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Loafer
04-05-2005, 12:22
Sunday’s wind gusts brought the second-highest wind speed ever recorded atop Grandfather Mountain.

The gusts hit 192 mph on this highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountain Range, narrowly missing the 195.5 mph record of April 18, 1997.

A tornado with winds gusting in that range could tear roofs off well-built houses and uproot trees.

The storm also left behind 5.5 inches of snow. Typically, Grandfather Mountain gets 3.7 inches of snow for the entire month of April.

Loafer
04-05-2005, 12:23
Don't know if any NOBO hikers are near there. Thought it might be interesting.

RockyTrail
04-05-2005, 14:19
Yes that WAS interesting, never realized it got that fast on top of old Grandaddy- I bet that swingin bridge was doing the loop-de-loop! Hooo-doggy...:)

I think there is a sign on Mt Washingtion that says "fastest wind here 232 mph" or something like that.

The Old Fhart
04-05-2005, 14:31
Mount Washington recorded the highest wind speed of 231 mph on April 12, 1934.

The Solemates
04-05-2005, 16:38
Don't know if any NOBO hikers are near there. Thought it might be interesting.

Grandfather Mtn, or the Linville area at all, is not on the AT. The closest it gets to their is probably the Roan Highlands area.

The Old Fhart
04-05-2005, 17:25
Here (http://www.asheville.com/news/windygfm-2.html) is a link to the high winds recorded on Grandfather Mountain.

ed bell
04-05-2005, 18:28
Mount Washington recorded the highest wind speed of 231 mph on April 12, 1934.

Too bad Mt. Mitchell is taller, lol! Seriously though, 192 MPH on Grandfather Mountain is pretty respectable. I believe that there is a funnel effect leading towards Grandfather Mountain that accelerates the wind. Kinda like a rocket nozzle. I need to check my latest copies of Windswept to see if Mt Washington has reached windspeeds that high lately. I think it's been a while since it got over 175 MPH.:cool:

The Old Fhart
04-05-2005, 19:59
ed bell "I think it's been a while since it got over 175 MPH."I believe that Mt. Washington hit 145 mph this winter and about 4 years ago when I was up there it also hit 145 mph and that was the highest wind in 5-6 years. I believe the highest wind in the new Observatory building were recorded in 1980 and that was in the 180 mph range as I recall. I don't have exact dates and figures but I could get them if that turns you on. BTW, North Carolina has over 40 peaks higher than 6000 feet.

MedicineMan
04-05-2005, 20:33
The hardest 5 miles I have ever hiked anywhere was on Grandfather..

Hikerhead
04-05-2005, 20:54
The hardest 5 miles I have ever hiked anywhere was on Grandfather..

I'm glad to hear someone else say this as I have told many the same thing. It was the hardest, and funnest, 5 miles. The Summit Trail is awesome!!

DebW are you listening????

ed bell
04-05-2005, 21:11
I believe the highest wind in the new Observatory building were recorded in 1980 and that was in the 180 mph range as I recall. I don't have exact dates and figures but I could get them if that turns you on.
I think I saw paper record of that day in 1980 when Tim Markle gave my new Wife and I an observatory tour last May. Must have been quite an experience to work on the Rockpile OF. Do you go back up for overnights very often?


BTW, North Carolina has over 40 peaks higher than 6000 feet. 40 peaks and I'm trying to hit em all. Actually my favorite 6000ft overnighter is a legal camping area that I have determined to be the highest legal overnight site east of the Black Hills of S.D. Anyone care to guess where that site is?:-?

The Solemates
04-06-2005, 09:53
Too bad Mt. Mitchell is taller, lol! Seriously though, 192 MPH on Grandfather Mountain is pretty respectable. I believe that there is a funnel effect leading towards Grandfather Mountain that accelerates the wind. Kinda like a rocket nozzle. I need to check my latest copies of Windswept to see if Mt Washington has reached windspeeds that high lately. I think it's been a while since it got over 175 MPH.:cool:

Wind gust of 124mph when we were there on out thru, June 2004.

Sly
04-06-2005, 10:02
Actually my favorite 6000ft overnighter is a legal camping area that I have determined to be the highest legal overnight site east of the Black Hills of S.D. Anyone care to guess where that site is?:-?

I would think it has to be Mt Mitchell State Park. :-?

ed bell
04-06-2005, 17:41
I would think it has to be Mt Mitchell State Park. :-?


Close, but I'm sorry, that's incorrect. Thank-you for playing.:D

DLFrost
04-06-2005, 18:43
I think I saw paper record of that day in 1980 when Tim Markle gave my new Wife and I an observatory tour last May. Must have been quite an experience to work on the Rockpile OF. Do you go back up for overnights very often?

40 peaks and I'm trying to hit em all. Actually my favorite 6000ft overnighter is a legal camping area that I have determined to be the highest legal overnight site east of the Black Hills of S.D. Anyone care to guess where that site is?:-?
Icewater Spring Shelter, on Mt. Kephart, GSMNP.

Sly
04-06-2005, 18:46
Close, but I'm sorry, that's incorrect. Thank-you for playing.:D

Hmmm... Someplace on the Black Mountain Crest Trail? :confused:

Sly
04-06-2005, 18:51
Roan High Knob! :p

ed bell
04-06-2005, 19:16
Hmmm... Someplace on the Black Mountain Crest Trail? :confused:


Close enough, we have a winner. Since overnight camping is permitted only at the campground in Mt. Mitchell State Park, to be legal you must leave the park and enter the National Forest along the Black Mountain Crest Trail. Highest Point is Cattail Peak, just inside the National Forest Boundry. Elevation 6583 ft.:)

Sly
04-06-2005, 19:32
Close enough, we have a winner....along the Black Mountain Crest Trail. Cattail Peak Elevation 6583 ft.:)



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