Ten Years on the Rock Pile

Mount Washington, located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, is the highest peak in the northeastern United States. It is often citedby its inhabitants, no lessas the home of the countrys worst weather, a claim supported by the mountains long-held record for the highest wind gust directly measured at the Earths surface (231 mph on April 12, 1934). As a transmitter supervisor for WMTW-TV, Lee Vincent traveled regularly to the summit of Mount Washington. Soon enough his reports from the peak began appearing in a column in a local paperand just as quickly captivated readers near and far. These columnswith their accounts of the everyday lives and unusual exploits of the individuals who chose, against all odds and most notions of common sense, to call Mount Washington homeare gathered in this book. As entertaining and engaging as they are informative, these reports from the summit form an invaluable record of life happily lived in extremity. Accompanied by remarkable photographs and candid snapshots, they also document the experience and insightsand after Vincents diagnosis with a virulent form of cancer, the valiant last daysof someone who had seen the mountaintop and reported back for the edification and delight of those lucky enough to read his columns and books.