FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Crane, Director of Programs
(800) 706-0432 x 203
It's no secret that many New Englanders, especially outdoor
enthusiasts, are yearning for winter. An unusually warm January, and locally low snow levels, have some folks wondering where winter has gone. To find it, you need look no farther than New Hampshire's Mount Washington.
Weather observers at the Mount Washington Observatory, located atop the northeast's highest peak, report that winter weather can still be found on that mountain's summit. We've seen temperatures down to 30 below zero Fahrenheit, and there's a chance we'll see some colder
readings before winter departs, notes observer Neil Lareau. He
comments, though January was much less cold than normal, still our monthly average temperature was only 16 degrees Fahrenheit.
But cold temperatures are only part of the story. Mount Washington is known for its remarkable winds, and one day in January saw winds that averaged 105 miles per hour, and peaked at 142 miles per hour. Almost half the days of January saw winds of hurricane force or greater, adds Lareau.
While some skiers, boarders, and other snow enthusiasts are longing for more of the white stuff, Lareau says that the Observatory has recorded almost 20 feet of snow this season. While a good amount of that arrived in October, and disappeared in late autumn, even without the excessive snows of October the season's snowfall total would be above normal.
For individuals who want more of cold, wind, and snow, the Observatory offers overnight educational trips, called "EduTrips", which allow participants to experience Mount Washington's summit and to learn more about particular topics related to the mountain environment. According to Peter Crane, Director of Programs for the Observatory, admittedly, the EduTrips aren't for everyone. You do need to be in good health and good condition, and to be clothed and equipped for severe weather. But if your idea of a good time includes a mountain adventure and an opportunity to learn - and if you need a shot of wintry weather - these trips are for you.
Crane notes that the EduTrip program has several trips scheduled for mid-March to mid-April which is still a wintry time on the mountain, according to the record books. The mercury can fall below zero, heavy snowstorms can assail the summit, and high winds can hammer the peak. In fact, the highest wind ever recorded on earth, a remarkable 231 miles per hour, was measured on Mount Washington on April 12, 1934," he says.
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Chris Lewey's programs, entitled 'The Ecology of Mount Washington', will take place at the Observatory's weather station, located at the summit of the 6,288 foot mountain. The program is designed for anyone with a keen interest in the mountain environment. The program leader, well-known naturalist Chris Lewey, has offered such programs on the mountain for many years. He'll be sharing his knowledge and experiences learning more about how unusual vegetation and hardy creatures, birds, mammals, and even insects - can survive in the harsh conditions so typically found on Mount Washington and nearby high peaks. Topics discussed will also include the significance of underlying geology and mountain weather in providing a background and challenge to living things in the mountain woodlands and especially in the lofty 'alpine zone'.Lewey notes that even though the Observatory provides transportation to and from the summit for its trip participants, the trip participants still need to be in very good physical shape and properly clothed and equipped for the mountain's extremes, a precaution that Mount Washington's severe weather always demands. Mount Washington is known as "The Home of the World's Worst Weather", with sub-zero temperatures, super-hurricane winds, and blinding snowstorms a regular occurrence during the winter months, making even normal travel potentially very strenuous.
The Mount Washington Observatory is a private, non-profit member- supported organization. Its mission is to maintain a permanently- staffed weather station atop the northeast's tallest peak and to
observe and report on weather conditions year-round, conduct scientific research programs and advance public knowledge of the unique meteorology, natural sub-arctic environment and human history of the White Mountain region. For more information on the Observatory and its EduTrip program, please call 1-800-706-0432 x 203
or visit
www.mountwashington.org |
Join Chris Lewey and his staff as they journey north of the border for an adventure you won't want to miss. Our destination is Quebec City, a cultural jewel set on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. As winter gives way to spring, and the landscape shifts from white to muted colors, the snow geese stop here before the final leg of their northward migration. Thousands of these stately white birds cover the St. Lawrence and its banks, their biannual staging grounds.
While we will have a chance to witness this spectacle and see these birds up close, we will also have ample opportunity to experience the culture and history of Quebec City.
We depart early on Friday morning from North Conway, NH, and travel by motor coach to Quebec City. Soon after our arrival we will enjoy a tour of the city. Following our tour we will dine in one of the city's finest restaurants.
On Saturday, we will visit Cap Tormente Wildlife Refuge to observe the geese and possibly some other early migrants, and if we have time, we will visit the famous Basilica of Ste. Anne de Beaupre and Montmorency Falls.
On Saturday night we will savor some of the cultural and culinary delights of Quebec. Join us on Sunday morning for an early bird walk along the heights of the old city or pursue your own interests. Maybe you would like to indulge in the unbelievable brunch at the famous Chateau Frontenac, walk the Plains of Abraham, or perhaps you would like to visit the quaint shops of Vieux Quebec, before we board our coach for our return trip to New Hampshire.
Our hotel is in the heart of the old city, our pace is easy, yet productive, and there are numerous possibilities for exploration and new adventures! We hope that you'll join us for this fantastic weekend of birding and fun. We will need a prompt response to assure your participation. |
Cost of this trip is $380. per person based on double occupancy and includes:
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motor coach transportation
accommodations for two nights
leadership
two continental breakfasts
picnic lunch Friday and Saturday
guided city tour
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entrance fees
There are a limited number of single rooms available at a supplemental cost of $95. If you are a single traveler and would like a roommate, we will attempt to accommodate you. If you have any questions about the trip or the area, please give us a call or email. Detailed joining instructions and further information will be sent to registered participants prior to trip date.
For those wishing to stay in North Conway on the night(s) before and/or after the trip we have arranged for a discounted room to be available at The White Mountain Hotel and Resort (our departure/return location) located off the West Side Road at Hale's Location. Inquire for details. |
Spring on Monhegan is truly an experience long to be remembered. An exquisite blend of geography, history, and remoteness lays the foundation for a unique setting of wildflowers and birds. Varied interests can easily be satisfied by a visit to this small island ten miles off the coast of Maine. Named by Indians meaning "island of the sea", Monhegan is well known among Eastern birders as one of the finest "migrant traps" in New England. Uncommon species of birds are sited regularly on the island. The small oval island is bounded on the north and east by rocky cliffs 160 feet above the sea, on the south by many small coves, and on the west by the village. Our stay will allow ample time to explore all the diverse habitats on the island.
We will depart New Harbor, ME for our cruise to Monhegan Island aboard the "Hardy." This trip of approximately one hour will provide us with an opportunity to see some of the coastal species of wildlife, including several species of birds and possibly a porpoise or whale. After lunch on the Island, we'll start exploring some of the traditional birding spots around the village, including the lighthouse and "ice pond." Bring your cameras for this afternoon stroll!
Sunday - we will explore the various habitats and noted landmarks on the Island including White Head, the Cathedral Woods Trail, Lobster Cove, and Burnt Head. A mid-day picnic lunch will be enjoyed on the cliffs high overlooking the ocean or in a remote cove at the waters edge. Our ample time will provide us with the opportunities to study many birds up close in their breeding plumage.
We'll be able to see different aged gulls in flight (and quite possibly Peregrine Falcons) as they ride the updrafts over the cliffs, watch warblers as they attempt to avoid Merlins dashing by the lighthouse, and also investigate some of the wonderful wildflowers that are abundant at this time.
Once participants get their bearings, there will be some free time to explore on their own or revisit an area that may already have become a favorite spot, or possibly browse the artists' studios.
Monday - After some early birding about the village, we'll return to the Inn for breakfast. Following breakfast we will head for the dock for a short cruise to Eastern Egg Rock, the most southern nesting site of the Atlantic Puffin with hopes of seeing this year's nesting colony starting their season. We'll return to Monhegan for some free time and further explorations before boarding the "Hardy" for our afternoon trip back to the mainland.
Monhegan Island - A Down East Adventure is designed for participants with various interests and experience in natural history. For the beginning naturalists, skills in bird identification and wildflower "keys" will be introduced as well as general ecological principals which affect our awareness and our way of seeing things. The seasoned nature buff will appreciate a closer look at the interrelations and behavior of the species we encounter as well as the unique attributes of a small coastal Island.
There is an ample amount of walking involved in exploring the Island, and many of the trails are somewhat rocky. For those folks that don't wish to go on the longer excursions, the village is a comfortable and enjoyable place to spend some time.
The accommodations on Monhegan are rustic. There are only a few vehicles on the Island used only for transportation of luggage and supplies from the boat to the hotels. There is much walking and some hiking and some early morning birding. Electricity on the Island is kept to a minimum and a small personal flashlight is recommended.
This is a tentative schedule subject to change. |
There is very limited area for smoking on the Island due to the danger of fire. If you look on these as attributes rather than inconveniences, then this just might be the trip for you.
This is an informal, relaxed trip. Please come prepared to take your time enjoying the birding at a comfortable pace with leisurely meals. Bring comfortable clothing, and be prepared for possible cool and/or wet weather.
Cost of the trip from New Harbor is $380 and includes:
- boat transportation from New Harbor, ME
- accommodations for two nights
- leadership fees
- two breakfasts
- picnic lunches Saturday and Sunday
- puffin watching boat cruise!
We need to know right away if you plan to participate in this popular trip so that we may hold the rooms we have reserved.
We hope you will join us for this exciting Down East adventure. There are a limited number of single rooms available at a supplemental cost of $95. If you are a single traveler and would like a roommate, we will attempt to accommodate you.
If you have any questions about the trip or the area, please give us a call. Detailed joining instructions and further information will be sent to registered participants prior to trip date. We will need a prompt response to assure your participation. |
