New hotel on Mount Washington?

December 6, 2016

Developer Wayne Presby is interested in building a 35-room hotel about a mile below the summit of Mount Washington.

At this point there is no formal application, but the Coos Planning Board will have a meeting on Thursday, December 8 for Presby to discuss the proposal with the board.

If Presby moves forward with an application, there will be public hearings.

There are already several petitions against the hotel, and some in favor.

Opponents argue that the construction of the hotel would hurt the mountain’s ecosystem and aesthetics.

“The fragile alpine summits/forests of the White Mountains can not sustain any more human traffic and, in fact, is already being threatened,” a Bethlehem resident commented on one petition. “The existing huts should be the only opportunity to stay above treeline and a waiting list should be the means to obtain the privilege, not simply building more infrastructure.”

Supporters argue that the hotel would help the North Country economy and expand shelter for hikers.

“[Wayne Presby and his fellow developers] have a long history of preserving our threatened historic landmarks, creating jobs and giving back to the community,” said North Country Sen. Jeff Woodburn. “Mount Washington is a working mountain and this will be an important addition and add necessary amenities.”

Do you have an opinion on a hotel on Mount Washington? Let us know in the comments.

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Comments

Katherine

December 7, 2016

The White Mtns have always been one of the few remaining places I can go for spiritual, mental and emotional renewal. Building a motel essentially turns a place I call "sacred," a place I go to ESCAPE commercialization and tourism, into one more ruined place I can't go without feeling heartsick. Even a single footstep can destroy a 200 year old alpine plant, plants that are miraculous! Please PLEASE don't allow this!! There are many other ways and other places to make money, but there is only Mt. Washington. And by the way hikers do NOT need motels on summits, not here or anywhere, ever.

Bettina

March 22, 2017

ALL the national parks in the country are facing threats of private development, which should be resisted at all costs. The White Mountain National Forest is one our family knows well, for over four generations. Our son died rom a heart attack this past November,on a Boy Scout weekend descending Carter Notch Trail, a hard pill to swallow, as we had climbed that trail with him when he was eight. Our daughter was a Hut Girl in the first season that young women were allowed to be so. She worked at Pinkham, of course, then at Lakes and Mizpah, and helped build The Perch. My father was one of those who claimed to be "a friend of Joe Dodge" in the '30s and '40s. Our own family has stayed at every hut in the system, over the years, and many times at the Randolph Mt. Club's Crag Camp as well. So I think our experiences there allow us to make a valid comment.

NO to the hotel. An opportunity for people who are not able to climb to the summit or even to the huts has been provided for years, by driving up or taking the Cog Railway. As it should be. But overnight stays are for those who can get there on foot. As it should be. Neither my husband, 82, nor I, 80, are in that group anymore. And when we stayed at Lakes, I used to get up before everyone, climb solo to the summit of Washington, and back down in time for breakfast at 7! These pleasures are behind me. As it should be.

New hotel on Mount Washington?

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