This is a brief account of the mountain climb that was held on Saturday July 10, 1999 after the IOS Summer Philosophy Seminar. This unoffical event is annually attempted on the day after the Seminar banquet and party, no matter how little sleep we got the night before. Since the 1999 Seminar was held at the University of Vermont in Burlington, VT from July 3-9, we decided to attempt the highest mountain in New England: Mount Washington. As you may know, Mount Washington is famous for its nasty weather and we got a good taste of it. You can what is happening on the mountain right now from the WEB CAM at the 6,288' summit. If you were on our climb up the Tuckerman Ravine, then these pictures will bring back memories. If you couldn't make it, then you can get a feel for the adventure. (Click on the thumbnail images below for full screen photos)

Before: Tuckerman Ravine trailhead

The first half of the climb was sunny and hot

Midway at Hermit lake - the climb goes up the ravine (note ominous clouds at summit)

Enjoying the view





Getting steeper, but only 1 more hour to the top

View from near the top of the ravine

Just before the rain/+50 mph wind/50 ft visibility!

After: drowned rats waiting on the summit for the bus back down!




Thanks to Don Parrish for all these great photos!

Thanks again to everyone who shared the adventure:

---In order of appearance on "Before" photo, back row, left to right:
Tom Heaps-Nelson
Jim Heaps-Nelson
Dan Walsh
Steve Chalfant
Betsy Parks
Gayle Dean
Life Blumberg
Kirez Korgan
---In order of appearance on "Before" photo, front row, left to right:
Dave Saum
Don Parrish
Molly Hays
Kate Herrick

For more information on this climb, click here for our climb beta.