Frequently Asked Questions

What is Seek the Peak?
It is the annual summer fundraiser for the non-profit Mount Washington Observatory, where hikers from across the region and beyond hit the trail in support of the "Obs". Hikers solicit contributions from friends, family and coworkers beforehand, hike the mountain on the day of the event and celebrate at our awards party, with great food, music, fun and prizes.

Where is the kick-off party?
The Friday evening STP kick-off is at the Flatbread Pizza Company from 5 - 8 PM. It is located at the Eastern Slope Inn, directly across from the Observatory's Weather Discovery Center in North Conway Village. Here, you can turn in any remaining donations, pick up your goodie bags and t-shirts, catch up with old Seek the Peak friends and enjoy great food and drink. While dinner is not provided as part of Seek the Peak, Flatbread has great food and we encourage you to join us!

Do you have to be an Observatory member to hike?
No, anyone can participate. All hikers are encouraged to create a Seek the Peak pledge page, which begins with the creation of a MWO Web Account on our main website. You can do that by clicking "My Web Account" on any page at MountWashington.org. Anyone capable of the hike can participate, and are encouraged to select trails based on their ability.

Is it a guided hike?
No, STP participants hike on their own. However, many hikers create their own group of friends or family to hike with.

Is there a shuttle down from the summit?
No. Generally, hikers are responsible for getting themselves down. However, tickets for a ride down on a Mt. Washington Auto Road stage van may be available at the summit. For details, visit www.mtwashingtonautoroad.com.

Can children participate?
Yes, if they are capable of a long climb and have solid hiking experience. Every child is different and we encourage all parents to educate themselves about the mountain's notorious weather conditions before doing the hike.

What if it rains?
The event is held rain or shine, so be prepared for all conditions!

Can I bring a guest to the awards party?
Yes, tickets for non-hikers are $20 and can be purchased in advance on our Awards Bash Ticket Purchase page.

What do I do with cash and checks?
We encourage all hikers to mail all off-line financial contributions to the Observatory beforehand, preferably by July 15. Additional donations can certainly be collected, but mailing contributions to us before the event helps our staff manage this ever-growing event! Please do not mail cash. Many participants deposit cash gifts and send us one check, with the donors' names on a note.
Mail all contributions to:
Mount Washington Observatory
P.O.Box 2310
North Conway NH 03860

Who should the checks be made out to?
Please make checks payable to Mount Washington Observatory

How do these "off-line" gifts get reflected on my pledge page?
It's easy. Go to SeekThePeak.org and click "Create or Edit Your Hiker Page". Enter the amount in the field "amount raised offline".

Can my partner and I sign up as one person or team?
We'd rather that you register as individual hikers, but we can accomodate. However, for prize calculation, the total money that you raise will be divided by the number on the team. And, you will need to raise a minimum of $100 per person to receive goodie bags, t-shirts and admission to the kick-off party and awards bash.

How do I get one of those great hiker goodie bags?
STP goodie bags and t-shirts are guaranteed for the first 300 hikers that raise at least $100, either online, offline or both. To make sure you're among the first 300 people, register and start the fundraising process ASAP! Please submit your offline donations by July 15.

Can I just turn in all of my donations on Seek the Peak Saturday?
You can, but since we have no way of knowing how much you raised beforehand, there is no guarantee of a goodie bag and STP t-shirt. Plus, contributions turned in on the day of the event may not be able to be tallied up for the prizes and awards. As always, we will have someone at the trailhead collecting day-of contributions from 7:00 - 9:00 AM on the day of the event.

What's the best way to the summit? What's the best trail for a beginner?
We rely on our friends at the Appalachian Mountain Club for trail information. Research your trip beforehand on the AMC's website, or get trail advice from the AMC at the trailhead.

What if I can't make it to the summit?
Shhh. We won't tell! Kidding aside, always hike within your own limits and abilities. Hiking Mount Washington is a formidable challenge, even for seasoned hikers. However, with the right trail selection and the proper gear, it can be a great day for everyone. If you aren't able to do the summit hike, an AMC staff member at registration can help you select another great hike.

When can I start collecting pledge money?
Ready... set... go! You can start collecting donations right now!

Who can I speak to, if I have other questions?
We're here to help. Call MWO Events Coordinator Karen Hemeon at (800) 706-0432, ext. 230.