Top 10 Amazing Facts about Mount Washington

Mount Washington, Oregon, as seen from the east By Lyn Topinka, USGS – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Mount Washington

As the highest peak in the northeastern united states, Mount Washington is notorious for erratic and extreme weather. The mountain attracts tourists and hikers every year due to its extreme weather and its rich history. But not much is known about this amazing mountain.

Here are 10 amazing facts about the famed Mount Washington

1. It was named after George Washington by chance

The Native Americans who occupied the area named the mountain Agiocochook (or Agiochook) as it was thought to be the home of the Great Spirit. The mountain was discovered by Giovanni da Verrazano who was the first European to see it from the waters off New Hampshire’s seacoast, in 1524.

However, in July 1874 it was given its current name, Mt. Washington, after George Washington. General Washington was not yet appointed as president when the mountain has designated the name. The mountain was given in his honor after Manasseh Cutler was quoted saying, “the base of the summit of Mount Washington,” and this led to the name being born.

2. The highest wind speed was recorded here

Mount Washington By Famartin – Wikimedia Commons

Mount Washington, New Hampshire has held the world record for the fastest wind gust ever recorded on the surface of the Earth. Moreover, on April 12, 1934, weather observers at the summit of Mount Washington recorded wind speeds that no one else on Earth has ever witnessed. 

It was here that the highest wind speed of  231 mph on the surface of the Earth made Mount Washington famous. It continues to hold the record for the fastest surface wind measured in the Northern and Western Hemispheres.

3. A nonprofit organization was opened for research on the mountain

The Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit research and educational institution working to advance understanding of Earth’s weather and climate. The weather observation station is located on the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire.

The Observatory’s mission is to advance understanding of the natural systems that create the Earth’s weather and climate, by maintaining its mountaintop weather station, conducting research and educational programs, and interpreting the heritage of the Mount Washington region.

The first regular meteorological observations on Mount Washington were conducted by the U.S. Signal Service, a precursor of the Weather Bureau, from 1870 to 1892. The Mount Washington station was the first of its kind in the world, setting an example followed in many other countries Some of the observatory buildings are secured to the summit with chains to keep them from blowing away

4. You can see several states from the mountain

View from Mount Washington Peak, Gorham, New By Robert Linsdell – Wikimedia Commons

Being the highest point in northeastern America, it is possible to see into five different states on a clear day from the mountain. With favorable weather, one can spot the states of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York. In addition, it is also possible to look into Canada. On the clearest days, observers can see as far as Mount Marcy in New York State, 134 miles to the west.

5. The first ascent to the mountain was in 1632

Mount Washington’s first recorded ascent was by Darby Field and two Abenaki Indian guides in June 1632.  F.O. Stanley and his wife, Flora, drove an automobile to the top of Mount Washington on august 31st 1899. they became the first humans to make this journey by car. 

It took two hours and 10 minutes (not including stops to add water) to get to the top. In early June 1642 after a journey of 18 days, Darby Field from Oyster River (now Durham) and one or two unnamed Native Americans made the first documented ascent to the summit of Mount Washington.

On the way up the mountain, Field was at first accompanied by a larger group of Native Americans, but the rest stopped partway, telling him that no Indian had ever climbed to the top and that “he would die if he went.”

6. It is known as the place with the most extreme weather in the world

The lowest recorded temperature at the summit was -47 degrees Fahrenheit; the highest was +72 degrees. Mount Washington holds the world record for the highest wind gust observed by man, at 231 mph (372 km/h), recorded on April 12, 1934.

The average temperature on the summit is 26.5 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 C), and winds average 35.3 miles per hour (56.8 kmh). The summit gets about 42 feet of snow per year, and typically sees snowfall every month of the year — though it melts quickly in the summer.

7. The Mount Washington Observatory had a connection to the Civil War period

 When the Army signal service occupied the summit from 1879–1892. The nonprofit group operates the observatory, runs the Weather Discovery Center at its headquarters. Harsh-weather product testing for sponsors was conducted including catalog retailer L.L. Bean, Backpacker magazine, and Eastern Mountain Sports.

The testing, government grants, a retail store, and observatory memberships support its programs

8. The Auto Road on Mt. Washington is considered the nation’s first man-made tourist attraction.

Mount Washington Auto Road entrance By I, Malber- Wikimedia Commons

In 1861, when the Mount Washington Auto Road opened as a carriage road, The fastest climb up Mt. Washington Auto Road was done in 2017.

Travis Pastrana His race up the Mount Washington Auto Road was done in just 5 minutes, 44.72 seconds from the base to the summit

9. The mount Washington Observatory works under harsh conditions

he Stage Building atop Mount Washington (New Hampshire) chained down and covered in rime frost By No machine-readable author provided. BenFrantzDale – Wikimedia Commons

The Mount Washington Observatory has been staffed continuously since 1932, with the exception of a brief evacuation in February 2004 northeastern due to a fire.

Summit staff work 12-hour shifts in eight-day cycles. Typically shifts change on Wednesday, although severe weather conditions sometimes force a change. They do not shower while working atop the mountain.

10. There is a museum called  Mt. Washington Museum in the mountains honor

Extreme Mount Washington Exhibit By Roller Coaster Philosophy – Wikimedia Commons

Located 6,288 feet above sea level and eight miles from anywhere, the museum is perched atop a mountain known as the “home of the world’s worst weather.” Bitter temperatures, high winds, remarkable snow and incredible ice engulf the peak from late October to mid-May. Summer is the only time the peak is accessible by vehicle, and the only time construction work can be performed.

However, summer is also the mountain’s peak tourist season. Mount Washington Observatory’s mountaintop museum welcomes more than 100,000 visitors each summer, making it the most trafficked museum in the entire state of New Hampshire. It’s not the kind of place you can just close for construction.