The first summit day of the season has that “new chapter” feeling. Wind doesn’t ask permission. Visibility comes and goes like a curtain. Every photo looks staged by the weather.
Saturday, May 23, 2026
A celebration of first ascents on the Mt. Washington Auto Road.
Alton Weagle climbed the Auto Road in unforgettable ways — on foot, backward, blindfolded, and even pushing a wheelbarrow of sugar. This day honors that spirit… and invites you to invent the next “first.”
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Seconds
Weather can change quickly on Mt. Washington. Always check road status before you go.
Get inspired
- Dream up a “first ascent” idea
- Send it in — you may get invited
- Bring your camera (and your sense of humor)
Ideas are submitted by email to the Auto Road team.
What is Alton Weagle Day?
It’s a yearly celebration of the most creative “first ascents” on the Mt. Washington Auto Road — inspired by Alton Weagle’s passion for doing the mountain differently.
Next date: Saturday, May 23, 2026 (weather permitting).
Signature energy
A day for big imagination: unusual ascents that keep the mountain (and other people) respected and safe.
inventive
respectful
safe
memorable
Submit your first-ascent idea
Want to attempt a first ascent? Email your idea to the Mt. Washington Auto Road team. If it fits the spirit of the day, you may be invited.
Send your first ascent idea to: info@mt-washington.com
Include: your concept, what it uses, who’s participating, and how you’ll keep it safe and road-legal.
If you want this site to collect submissions directly, add a small server-side script or route the form through a service.
A good submission checklist
- What’s the “first”?
- What gear/vehicle/device is involved?
- Who’s doing it (and how many)?
- Safety plan + weather backup plan
- Photo/video plan
About Alton Weagle
Alton Weagle’s love for Mt. Washington showed up as pure creativity — climbing the Auto Road in distinctive ways like walking backward, blindfolded, and pushing a wheelbarrow of sugar.
This is a fan-style hub meant to celebrate the story and point visitors to official Auto Road resources.
The spirit of the day
“Calling all creatives.” Invent a first ascent, respect the mountain, and make a memory worth sharing.
Plan your day
Treat this like a mountain day, not a normal event day: weather swings fast, visibility can vanish, and plans should stay flexible.
Official contact
Mt. Washington Auto Road: (603) 466-3988 • info@mt-washington.com
Address: 1 Mount Washington Auto Road, Gorham, NH 03581.
A simple timeline
- Before you go: check road status + weather.
- Arrive early: parking, photos, meetups.
- Ascent: keep it safe, legal, and respectful.
- Summit time: photos, windproof layers, hydrate.
- Down safely: conditions can change on descent.
Postcards from the Summit
Short notes from Mount Washington — the weather, the wind, the weird little moments that make the mountain feel alive. These are meant to read like postcards: quick, specific, and dated.
Want to contribute? Once the forum is live, you’ll be able to post your own “postcards” and photos.
Latest postcards
Packed track, cold light, and that quiet moment where the mountain feels like it’s listening back. Fingers go numb fast. You learn what matters.
The summit is a sculpture garden made of ice. Everything looks like it was dipped in white flame. The wind edits your thoughts down to one line: keep moving.
These are placeholders — swap in your real entries as you post them.
FAQ
How do you participate?
Come to celebrate, and if you want to attempt a “first ascent,” submit your idea by email to the Auto Road team.
What kinds of “first ascents” are we talking about?
Creative, unusual ascents (sometimes using unexpected devices) that still respect safety and the road.
Where can I see past years?
The galleries above link directly to the official Flickr sets by year.
Is the date always May 23?
The event has historically centered on May 23. Always confirm on the official event page for the current year.
For the latest updates, always check the official Mt. Washington Auto Road event listing and Alton Weagle Day page.