Seek the Peak is Mount Washington Observatory's largest annual fundraiser. All outdoor enthusiasts are invited to raise funds, set goals, and earn gear – all in support of the observatory’s work.
During the past 22 years, thousands of hikers have summited Mount Washington mid-July during Seek the Peak weekend, showing their love of the Northeast’s highest peak and raising vital support for the observatory – support for our ongoing science and research and one of North America’s longest running alpine weather and climate records.
In the expanded format introduced last year, new and returning participants are invited to select a self-led outdoor challenge of choice, set a fundraising goal, share their personalized fundraising page with friends and family, and ultimately celebrate on Saturday, July 16 at the observatory’s Mount Washington Adventure Expo.
The expo, taking place at Great Glen Trails at the base of Mount Washington, is open to all Seek the Peak participants and the general public from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. It provides opportunities to interact with MWOBS weather observers, leading outdoor brand gear experts showcasing their favorite products, area nonprofits sharing outdoor expertise, and like-minded folks in an energized outdoor environment.
Seek the Peak is a peer-to-peer fundraiser that fuels a significant portion of the Obs’ annual budget, supporting our work in mountain meteorology, weather, climate, and education. It has become a much-anticipated summer gathering and celebration of the outdoor community in New Hampshire, bringing together hiking, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, and trail running enthusiasts in an inspiring setting at the doorstep of the northern Presidential Range.
Participants share an inner fire to seek and find adventure in the White Mountains, and they rely on our staff’s mountain forecasting to help the community plan safe backcountry outings, whether they’re heading above tree line or along a trail or waterway in the lower elevations.
All levels of participation are welcome, from the seasoned trailblazer seeking to summit Mount Washington to the new explorer eager to discover the White Mountains. Participants are encouraged to register at seekthepeak.org and personalize their fundraising page, describing the outdoor activity they plan to complete during Seek the Peak weekend.
Self-led outdoor adventure options in the White Mountains will be highlighted in the observatory’s Seek the Peak guide book, helping visitors safely and responsibly utilize the region’s natural resources.