCenter.org

http://MountWashington.org


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February 13, 2015

Happy Friday Harvard Cabin Mountaineers,

Howdy Folks! Happy Valentines Day! I love powder! Well, What can I say, it's late, I'm late....I just couldn't creep uphill without sending out another update. I had hoped to get this one out yesterday in hopes of influencing your weekend planning.
So, I'll try to speed-round this one...


First of all, those south and west of The Rock Pile know that the 4th Armageddon of the month is setting up nicely thanks to another low pressure system in perfect vicinity to the warm current of the Atlantic gulf stream. The system is complimented oh so nicely by strong arctic high pressure. It is tjhe perfect ballet that is helping maintain winters' strong coastal presence this year. So, my advice to those of you reading this in Boston....get out while you can. Consider Routes 1 and 95 part of the route finding challenge for the weekend and there will be plenty of challenges if you make it into the alpine this weekend. More on that in a bit. For now and in brief, both weather and snowpack concerns this weekend will be less then ideal. However, so too will be the brittle ice and the howling winds in Crawford Notch. How does a weekend filled with screaming-barfies sound when compared to a warm cabin where you can "lean-two by the fire". We've already had one team retreat from Hermit Lake for the warm refuge of the Harvard Cabin.

There is a chance you'll be able to get up a gully early tomorrow (saturday) and then again on Monday when things start to clear. However, between those two days the ravines will produce a much needed avalanche cycle. Monday could be a gem of a day...winter conditions, blowing snow but plenty of sunshine! Depending on how the winds line-up through the climax of the storm there still could be plenty of snow blowing around the mountain making for poor visibility OR it could have all been blown down to Bean town making for a sender day! With the wind forecast including sustained winds of 115 MPH, I'm willing to bet it will be a combo of cleaned out gullies to scary to look at hang-fire. You'll just have to chance it and be here....it could be an interesting place to weather the storm and see what the mountain will give you. It would be great to see many of you who haven't made it to the cabin yet this season. Bonus being, I won't have to update you on what you missed when she finally lifts her vail. That being said, I wouldn't be too goal oriented this weekend. Below tree line adventures will be great....sliding sports will be enjoyable as will flying kites and hauling firewood......to burn next season, if you're so willing

Snow and Ice Conditions

Well, the ice is in. No surprise there. What is surprising is how spring-like Pinnacle Gully is looking like in terms of the quality and magnitude of ice. It's probably the number one reason to get here soon if you are swinging tools. The Tuckerman Ravine Trail is completely snow covered. Not a hint of those water bars anywhere. Following three winter events up here in the last two weeks, the trail is as pleasant as it was late March last season. It has been incredible. The Harvard Snow stake is hovering around 110cm (43") of settled snow pack. I tell you, this winter has been making up for the suffering caretakers and rangers have endured over the last five seasons. It's been good from the start and well, I'll stop right there for fear of upsetting Jack Frost and the almighty Ullr. Needless to say, winter mountain travel below treeline is all that is should be - quick and easy!


This includes, of course, the Fire Road which is also well-packed by Forest Service Snow Mobiles and everyone's favorite Piston Bully! Marcia and I were even able to travel directly up the Huntington Drainage and into The Fan on Wednesday, skipping the final stretches of the Huntington Ravine Trail. This could only be recommended for those using floatation, more specifically skis, but still it highlights the point.....WINTER IS IN!

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It is amazing how quickly things turned-around. In the last update, we talked about the lack of even one major winter storm to impact the region and now we are working on number four in a little over two weeks! We're doing good and will be doing even better as we start off the new week!​

Snowpack Discussion

In the interest of time, I'm not going to regurgitate the weeks experiences in the snow. I would recommend reading all of last weeks' Avalanche Advisories starting with last Monday and working your way forward to the latest update. Sure, it is a lot of words, but I promise you the verb-age is interesting and valuable. Rangers make a huge effort and lifestyle/family decisions to gain and maintain the knowledge and skills to be able to provide this information for all to consume. EAT IT UP! Even if you don't make it into the ravines this weekend the knowledge is good and the problems we are currently dealing with reflect what is seen in bigger mountain ranges with more uniform and much more massive snow fields. It's pretty cool stuff! I don't know if I can remember a winter where we've had such classic, text book avalanche problems. This can be mostly attributed to consistently cold temperatures and relatively low-winds. It really is a beautiful yet scary thing and probably why the northeast is sporting some of the best skiing in North America right now.

After a day of a increasing northerly winds, I'd like to clue you in on what is happening this hour. A short while ago, just before sunset this afternoon Marcia and I were looking north into the Northern Presidential's from route 16 heading towards Pinkham Notch. It was readily apparent that alpine snow that laid down smooth and sat undisturbed for much of the week had begun being transported to southerly aspects. As we looked north, the setting sun well-below ridge line but still illuminating the summits, lion head, nelson crag, and the cow pasture...it was as if the high points were venting steam through the clear backdrop of blue skies and warm light. It was beautiful and reminiscent of bigger ranges elsewhere in the world....yet, we had just left Wal-Mart. Damn, I love this place!

So, as with my last updates, we've enjoyed many quite, blue-bird days in both Huntington and Tuckerman over the last few weeks. Climbers have been scarce in the alpine and we just cannot believe it! We sure hope this trend changes soon. Marcia is getting really sick of looking at me.....do it for her, do it for the cabin....do it for yourself. Come to Harvard Cabin!

As always, keep up-to-date on Snow and Avalanche Conditions at http://www.MountWashingtonAvalancheCenter.org.

Mount Washington Valley Ice Festival 2015 - Thanks Everyone!

Thank you to International Mountain Equipment/Climbing School for organizing the 22nd annual Ice Fest. It was a great time as usual and the Harvard Mountaineering Club was proud to be part of such an awesome event. We hope to be able to do more to add to the event in the future! Thanks also to all those who spent some time visiting the Harvard Cabin Table. We appreciate the exposure and will continue working hard to ensure the cabin remains full of climbers for a long, long time! If you're new to the alpine world, we hope to see you soon! If you're still racking Snargs and Warthogs, we're left wondering why it's been so long. Come up to Harvard Cabin, we'd love to see you and your collection of historical climbing gear!


Remembering Ned Green

Well, it does seem like I have a long list of Thank You's I haven't yet gotten to this season. For obvious reasons, the latest addition has been advanced to the top of the list. I'd like to thank Clare Green, mother of deeply missed and unforgettable Caretaker #2, Ned Green, for making the trek up to the Harvard Cabin this week. For those of you who might not know, Ned succumbed to climbing injuries sustained in a fall resulting from an ice damn failure in Damnation gully on February 18th, 2001. At the time, he was caretaking at Harvard Cabin and was a well-known fixture across the White Mountains....Green Mountains too.

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Unlike many of you reading, I never knew Ned. Still, Clare and I have corresponded a bit over the years. Never more then a casual note via e-mail...most of the time trying to coordinate a meeting. Sometimes she'd send me a note about Ned..Nedley Notes I'd call them. So, early-on this season, I contacted Clare to encourage her return again this year. Very happily, this past Thursday Marcia and I finally met "Ole Ma" on a snow and sun filled day at the Harvard Cabin. What a hoot! Clare Green, AKA "Ole Ma", is quite a lady....I never really thought too much about what it would be like to meet Clare. I just knew I would like the opportunity. Former snow rangers would ask me if I'd ever seen Clare around, particularly around the anniversary of Ned's death. Illusive she remained until now and, wow, what a wonderful person! Marcia and I are looking forward to her return and catching up with her back in Western Massachusetts this Spring! Clare, Thank You so much for coming up to the cabin. We wished you had more time, but we'll see you soon....for sure! Oh..and nice sled track. Looks like you made it to the dining hall with time to spare!

Cabin guests often spend time reading Cutting the Bond a compilation of Ned's writings, which include some from his time at the Harvard Cabin. The book was compiled by Clare and has many contributions and insights from many who knew and worked, lived, and loved along side Ned Green.

If you are interested in a copy of the book, they are available at http://www.nedgreen.com



Upcoming Events

HAM Radio Exam Session - Feb 22, 2015

Okay...well, many of you know that Marcia and I are shameless promoters of the hobby that is Amateur Radio (HAM Radio). Many of you also endure the endless harassment that goes with our promotion of the utility of radio, especially amongst all of you - our mountain friends! Well, we are happy to say - we've pulled-out all the stops - and we are going to make it easy for you to no longer carry the shame and embarrassment of letting another year go by without a callsign! With the help of the White Mountain Amateur Radio Club, we are hosting a HAM Radio Exam Session at the Harvard Cabin on Feburary 22nd, 2015!

You too can join the increasing number of backcountry travelers who have joined the ranks of radio operators. There have been many who caved to Marcia's persuasive wit and so far haven't any regrets except for not having done it sooner! Well-known amateur radio operators on Mt. Washington include the likes of the late Joe Dodge (W1UN), a life-long radioman. More contemporaries would include Marc Chauvin (N1WCU), Kel Rossiter, Adventure Spirit Guides (KB1YLO), and as of late, Dick Chasse of Acadia Mountain Guides (KC1DEY). Just this week Dick was able to experience the thrill and utility of radio. With a push of a button, Dick was able to make contact with the Harvard Cabin from his home near Acadia National Park. Congrats, Dick! Welcome to the club!

The Ham Radio License Manual, published by the American Radio Relay League, is all you'll need to pass your test. The book may be available at your local bookstore or library. Check there first or order from Amazon by clicking here.

Short notice, I know, but trust me the content is easily digestible. Study time is about an hour a day for a week. Then you take a 35-question, multiple choice test. Get 26 correct and you'll be issued your own callsign and have instant access to the Harvard Cabin from anywhere in the world...I kid you not! Pricing for high-powered, light-weight, handheld transceivers begins ~$30 US. Click here to browse! Order your book and radio today!


Avalanche Training

There are many guides services and schools offering avalanche courses on Mt. Washington and beyond this winter. You can find free educational materials and a list of qualified instructors at http://www.avalanche.org/education.php

AIARE Level 1 at Mount Washington Observatory - April 10-12, 2015

Harvard Cabin History

Harvard Cabin Fun Fact:

The Harvard Mountaineering Club was founded by Henry Snow Hall, Jr (1895-1987) in his living room in Cambridge in 1924. His goal was to inspire and encourage climbers. His "seed planting" tendencies are well-documented in the Journals of the Harvard Mountaineering Club. Henry S. Hall, was on the First Ascent Team of Mt. Logan in 1925, though he turned back on summit day to help a sick member descend. After a life filled with Mountaineering pursuits and the encouragement needed to create nearly a centuries worth of new climbers, he is forever remembered with the naming of the Henry S. Hall, Jr The Amercian Alpine Club Library in Golden, Colorado. If ever you are near Golden, be sure to make the journey to the library....you'll probably stay a while. The place is an amazing collection of guide books from around the world along with volumes and volumes covering everything mountain/alpine related. If ever you are planning a trip, be sure to consult the library. AAC Members are able to make use of the library at a distance via the post. The library alone is well-worth the cost of membership!

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Well, once again, thanks for reading! We hope you will come and help keep the history and tradition of The Harvard Cabin alive and well! So much for the speed round....

Make sense to us that you come celebrate Washington's Birthday on The Rock Pile...We hope see you at the cabin,

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Rich Palatino
Harvard Cabin Caretaker

Rich and Marcia
Cabin Caretakers 2014/15

"Alertness and awareness are far greater assets then toughness, and might not fearlessness sometimes be a euphemism for clueless?"
-Dr. Katy Cuizie Gajdos

NOTE - Harvard Cabin is not affiliated with the Appalachian Mountain Club. Harvard Cabin is maintained by Harvard Mountaineering Club for use by the general public. The cabin is operated under a special-use permit granted by the USDA Forest Service. Cabin space and tent-sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis between December 1st and March 31st each year. Specific instructions for staying at the cabin can be found online at http://www.HarvardMountaineering.org​

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Rich, there's nothing shameless about it. It's great to see your enthusiasm as Ham's to do whatever it takes to recruit new people into our great hobby.

Joe KB3PHL

 

Yep....looks like a SPLENDID place to take a ham radio exam

https://www.google.com/search?q=rad...%2FMount_Washington_(New_Hampshire);2272;1704

 

I can F-L-Y!

Ah yes, MOST splendid!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FM3SS-tj6I

73
Chip W1YW

 

I'm looking forward to becoming a future VEC. And if i had the certification and the extra money would jump at the chance most certainly just because this is why amateur radio needs true hams, not just for the fame, the contest or anything related to amateur radio but we need people who love the service of ham radio to their local communities and anywhere ham radio is needed which is EVERYWHERE!

 

Rich and Marcia, I really wish I could be there just to carry your supplies - your own mule!!! (I'm not a VE, its the only thing I could do to help!!) - It looks to be one heck of a place and I am very envious! You guys are AWESOME! Keep up the great work and I hope there is someone out there that can help...

Very 73/Scott

 

can't help...wish I could...sounds like a great opportunity. 73 from a fellow Wellesley ham! Greg WA2EHV/1

 

Hello Rich & Marcia,

Unfortunately I can't help be a VEC living several hundred miles down the Interstate Highway System but I'm very surprised that you haven't contacted the American Radio Relay League's Headquarters as this organization has been right at the forefront of bringing the new Amateur Radio Operators into this hobby. They can be contacted at VEC@arrl.org and the contact person is Marcia Somma. I believe this is where I would start since they are right out on the eastcoast in Newington, CT. I wish you two the Best of Luck and Quit Making Those Snow Angels as you might catch your death!

73,

Dan
WA9WVX
Elgin, Illinois

 

Enjoy your "moderate" two mile hike. To wit:

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=mount+washington+nh

 

I'd be happy tyo do it. nJust cover round trip first class traveling expense. $2,500 dollars fee and all expenses paid,.

 

Well did you find someone to walk uphill in the snow for 2 miles, or did you have to reschedule?