The Auto Road typically opens in early to mid May. Our Road Crew has been working non stop over the last three weeks trying to make that happen. This involves chained vehicles and equipment plowing, grading, ice drilling and rebuilding. State Parks and The Mt. Washington Observatory snowcats have been aiding us with removal of new snow that has fallen almost nightly.

Keep in mind that opening the road is mostly being done in severe weather such as snow, ice, heavy winds and freezing temperatures on the side of a mountain. Safety is always a concern and sometimes the Crew is brought back to the base if the weather becomes too dangerous.

Stay tuned for another update early next week. The Auto Road will open to treeline at 4200’ (2/3 of the way up) soon and to the summit once the Road above treeline is safe to travel on – and oh yeah once the weather decides to cooperate!

by Steven Caming

Photo: Mike Pelchat

Some people just need to challenge themselves. Its part of their DNA…it’s how they get to know themselves and the world around them. For some, the challenge is professional or financial, for others it’s personal. Some need the accolades of many, while others require only the quietly competent knowledge that they did what they set out to do.

Each challenge, each goal is uniquely tailored to the personality of the individual, as only they know what particular achievement will meaningfully validate the effort. You might think climbing the Northeast’s highest peak during winter, on stilts with snowshoes attached, would be a challenge…and you’d be right. But for Hans Bauer of Center Conway it was more of a whimsical adventure that didn’t quite get to the level of being truly challenging.

Of course, Bauer is a man who’s already logged a few endurance miles along the way. He has biked through all six New England states in just 17 hours. In his “ultra-running” mode he has several grueling treks under his belt, including 100 miles in 17 hours, 5 minutes; 130 miles in 24 hours and 195 miles in 48 hours (it should be noted he is not satisfied with any of these times). He has run 7000 miles (including halfway across the USA) in one 18 month period and has biked more than 31,000 miles during five grand tours that have taken him through 11 countries and all of the lower 48 states…and he has done this all alone.

Generally speaking, it’s not about speed and records for Bauer, but about endurance. He pushes himself to discover not life-threatening limits, but life-enhancing perspectives. A near fatal climbing accident on Cathedral Ledge this past year (falling more than 100 feet) further developed his philosophical position. “I could easily have been dead, so I enjoy what every day has to offer. Sure, I’ve been doing things that could be considered dangerous, but I don’t take it to that place. For me, it’s more just testing the limits of my endurance. I like to know that I’ve lived on THIS day,” he said emphatically. “It’s about seeing the world a certain way—as full of wonder and possibility and the chance to experience things we may have done before in new ways”.

While many of his adventures have taken him around the world, Bauer finds plenty to test himself right here in the Mt. Washington Valley. After tackling his first 23 mile Presidential Range/Mt. Washington winter traverse (which goes from the Dolly Copp campground area in Pinkham Notch all the way across to the AMC Highland Center in Crawford Notch), he decided to step it up a notch, so to speak. The next time around Bauer did a one day solo winter double traverse, reversing his course and covering the 46 miles in just about 23 hours. Yes, this is what he does for fun…

Photo: Mike Pelchat

Bauer began what would become Mt. Washington’s first ever ascent on stilts at 6:00 am from the Auto Road base. He had attached a pair of snowshoes (with built in crampons) to the bottom of the construction stilts (he found those at a yard sale for $30) and began his ascent (alone again, naturally) in the quiet darkness of the pre-dawn morning.

While not an imposing fellow physically (“I’m the same size as Napoleon!” he noted), Bauer does exude a certain quiet (and well earned) confidence in his abilities. Still, he never takes a cavalier attitude towards his wilderness adventures. As the winds gusted over 35 mph above treeline during his ascent of the Auto Road, he lowered his stilt height from three feet to two feet off the ground, to keep from being excessively blown around. “I was definitely afraid at times, but mostly of ending up in the paper for doing something dumb and getting hurt!” he said.

For the record, Bauer never took his stilts off during the entire eight mile ascent and then skied back down the road to finish his long day.

Tolstoy wrote that every man is three men: how he sees himself; how others see him and who he really is. Hans Bauer sees the world through the eyes of a man who challenges himself, challenges nature and challenges onlookers to question what they themselves may be capable of…If seeing the world from his heightened perspective (he stands over 7 ½ feet tall with the stilts fully extended) has broadened his horizons, it is a hard won view to a thrill.

Upon his arrival at the summit, Bauer provided quite an unusual and unprecedented sight to those working at the Observatory and State Park…it was certainly an unexpected visit. As the summit crew looked up at the man who towered above them on stilts, one asked “How’s the weather up there?” Taking in his surroundings on the summit of Mt. Washington, his simple answer summed up his day “Just perfect”.

Those who may be interested in coming up with their own unique way of ascending the Mt. Washington Auto Road can inquire about participating in Alton Weagle Day, scheduled for May 26th. For more information call the Auto Road at 603-466-3988 or online at www.mtwashingtonautoroad.com

The Ostrich Club was complete with Blackjack tables, a craps table, a roulette wheel, performances on the stage, and a speakeasy bar.  Hors d’ourves were served at high top tables wrapped in white and topped with tall white ostrich feathers.

Arts In Motion Theater Company benefited from the evening as they created the Speakeasy environment with various props and talented actors and actresses.  The night was incredible, with just about everyone dressed in attire from the 1920′s.  Guests departed that evening with laughter, smiles and great memories of a unforgettable night at the Speakeasy!

The transformation from Mountain Bike Guiding with 8 boys to dressing in a Victorian gown is quite the process, but very fun none the less. Saturday August 6, 2011 we celebrated our 150th Anniversary with a Victorian Gala and I was just starting a 5 Day Mountain Bike Camp.

Many of the women on the staff met in the lodge to get ready for the elegant occasion. Curling irons, makeup, bobby pins, dresses, shoes, hoop skirts and jewelry decorated the Libby Room. When it came time, the nine of us made our way from the lodge to the tent at the base of the Auto Road on foot, stopping for photos along the way.

It was only a brief rain shower and we didn’t melt.

Our wonderful guests were greeted by Kelly and Jackie with commemorative tickets, a dance card for the ladies, and a wood handled fan with the evenings’ program printed on it. The sound of the violin, flute and piano of Spare Parts from the Berkshires, filled the tent and our two Victorian dancers were offering their guidance to anyone who wanted to waltz.

The menu,  based on one from the 1890 Glen House, began with hors d oeuvres of lamb with mint sauce, stewed lobster a la newburg, and asparagus a la flamonde. Dinner was a choice of Beef Burgundy, Chicken Fricassee and Roasted Haddock. Our very own white wine was at every table and served in a take home commemorative glass.

President Sam Appleton opened the evening by recognizing current staff as family and thanking General Manager Howie Wemyss for keeping the Auto Road the same as the late Doug Philbrook, former President and General Manager would have wanted it.

Throughout the evening our 1918 Pierce Arrow made the perfect background for photos.

After dinner, Darby Field made an appearance from the mist in the night and told us the story of how the Mount Washington Carriage Road got here.

Three cakes were on display representing our 1918 Pierce Arrow, 1938 Ford Woodie,  and the 12 Passenger Mountain Wagon we have on display in our Red Barn Museum.

While the cake was served, the band Center Stage began playing some great music and the dance floor was hoppin’.

The fireworks display by Atlas started at 10pm and ended up being the best fireworks display I have ever seen. The show lasted about 45 minutes and had at least three grand finales. They weren’t just being blasted up high either, brilliant displays went off that sprayed smaller fireworks at ground level. Incredible doesn’t begin to describe the show.

The night finished off with more dancing.

The event was all the talk of the town for the next week. Me, I was back in the woods getting dirty on the trails riding my bike and loving it.

Thanks to all who participated! – Meg

What did we do with the old Hideaway? We recycled it, like we have done with many of our smaller buildings. It is now our new Carl Johnson Memorial Timing Building which is used for various races and for Nordic Meisters, the largest (and most fun!) weekly winter cross country race series in the country! -Meg

See the progress below

Saturday – blue skies and sunshine. Great Glen Trails opened up for horseback riding and carriage drivers. I took a walk around the “ranch” for some photos and chatted with some riders. I met a horse named Kaya and noticed her mane was a little different than the others. It was spiked, well buzzed, which made sense when I saw her tail, which was pretty frizzy. Her owner, Debbie Shade from the White Mountain Horse Association told me that’s the way this breed hair is kept. I also found out that Kaya is a therapy horse and works in the Special Olympics, no wonder, she was so calm and gentle.

A few riders from the Connecticut Horse Council were getting their horses ready for an easy trail ride. I noticed one of their horses was getting fitted with boots. My dad had horses when I was growing up so I’m somewhat familiar with equipment and I’ve never seen those before. I asked and “Cowboy Ken” explained that he’s never been here before and wasn’t sure what the surface of the trails were like. The horse didn’t have shoes on so the boots protected his feet. What a great idea.

As I continued walking around a big sign hanging on the back of a trailer and caught my eye-Mt. Washington or Bust!  I thought it was great!

I turned around and saw it, it was big, black, and beautiful. It was glistening in the sun with not a piece of dust on it, freshly painted and ready to roll. It was a Roof Seat Brake Carriage!

Most spent the afternoon trail riding on Great Glen Trails and didn’t stop talking about the beautiful weather, the scenery, and wonderful trails.

Sunday brought another perfect day, and the day everyone had been anticipating for months. The support stages were ready and all volunteers were equipped with necessary supplies available at every mile. Dr. Ted Johnson, the veterinarian, was also on the mountain to assess all horses. Horseback riders started the climb first at 5:30 am and about two hours later carriages began their ascent.

Followed by our sweep horses and riders, Steve Caming and Rhonda Bebeau-Shearlock. Thanks to Heather and Jason Blackeney for the horses.

To see horses and carriages on the road instead of cars made me think of the much simpler times and I caught myself imagining – this is how is was 100 years ago.

Once at the summit it was time for some well deserved rest, water and hay. And some photo ops!

This event was so different than any other event we have had here at the Auto Road. I don’t know how many times I went and visited the horses in the stalls and every rider I saw had the biggest smile on their face. Everyone was so happy to be here and excited to be part of our 150th Anniversary.
I’ll put my vote in now, to host horses here again even if it’s just on Great Glen Trails. -Meg

“They put on the most wonderful event. Everyone there said how great it was with perfect weather, great organization, and every thing set up perfectly for the horses. Thank you” -Debbie Shade, White Mountain Horse Association, Facebook.

“This was an incredible event! It was beautifully planned and executed! I am so thankful I was able to participate as a rider. I want to thank the Mount Washington Auto Road crew for making this the event of a lifetime. I also want to thank all of the volunteers who hung out in the hot sun on the lower half and the high winds at the top for all of their help. They were amazing and so helpful every step of the way! Awesome event!” – Rhonda Bebeau-Shearlock, Facebook.

I talked with Tim Mather, who is challenging himself to race every event the Mt. Washington Auto Road has to offer this summer. He calls it the Mt. Washington Auto Road Gravity Challenge. He raced the Climb to the Clouds two weeks ago and I asked him what he had done for training since then. He said he hadn’t done much hillclimbing but spent some time on his mountain bike. He told me it took about 10 days of preparation for Climb to the Clouds, so even before that race his fitness training was not top priority. He felt his gearing was exactly where he wanted it to be. When asked about the weather being cloudy and windy, he said temperature wise, it was perfect. He was seeded in the top notch category and figured he’d probably finish last. I asked if he had a finish time he was shooting for and he answered ” I’m not planning on doing well in all of these races but I’m going to make sure that I have fun.” The last time he climbed Mt. Washington on his bike was in 2007.  He said he’s going to try 12 Hours of Millstone.  With his cousin getting married that weekend right near the race venue, he figured he was going to mountain bike there anyways, so he might as well race. To add some fun, he’s going to race in the solo single speed category, yes that’s just one gear for all that racing. It adds simplicity because you don’t have to worry about shifting. His personal best for the Auto Road was 1 hour and 13 minutes, but he hadn’t done any climbing for training. It was because he was fit, having just completed an Ironman Triathlon, three weeks prior. An Ironman consists 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking and a full marathon at 26.2 miles. Tim kicked Issac’s butt today, with a time of 1:21:54!

Since I climbed the Auto Road on a unicycle myself, becoming the first female to do so, I knew I had to talk to Eric Scheer. He gave me advice and support before my ascent. He began unicycling when he was 13 and took about 20 years off, then when asked by his wife what he wanted for Christmas he couldn’t help but answer with A UNICYCLE! His unicycle looks a lot different than mine, it has much lighter frame with higher clearance for different size wheels, longer cranks, a handle which he made himself with a bike fork and a computer telling him speed and distance traveled, along with many other readings. The handle is used for a few things; it helps keep him from twisting while keeping his balance, which I did a lot of during my climb. It helps counter balance a potential fall and when he needs to stand up he’s got something to hold onto. This is his third hillclimb on Mt. Washington so I asked him if he has changed his training at all. He has done more work on his body, weight training, and he started the P90x Series, but hasn’t done much hillclimbing. I also asked him if he had a finish time in mind. He looked at Jonthan Sauerbrey, his competition, and said with a laugh “Yea, 30 seconds faster than him!”

I was blown away when I found out that Jonathan had started unicycling in April, April of this year! That’s only three months ago! He did have an advantage though, he raced the Auto Road in 2008 with an impressive time of 1:11:45.

As I watched the cyclists warming up, I noticed a women preparing her hydration pack and noticed she had 2 other water bottles in her cages, which isn’t unusual, she just looked prepared. Her name is Veronica Bressem and when I asked if she wanted to answer a few questions she replied nervously, “I’ll try to answer what I can.” She is from Southwick, MA and it was her first time climbing the Auto Road. She said she was going to race with her husband Andrew, but he had fractured his wrist about two weeks ago, but she was determined to climb, it was on her bucket list. Her only goal-to finish.

I have always been at the base for Newton’s Revenge and this time I was able to ride with the media all the way to the top. It sure was a rush the second the cannon fired with the top notch class cranking it out past the Toll House and into the first hill. As we climbed, we leapfrogged the lead group and got some great shots.  Signs of encouragement were drawn on the pavement with chalk which I’m sure helped all racers.

I give a lot of credit to all the racers to not only climb the worlds toughest hill but to do it these challenging conditions. -Meg

This summer the Stanley Museum is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Mt. Washington Auto Road and the history of Stanley exploits on the road. F.E. Stanley placed 2nd in the 1st Climb to the Clouds race in 1904, his “little red car” beating all comers except a powerful Mercedes. With Stanley is a neighbor from Newton, Mass., Joseph W. Crowell. Crowell (MIT, Class of 1904) was the second driver up Mt. Washington in a steam Locomobile, accompanied by his mother, Eliza, on August 6, 1900.

The 1st car up Mt. Washington was a Stanley Locomobile driven by F.O. & Flora Stanley on August 31, 1899. The Stanley Museum is currently working on the Mt. Washington Auto Road’s 1899 Locomobile which may be the very same car. If so, it would also be the first car driven to Kingfield, making its first return in 112 years. The Stanleys’ 1899 trip was likely to promote and rigorously test the new car for its new owners, the Locomobile Company. The Stanleys were wildly successful on both counts, demonstrating the practicality of the car and the feasibility of good roads – including the Mt. Washington Carriage Road.

The 1st Stanley to reach the summit was a 1902 model driven by Austin Y. Hoy of Chicago (also MIT, Class of 1904) on September 2, 1903. Hoy and his mother, Mary Elizabeth, set a new record for the climb in 1 hr & 39 min (running time). Another early steamer to attempt the climb was driven by a former MIT student. Can you guess who it was? (Answer below*.)

The Stanley Museum will celebrate the Mt. Washington Carriage/Auto Road’s 150th anniversary with a steam car tour scheduled for the week of Aug. 8.

New Hampshire Steam Car Tour
Annual Eastern Invitational
Gorham, New Hampshire
August 7 – August 13

Come join us with our friends at the Mt. Washington Auto Road in helping to celebrate their 150th Anniversary! Five touring days totaling over 400 miles, special events at the Auto Road, and opportunities for the brave to drive up Mt. Washington will make for a busy and hopefully fun-filled week!

Headquartered in northern New Hampshire and the magnificent White Mountains, the tour takes place in areas well covered by the Stanleys themselves, including F.O and Flora Stanley’s triumphant first auto ascent of Mt Washington in a Stanley Locomobile in 1899 over the then-named Carriage Road, and F.E. Stanley’s noteworthy appearances in the Climb to the Clouds races of 1904-1905. The Mt. Washington Auto Road owners and managers have long credited the renown of the Stanleys’ achievements on the road for its longstanding popularity with the motoring public. Our next Quarterly will focus on these events and achievements. While our tour will cover some familiar territory, it will include several new routes in the very scenic foothills to the White Mountains in Maine, just west of our headquarters, the Town & Country Motel, in Shelburne, N.H.

The Town & Country Motel is a very comfortable, family-owned motel with a full dining room, on the outskirts of town with ample room for tow vehicles. Eight miles from the Mt. Washington Auto Road, it has aptly served as the headquarters for several tours. For those attending with cars, reservations can be made as long as space remains by calling (800) 325-4386. Tell them you are with the Stanley Tour to secure the special rate being offered.

For those who might like to arrive early or otherwise participate, on Saturday evening, August 6, the Mt. Washington Auto Road will host a black tie/optional mid-Victorian dress Gala event with dining, dancing, and entertainment. General admission is $175 per person. The Museum has negotiated a special rate of $150 per person for a table of eight or more.

For more information about attending with your car or attending the Gala event on the 6th, call or e-mail:
Debbie Smith at 207-585-2587, debsmith@tdsteime.net
Howard Randall at 617-688-7321, steamin-yankee@comcast.net

On Stanleys, Whites, Locomobiles, and other Steam Cars, On to New Hampshire!

WALK THIS WAY

The Stanley Museum and the Kingfield Historical Society are collaborating on detailed plans for a Walking Tour Map of Historic Kingfield. Many of the local sites with direct Stanley connections, as well as those photographed by Chansonetta, will be featured on the walking tour. Preliminary designs for the walking tour will be presented to the Kingfield Village Enhancement Committee later this Spring. The Kingfield Village Enhancement Committee is working to advance numerous plans for the revitalization of Kingfield. Their plans include a new town park directly behind the Stanley Museum. The Stanley Museum is supportive of many of the proposed designs, as they are expected to bring new visitors to Kingfield and to the Stanley Museum.

ARTS FOR ART’S SAKE – AND FOR THE STANLEY MUSEUM

The First Friday Art Walks continue to draw in larger and larger crowds to all the art galleries and museums in Kingfield. The Stanley Museum has opened its doors for these new art walks, scheduled for 3-8 pm on the first Friday of every month throughout ski season. Visitors to the Museum have viewed a brand new exhibit featuring photographs by Chansonetta Stanley Emmons and etchings by her daughter, Dorothy Stanley Emmons. This Mother-Daughter exhibit was made possible through collaboration with the Maine Women Writers Collection at the University of New England in Portland, Maine, and the Colby College Museum of Art in Waterville, Maine, and through the tireless efforts of our volunteers: Forrest Collins, Carol French, and Howard Randall. The Museum’s new stained glass windows, restored by Constance Stanley Boudeman, have just been installed over the Museum’s entranceway as originally designed by F.E. & F.O. Stanley in 1903. Many thanks to Constance, Midwest Coach & Carriage Works, and Dan Davis of Kingfield who did the installation. Thank you all!

THE WAR(S) OF THE REBELLION(S) ON THE MAINE CIVIL WAR TRAIL

2013 marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, and the commemoration offers the Stanley Museum the chance to engage in an entirely new focus on local Stanley history. The Stanleys were ardent abolitionists, and the oldest Stanley sibling, Isaac Newton Stanley, served with distinction in the 28th Maine Regiment. Back on the home front, Kingfield was the scene for a local uprising of draft resisters – known as the “Kingfield Rebellion” – and the 14-year-old Stanley twins were eyewitnesses to these events. Copies of Isaac’s letters and diaries from his war service, and the written recollections of F.E. & F.O. Stanley will have prominence in a new exhibit planned for the summer of 2013 at the Stanley Museum. Joining again in a collaborative effort with the Kingfield Historical Society and other local history organizations, the Stanley Museum plans to be a partner in the state-wide Maine Civil War Trail. The Museum’s exhibit will also include Civil War artifacts from our collections, as well as objects on loan from our members. If you have any Civil War items in your family collections that you might be willing to loan the Museum during the summer of 2013, please contact the Stanley Museum at 207-265-2729 or maine@stanleymuseum.org.

Stanley Museum Home Page | Stanley Museum E-Commerce Site

And for the ladies, it was almost as close with Kim Dobson, of Denver, CO finishing in 1:12:11 with last year’s runner up, Brandy Erholtz, of Evergreen, Co just behind in 1:12:44.

What a close race for the wins! Howie and Sue Wemyss raced as well with Sue finishing 3rd in her age group with a time of 1:36:27 and Howie finishing with a time of 1:54:41. Great job both of you, and to all the runners!

The great weather continued for our second event of the day-Minis on Top. Again, the very top was cloudy when the minis arrived, but as the sun set the swirling clouds made for a spectacular show.

Driving up and down – courtesy of Bavarian Autosport’s Nancy Kanner and her husband Dave Schofield.

The next morning, we had an amazing sunrise! The summit was in the clouds, so some of our guests had the opportunity to drop down to 6 mile for fantastic views. Just as the sun was rising the clouds gave way at the summit, and those that stayed there were treated to a beautiful morning.

Join us this weekend for Climb to the Clouds!

Road Race 2011