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Going to extremes at a mountaintop weather museum

MOUNT WASHINGTON, N.H. - How do you rebuild a weather museum atop a mountain known for some of the world's worst weather? Very carefully.

Extreme Mount Washington sits on the top of the Northeast's highest peak, in New Hampshire. The museum recently underwent a $1 million transformation from a modest collection of artifacts behind glass to a modern facility packed with hands-on exhibits.

It was somehow appropriate that bad weather forced the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony indoors.

Demolishing the old museum down to the studs and rebuilding it wasn't easy, given the location and the cold, wind, ice and low visibility that consistently combine.

A photographer spent about 30 winter days at the summit to capture the photos and video footage, constructing elaborate heated cases hooked up to car batteries to keep his cameras working.

A simulator of a snowcat driving up the Mount Washington Auto road is used at the new Extreme Museum on the top of Mount Washington. Associated Press/Jim Cole
A display of animals is part of the $1 million transformation from a modest collection of artifacts behind glass to a modern facility packed with hands-on exhibits. Associated Press/Jim Cole
Mount Washington is covered in snow in this Nov. 13, 2013, file photo taken from Bartlett, N.H. Extreme Mount Washington sits on the top of the Northeast's highest peak, in New Hampshire. Associated Press/Jim Cole
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