I am an avid nature enthusiast whose romance with the mountains began back in the early 90’s when I moved from New York to Arizona.  

Quickly I fell in love with the rugged landscape of the desert.  

I was invited to join Arizona’s Search & Rescue which provides assistance for individuals that were lost, injured, stranded or sadly even deceased while in the wilderness.

In 2001, we relocated back east to New Hampshire & started to explore the vast landscape of the Granite State.

The mystery of the Superstition Wilderness drew me into the realm of hiking & nowadays during the winter months you can find me back in the Valley of the Sun summiting the Flat Iron via Siphon Draw trail.

At the core, I’m just a gal who likes to adventure & explore our White Mountain region while using my unique voice to speak up & advocate for the protection of our public land and waterways.

Personally, I find mountains to be magical & mysterious but they can also prove to be an opponent in your own story that should never be underestimated.

There is immense beauty immersing yourself in nature & it isn’t just the view at the summit.

The trail meanders, the climb gets steep, your legs exerting energy, your heart pumping & somewhere along the journey you realize your inner strength you had all along.

Hiking can be about conquering & achieving goals but it’s also about shared moments in nature.

Methodically, I prepare before every hike, never underestimating the terrain.

MWOBS is a non-profit resource you can count on as you plan your hiking adventure.

No matter the season or what I may see down in the valley floor the MWOBS higher-summit forecast is always my go-to resource.

I’ve scampered up Mr. 6,288 as lovingly refer to Mt. Washington in all seasons and a host of weather elements.

I recognize the simple fact that conditions can deteriorate quickly so you always want to be prepared and better yet if the weather is looking to be adverse why not postpone that hike for another day; the mountain will always be there & we want you here.

As a live-in volunteer for MWOBS it has given me the unique opportunity to capture images of the iconic Obs weather tower, spend time with weather observers, scientist and interns living in the bunk house together, crafting scrumptious hearty meals, greeting visitors to the Extreme Museum, learning about cloud formations, climate change and weather patterns.

My favorite moments are awakening to a quiet summit before anyone arrives awaiting the sunrise, laying under the stars of the quiet night, playing in & respecting hurricane force winds and most notably was witnessing a Brocken Specter as I stood atop of the Obs tower.

As I plan this year’s Seek the Peak ascent, perhaps a trail I’ve traveled several times before or that one I’ve been dreaming of accomplishing, I accept the responsibility of carrying all of my essential gear.   

That balance in weight, never a burden on my back but a feeling of inner strength knowing I’m prepared.

None of this would be possible without financial support so I am humbly asking each of you to make a donation.

MWOBS operations are funded by charitable donations that events like Seek the Peak hike-a-thon delivers; plus puurhaps a few extra treats fur Nimbus too!

The weather forecast isn’t all MWOBS offers, it goes way beyond weather modeling.  

It is a leader in climate studies & education offering a host of science on the mountain topics that are continually made available for us to join via zoom to advance our knowledge.

You don’t have to hike with me on July 18th but if you are hiking in New Hampshire I encourage you to purchase a hike safe card; just in case you ever need a rescue.

I hope you’ll hike on over to the donate button and generously support an organization I deeply believe in.

I’ll be seeing you as I continue to help share awareness, highlight MWOBS mission and our own responsibility as outdoor enthusiasts.

My fundraising goal is high but respectable heck $6,288 resonates!!

Join me on this adventure via supporting the legendary non-profit Mount Washington Observatory by making a minimum tax deductible donation in the amount of $62.88

I also like to dabble in writing and have a blog about my volunteering atop Mt. Washington for MWOBS that you might be interested in reading as well as my own Ode to Mr. 6,288 you can find below.

https://adventurewithkal.blogspot.com/2024/08/giving-back.html

Ode to Mr. 6,288

Words I love to write, almost as much as this gal loves to hike, I crafted my “Ode to 6,288” that I hope you enjoy; here it goes:

Highest recorded wind gusts of 231 MPH & coldest wind chill a mere minus 109 degrees.

A pile of rocks, harshness you emit, not fable, urban legend or folk lore.

Visitors arrive galore via foot paths, your twisted roadway or even rail.

No matter the vessel it’s a challenging assent upwards as we scramble, ride or climb.

Met with bluebird skies or snowflakes, sideways rain or “just” gusty winds, rime ice is beautiful but make haste & heed warnings.

In awe of your epic views clear days display, layers of mountainous terrain whilst others remain socked in, sleet & treacherous weather that completely ruin a day.

Higher-summit forecast, a reality sets in, perhaps we should turn back, not go further for danger is ahead & trail-gate instead.

This destination, an epic journey, peeps in line wanting pictures at the top.

Oodles of memories, they’ll last for my lifeline for I’ve known your glory Mr. 6,288.

I’ve shook your hand, stood at that sign, proclaiming I have arrived, a guest for only a short period of time.

Ammonoosuc a fun jaunt, Lions Head the steepest way up, Jewel’s a gem, the epic Presidential Traverse & even the auto road for which I “ran” once upon a time!

Sweeping across the White Mountain National Forest I proclaim this gal is in fact joining “Seek the Peak” yet again this year.

Tuckerman Ravine for charity the winds howl my name.

Irresistible, rugged & strong. Yet your alpine zone remains fragile to even that one footstep that didn’t belong.

Shhh … I’ve got a secret.  Nimbus, the kitty of the MWOBS is the real reason I’m returning.

Purrhaps he’ll allow a scratch behind his ear?

No doubt, if I were to lay down my snuggly Minus33 gear Nimbus would climb onto it & making of biscuits would quickly commence, his eyes slowly closing as a kitty nap would commence.

If you won’t press the donate button for me purrhaps you’ll choose to donate for the kitty named after a cloud formation.

Caturday, July 18th, I’ll make my ascent to where Nimbus calls home, on the mountain of the world’s worst weather elements.

See you at 6,288 and thank you for supporting AdventurewithKal & the Mount Washington Observatory.

Kally :~)

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution today in the amount of $62.88

P.S. Did you know that most employers match donations to a non-profit and this qualifies so don't forget to turn in those forms so we can receive those matching doantions!!

The nonprofit Mount Washington Observatory has been observing and reporting on Mount Washington’s infamous conditions for 90+ years from their mountaintop weather station, maintaining one of North America's longest continuous climate records. The data they collect is utilized in forecasting models, weather reports, landmark climate research and educational outreach. The free daily forecasts that the Observatory provides are an essential resource for those wishing to enjoy the outdoors in New Hampshire's White Mountains and beyond.

To learn more about Mount Washington Observatory, please visit mountwashington.org

For more on Seek the Peak, the nation's premier hiking event, visit www.seekthepeak.org

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