Making a difference one Summit Cookie at a time or was it that slow cooker filled with garbage soup ingredients that wafted sweet smells up the spiral tower stairs into the Mount Washington Observatory’s (MWOBS) weather operations?
The sunrise shadow of Mount Washington peaking over the MWOBS deck
Nimbus headed down from the weather station fur he heard dinner was ready
I learned about MWOBS in 2011 a few days before my first 4,000 footer hike in the White Mountain National Forest.
We must continue to Protect & Preserve our Public Lands
Back then, to this gal, it was simply a tool I’d use to check the higher-summit forecast.
Today, it’s a passion that’s seeded deeply within my soulful being.
To some, that might be overly corny but for those of us who adventure within terrain that has experienced some of the most impressive & intense weather it’s critical and honestly habitual.
The weather modeling & research that happens is constant within the belly of MWOBS’ operation.
They operate 24/7 atop of Mount Washington and that doesn’t include the ongoing work by staff and volunteers in the valley below.
If you’re like me, you may not have known what it takes to run up a mountain (oh wait that was a different event on the auto road a few years back). Running any non-profit smoothly takes dedication by hearty individuals that transcend an array ages and skill sets. Also, insert the mere fact that an intrinsic key aspect was built on top of an iconic mountain that has limited accessibility adding an entirely different set of challenges.
My name is Kally, some of you may have seen me promoting Seek the Peak as a Trail Steward the past couple of years for MWOBS but if the truth were to be told my role was minuscule compared to the rest of the hearty souls who dedicate themselves to an organization working to continue science in the mountains.
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Hank Dresch and
Linda Denis at my start of the
25th Anniversary of Seek the Peak this past July
Being a volunteer for a full week, living in the same quarters nestled above 6,000 feet, preparing meals, working in the gift shop, cleaning the Extreme Weather Museum, greeting & hosting MWOBS guests with hot coffee, teas, treats and of course hoping fur Nimbus purrs is unlike any other.
The week starts promptly on Wednesday’s at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road where we meet-up with the crew heading up for shift change. Typically, there is a staff of three full-time and two interns, two volunteers and during the open season there’s also a staff member running the gift shop.
When the van is loaded with all of our gear, groceries, equipment I don’t know the use for but I’m making a note to ask questions later, we begin the ascent up twists & turns littered with amazing views around each bend as the van with a specially designed transmission climbs higher in elevation; our ride to the summit is filled with anticipation.
Off loading gear, putting away groceries, scanning the massive walk-in pantry of its extensive kitchen equipment and scrumptious supplies, finding the enormous deep freezer fully stocked; the possibilities are as vast as the view from Mr. 6,288 on a clear day. It’s time to prep tonight’s culinary feast & think about the upcoming week of meals to create.
It’s all business when you volunteer for this gig.
OK, ya’ caught me that’s a lie!
But there is no shortage of work that needs to be accomplished and you literally hit the ground running as the volunteers who are departing off-load tips, tricks & tasks you’ll face during your week.
Each day, like the weather, can be very different so like hikers who re-check the MWOBS higher-summit forecast I refer back to emails received before our week and cross-reference with the team about guests we’d be hosting, their dietary needs and any sleeping accommodations.
Prepping slop is not an option for this gal & I say that with my whimsical voice because sometimes a creation simply doesn’t formulate into the dish you desired; it’s kind of like a weather event that didn’t manifest itself exactly like early models predicted.
That’s the interesting thing about the climate we’re living in. The models need to be constantly updated because of our environmental situation; new studies are performed to evaluate and collect data points. It's an ongoing journey through climate research from the most extreme weather station in the United States. Feeling like student, a quest to learn, it was a treat to be among those who are performing cutting-edge studies that are vital in the face of climate change.
The day we arrived it was warm, calm, still & super dry (around 8% humidity).
That evening we were treated to a sunset that had us all outside watching as the air barely moved & a nighttime sky that promised to star studded.
Looking up and seeing the big dipper is like seeing cairns along a hiking trail.
A guide, a compass, a direction, a path to follow through the hallows of life.
Wrapped in the cloak of darkness & the still of nearly a windless night I found a spot that captured both immediately etching a deeply profound feeling across my heart.
The MWOBS tower aglow under the Big Dipper
Clichés are timeless albeit a sliver cheesy but still I heard faint words whispered in the stars.
Symbols of beauty, wonder & mystery as they ignite inner curiosity & as my gaze sweeps across the Milky Way I can’t help but think of how truly small we are in this universe.
Beautiful is the luminescent energy of nature, an almost spiritual connection to my soul has this iconic summit at 6,288 feet.
I had Mr. 6,288 all to myself as I first sat under the summit sign the silence wrapped itself around me. I embraced it and decided to lie flat, as one can on all of the exposed rocks, and lazily stared up into the sky for a very long time. The sound that broke the stillness was the MWOBS observation door opening as another hourly set of data was to be collected.
Enjoying the summit of Mt. Washington under the cloak of darkness
A romance with the mountains under a moonless crisp star filled night, it’s extremely difficult to tear yourself away & say goodnight.
Finally, it was time, I decided to head back in leaving an almost moonless night to dance across the Mount Washington Observatory.
The air was warm to the touch & eerily dry so I took my time as I walked across the observation deck letting my mind wonder what the sunrise would have in store.
Awakening pre-dawn, I knew what my day had in store. Guests nearing a dozen of fellow Seek the Peak (STP) volunteers would be joining us for lunch and a tour but my first order of business was to go back outside. I sat with a cup of coffee on the edge of a rock placed here oh so long ago, like a perch, my window into nature’s soul I quietly waited for her stretch & yawn.
Sunrise with 75+ miles of visibility
A new day of tasks has begun.
Nimbus, the chief kitchen supervisor makes an appearance when I start opening cans. I know his puurest desire while he stands there keeping a keen kitty-eye on this gal. He’s making sure I'm diligent to avoid food allergies and tummy sensitivity; this is something taken very seriously while crafting meals with everyone in mind.
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Nimbus, chief kitchen supervisor
When the lively STP group arrived I eagerly re-introduced myself as chef, volunteer for the week with my husband, Eric, and of course fellow STP connoisseur. It was a lively group that sat around the table sharing a meal prepared in their honor. “Garbage Soup” and a full-loaded veggie pasta salad were plated buffet style. After our meal I told them to go off and play, I'd be joining outside as soon as the dishes were cleared.
Winds had retuned in time for their summit and observatory tower visit which is exactly the kind of fun we'd wanted. My playful role of guest quickly ended as I promised to be in the gift shop to cover lunch in just a few minutes. Goodbyes were made with a gleeful see you next year at Seek the Peak; MWOBS largest annual fundraiser for this non-profit.
Creating meals is one major aspect of your time up here with the crew but it’s goes so much deeper … errr rather higher … working in the gift shop & chatting with hikers, COG riders that ascend from the west & those who drive the auto road from the east is simply the best.
I love to make connections as I share a moment with each of them, where they are from, what trail they hiked, surgically removing tags from stuffed Nimbus’ for the littler guests, encouraging folks to sign up for the MWOBS tour as they visit the summit of the mountain with the most epic weather recorded history.
Your days start to feel routine.
After our dinner with the entire crew, I insisted we leave the dishes as I dashed to the submarine door. The horizon was filled with colors as I gazed through the portal. With the hefty lever in my hand I lifted and pushed my way with Nimbus joining us.
Nimbus enjoying the sunset with us
Although my nighttime chores weren’t complete yet I pushed them aside for a tiny bit longer & I’m so happy I did!
Ya’ know the saying, “it’s a matter of perspective?” It’s completely true.
Scampering towards the east, opposite of the sunset, I lost my breath & it wasn’t because of the higher elevation.
The shadow of Mr. 6,288 was beaming across the horizon in all of his glory!
Shadow of Mount Washington to the east
The shadow of Mr. 6,288 behind the summit cairn
I’d never witnessed such a powerful blank space before but is that space truly empty is my wonder?!
I tore myself away, back inside to attend to the dinner dishes, knowing the night sky would call me back outside soon enough.
The night sky called & it didn’t disappoint with light pollution still filtering in from the towns way below but Oy Vey what a beautiful show.
Tucking in for the night I set my alarm for the sun would have his way with me too all too soon.
Sunrise, sunset, star filled skies … who has time to rest!!
Sun setting in the horizon
One of my favorite spots to snap pictures with the
northern presidential & observatory tower
There was this one moment in puurticular, as I took a momentary rest on the couch in the living quarters, I reached for the nearest throw blanket & within just a few moments I had a cat by the name of Nimbus on it too. Later in the week, while cleaning our shared space and setting to vacuum I moved Nimbus' blanket to find one of his whiskers (fur which I've kept).
Nimbus whisker
Awake but barely I entered the day before the sun illuminated the Atlantic only 75 ish miles away. One a clear day, with the sun rising you can actually see it glinting on the open ocean water.
A loop I’d make, some of my favorite spots to snap a couple of images but in my tracks I stopped as my smile grew.
That shadow of Mr. 6,288 I’d seen across the east just last evening was now making his majestic presence across the western horizon. Seriously, it was pretty spectacular to see the east & west shadows back to back; another cliché "timing is everything" is apropos.
On my way back across the observatory deck, I really needed to get my days chores underway, I caught his shadow adjacent to the tower so I lingered a mountain gentle breeze a bit longer.
It was a bit chilly as I scampered outside for sunrise ~ catching the shadow of Mount Washington across the western horizon
Shadow of Mr. 6,288 adjacent to the MWOBS tower
Since we were volunteering on Autumn Equinox I decided to bake some fall themed cookies. The crew all at their work stations and the kitchen to myself I started selecting ingredients. Enlisting the hefty Kitchen Aid made this endeavor a lot easier. I love working within the MWOBS kitchen, it's kind of like my backpack; it literally has everything you’ll need.
The kitchen, the quarters, the equipment, the van, literally everything is made possible for this non-profit by generous donations in the monetary form as well as in-kind.
My biggest fear in the MWOBS kitchen is baking, the elevation can wreak havoc if you aren’t diligent.
Unlike my usual MO of diligently following blazes I intentionally went off trail … errr rather off recipe for these “Summit Cookies”.
Knowing the foundation was solid I allowed latitude aka a hap-hazard care free attitude that I hoped wouldn’t turn into a kitchen disaster as I kept pulling yummy ingredients off the shelf.
Into the mixer went oats, dark brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla, semi-sweet chips, cinnamon, flour, eggs, butter, kosher salt, raisins & the final touch some shredded coconut that reminded me of snow as some of it splattered over the rim not unlike the rime ice that will soon encapsulate the entire summit & all of the observatory equipment.
Weeeeee! Seeking Summit Cookies
This whimsical double batch creation became “Summit Cookies” & I eagerly shared with the staff hoping they met expectations.
To my delight, I think they were a hit as the number left dwindled overnight.
Summit Cookies
It was shared with us, as well as on the MWOBS higher-summit forecast that we’d get into some higher winds, even a bit more interesting than we'd experienced the day before bringing with it much needed moisture but not necessarily from rain but rather wet fast moving foggy soggy clouds.
Grabbing the steel door firmly, that literally came from a submarine, I was immediately blasted with clouds that covered my glasses in fog laced wetness & winds that pushed 70+ MPH!
With hands holding on tight I made the last few rungs up the observatory tower into blustery winds.
To experience this extreme weather is a treat but I truly hope folks who recreate in the higher summits stay vigilant, the exposure risk is no joke with the real feel that morning was ducking just above freezing.
Speaking of ducking, it was time to head back in to complete morning chores & prepare some hearty foods for the crew BUT first one more glance across this majestic horizon nestled waaay above the White Mountains … then … I caught a glance of … what is this anomaly called … I’d have to ask but first I wrapped my jacket a little tighter as I had to stay out in the elements a bit longer!!
I struggled to hold my cell phone still in the intensifying winds & get an image of this phenomenon; it truly was a unique sight to see first hand. The MWOBS tower in her glory against speeding clouds & foggy mist that crashed up over the mountainside illuminated by the sun.
This ghostly shadow has a rainbow ring that later I read is called “a glory”.
I love that fate or was it destiny had me standing above 6,288 feet with the sun shining brightly, fighting through the mist as I looked down at the cloud bank to see this … what I learned is called a Brocken Spectre.
Wow!
Woah!
Soooooo darn cool!
Moments like those, between chores & to-do lists, are relished and sandwiched as there are copious amounts of items the crew asks you to accomplish.
My routine was simple, I'd awake early so I could enjoy the morning's stillness. Even when it's blustery there is an aura of quiet that fills the building before guests arrive.
Each day, I'd start meal prep along with my breakfast. I'm a planner and believe flavors are heartier when they have an opportunity to meld.
After starting dinner I'd head over to the gift shop to assist in any shape possible which included running the gift shop while the MWOBS staff member took a break. There were hours filled with streams of people flowing through the shop and Extreme Museum. That was me asking folks “where are you kids from”, making unique connections as I’m a traveler to your home state, I loved wearing this hat for the week, MWOBS’ friendly face as you came down the staircase into my realm.
Turkey dinner anyone?
Absolutely!
There were two dressings made, some call it stuffing, one full of gluten while the other was hand crafted of GF cubed bread infused with onion, celery, seasonings and some savory apple too. Gravy for those who indulged was slowly whisked and of course desert was medium spiced pumpkin pie with homemade whipped cream puurfectly purrfected as Nimbus had joined me in the kitchen earlier & incessantly mewwwed for a sample.
Absolutely!
There were two dressings made, some call it stuffing, one full of gluten while the other was hand crafted of GF cubed bread infused with onion, celery, seasonings and some savory apple too. Gravy for those who indulged was slowly whisked and of course desert was medium spiced pumpkin pie with homemade whipped cream puurfectly purrfected as Nimbus had joined me in the kitchen earlier & incessantly mewwwed for a sample.
The problem for Nimbus is that he doesn’t get hooman food so a kitty treat had to do instead.
As the whipped cream neared puurfection it reminded me of snow capped peaks I’m certain will be seeing in just a couple of short weeks.
Nimbus & I want to remind you, those who like to recreate in our beloved White Mountain National Forest, the lower elevation & especially the higher elevation to always, 𝑨𝑳𝑾𝑨𝒀𝑺, check the MWOBS furcast & to be prepared for the unexpected.
This tail of mine while volunteering for this non-profit wasn't over just yet as we had another day plus to invest ourselves in this unique weather observatory nest.
The night was completely foggy so I decided to get a little rest.
A week may seem like a long time but it flies past so quickly with everything happening about. The crew encourages you to also find time to enjoy your stay at the summit and trust me we certainly wedged it in.
One of our last sunsets was unique on its own as the observers came in and shared that there were Virga clouds about so I quickly joined them outside our bunker door to see what the fuss was about.
Not knowing what they were I asked them to explain as I gazed once again upon the northern prezis; that view never gets old!
A Virga, also called a dry storm, is an observable streak or shaft of precipitation that evaporates or sublimates before reaching the ground.
Ohhhh… I’ve seen this atmospheric happening before but never knew its name.
Some have described its appearance like a jellyfish floating across the sky, trails that hang down like tentacles from a clump or layer of a cloud, waving gently not in the ocean currents but up in the atmosphere.
I thought out loud, Summit Cookies for weather knowledge is a decent fair trade wouldn’t you agree?
I strongly believe that volunteerism is what make the world go round.
Did you know that YOU can make a difference as well and become a donor to this non-profit or even more better would to become a member.
Membership is the fuel that powers Mount Washington Observatory.
Membership is the fuel that powers Mount Washington Observatory.
In addition to advancing weather & climate science on Mount Washington, you’ll receive member benefits, which are designed to keep you informed about your impact as part of the MWOBS community.
Here is the link to become a member:
Did you know that you can order your very own Nimbus socks made here in Ashland, New Hampshire?!
Yup, it's a puurfect match.
You should click on this link & get your pair!
Our last morning, I was admittedly a bit sad, walking across the observatory deck, standing on the summit of Mr. 6,288, was one to remember as an impressive undercast hid the rest of the world away under her thick layer of fluffiness.
If you puurhaps squint or just trust me ... there is a hole in that impressive undercast in the shape of a heart!
One of my early morning walk-about as the sun illuminated the sky
Alone on the summit at sunset
The submarine door to the outside world
The final morning as a volunteer, I witnessed an impressive undercast that was hidden by a light cloud that socked in the summit; the ever changing weather observed by this gal.
One morning, before I went outside & climbed the observatory tower, I was visited by the one & only Nimbus the MWOBS summit cat in the kitchen while pouring my cup o’ joe.
Nimbus sat staring up at me with his sleepy kitty eyes so I stopped what I was doing & asked “do you want upsies little buddy”? We'd been practicing during the week and I think this little guy might actually remember me from last year's week long stay too; I’m going with that theory anyway!
Placing my hands over his soft gray fur I enveloped him into a snuggly tight gentle squeeze as I cradled Nimbus up next to my ear while his intense purring commenced. Talking to him as I scratched his ears I shared I’d be back next season.
My viewing of this last morning’s sunrise atop of the mountain with the highest wind speed ever recorded & intense weather events was briefly interrupted by fog the wrapped itself around everything, including me, but holding fast I continued my stay patiently waiting for nature’s morning show.
The sky was constantly changing as the day was under way & so was I.
This gal was giddy with excitement when the winds howl & the undercast met
Eric, standing on a section of the AT near the summit
Standing hand & hand Eric and I enjoyed the windless night under the star filled sky one night while volunteering for MWOBS
All packed up for our return to the base of Mount Washington we drove down the auto road in one of the observatory vans while all of us anxiously awaited seeing what colors popped while we were well above tree line this past week; leaf peeping season was in an early full swing.
It’ll take a bit to acclimate to life again below 6,000 feet for a piece of my heart was left above with the Mount Washington Observatory staff & Nimbus too.
A quiet moment shared with Nimbus late afternoon after the last summit guest had left
Summit Cookies
Ingredients (double batch - makes roughly 48)
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. kosher salt
2 cup (4 sticks) salted butter and make certain it's soft (it's best to prepare this the night before whereas you set it aside in a bowl so it's softness doesn't slather your fingers when you unwrap them)
2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar - your choice you are making these cookies
1 cup granulated sugar
4 tsp. vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
4 large eggs
5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cup golden raisins or craisins or a fun mixture of both
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 generous cup shaved coconut
1 cup nuts ... sometimes you feel like adding them & sometimes we simply don't so you decide if crumbles of walnuts should be added to this Summit Cookie baking fun
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously butter or spray four large baking sheets
In a large bowl you'll whisk together like a snow storm easing into the horizon flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set this aside we'll need it like one of the 10 essentials you always keep in your pack.
In an even larger bowl, preferably a handy-dandy stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the salted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy.
Next you'll beat in the vanilla, eggs (pre-mix with a fork in a small bowl before adding each. Continue to safely navigate this cookie terrain by scraping the bowl.
Reduce the speed to low and gradually add flour mixture. It's going to get a bit messy but keep on mixing until combined.
You can gently fold in the oats, raisins, chips, coconut and if you're so inclined those walnuts by hand or simply go for it and continue to use that mixer like I did.
Now it's the fun part!!
Scoop dough into roughly 1 1/2-tablespoon balls then give them a little smush as you place on your pre-lubed baking sheets.
You'll want to allow for space because as they bake they'll get bigger.
Set a timer for 10 minutes to check these Summit Cookies o' goodness. They may mislead as to their doneness so don't step away. Crunchy or soft baked is a thin line like terrain you see on a map.
If you don't posses a wire rack let them stay until cooled on the sheets. When I stored these I added a damp paper towel to keep them soft(er) but a pro-tip shared with me while on the summit was if you place a cookie in the microwave for no more than 10 seconds with a damp towel it'll bring back the softness. However, I did find that cookie crunchy seemed to be the summit preference.
Here’s what you’ll need to make Kal's Garbage Soup:
But first - if you don’t have these ingredients don’t you fret because this soup never comes out the same way twice.
Grab your crockpot or slow cooker
You'll want to prepare this soup the evening before you want to serve it so that the flavors have a chance to meld together overnight.
1 large onion
Several large carrots sliced or a bag of frozen carrots will do
Several celery stalks cut into larger chunks
Fresh crushed garlic but if that isn't available simply use the spice
2 large cans of diced tomatoes or you can use those from your garden that you've been wondering what to add them into (I used a mixture of both)
Green beans - you can use fresh, canned or frozen and the volume is entirely up to you
1 can of corn or ample from the freezer will do
1 can of spinach or an entire bag of frozen
1 can each of navy beans and cannellini beans
1 large container of vegetable broth
Spices are yours to play with - what's your flair?
Bay leaves, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, tarragon and there's never enough thyme
Optional is a very small pasta like little shells, or ditalini. Add them directly from the box to the mixture - do not cook ahead of time. I didn't use pasta because we had guests that were GF so I simply skipped them.
Honestly, I took a look around the MWOBS pantry for ingredients and started adding them knowing that they'd dance nicely together creating a melody of flavor on a blustery cool day Seek the Peak volunteers would hopefully say "more please" as they finished their first bowls of Kal's Garbage Soup I created with love because after all volunteers are what make the world go round.
The next item up on the menu was decided when a bunch of hearty engineers plan to visit the MWOBS operations and request lunch I immediately decided to pull together a variation of a slow-cooked chili my mom used to make.
Chili with Altitude
Ingredients (add them all to the slow-cooker):
2 lbs. cooked and strained ground beef (you can use stew meat if you'd prefer)
1 large onion copped into large pieces (do NOT cook with beef but add directly into the crockpot or slow-cooker
Ample fresh garlic if on hand or a couple of shakes of the dried spice instead (we aren't chasing vampires later so don't overdue the garlic)
2 tablespoons of chili power
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon cumin
several shakes of white pepper
2 large cans of diced tomatoes (you can use the kind with extra flair with green chilis if you have them on hand and your eaters like some extra heat)
1 small can tomato paste
Note: use a little water to rinse these cans and add directly into the cooker; yup add it into the mix!
1 large can dark red kidney beans
1 large can light kidney beans
Optional ingredients are:
ample uncooked small-ish cubes of sweet potato
decent sized chunks of red, yellow or orange peppers (do not use green - the flavor doesn't play well in this gal's opinion).
After all of the tasty ingredients have been added give it a gentle stir then simply cover, set on high for a few hours.
Once it's cooking set to low and let the flavors do their job and infuse into each other. You'll find after hours overnight, turned off, set aside on the counter, in the morning, the flavor is as enjoyable as reading the MWOBS higher-summit forecast.
Growing up we served our chili over a bowl of rice so that's what I prepared for this group of summit visitors along with amply shredded cheese.
When they ate this hearty lunch I wasn't in the kitchen but off doing my other volunteer gig working in the MWOBS gift shop for a few hours but when I arrived back thankfully only a few spoonful's were left for this gal to enjoy and I gotta say it brought back memories of being a kid when we'd come in after a day of playing and this was ready for us to dig into.
Looking down the observatory spiral staircase that is our main egress.
With this last image taken it was time to say a final goodbye, until next time that is because being a volunteer for this group we'll most certainly seek again.
