Note: This episode was recorded in later spring of 2025.

On this episode of the 603podcast, Charlotte MacDonald talks with host Dan Egan and opens a window into the work of the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, where life-saving forecasts are crafted in pre-dawn darkness and tested daily against the mountain's unpredictable temperament. Rising at 4:30am to analyze weather data, MacDonald collaborates with fellow forecasters to publish early a.m. advisories that backcountry enthusiasts depend on before heading into avalanche terrain.

The White Mountains present unique forecasting challenges with wind-driven snowpacks that transform hourly. "In some ways it's easy to get into our terrain," MacDonald explains, "but it's also challenging." Unlike static snowpacks in other regions, Mount Washington's snow constantly shifts with hurricane-force winds that alternately stabilize and destabilize slopes. This dynamic environment requires forecasters to develop intimate knowledge of how wind, temperature, and precipitation interact across the mountain's complex terrain.

MacDonald's journey from recreational skier with little avalanche knowledge to professional forecaster offers a compelling narrative about the importance of education and mentorship. Today, she's pioneering mentorship programs to help others develop crucial safety skills, emphasizing that education shouldn't end with a basic avalanche course.

The increasing popularity of backcountry skiing has transformed the forecaster's role beyond simply predicting avalanche conditions. As more adventurers explore remote terrain year-round, MacDonald and her colleagues balance forecasting duties with search and rescue responsibilities, community education, and cultivating a culture of information sharing. Her simple request? Send photos and observations from your adventures—they provide vital data that might save lives.

Whether you're an experienced backcountry traveler or simply curious about how avalanche professionals protect mountain communities, this conversation offers rare insight into the elements behind every forecast.

To learn more about the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, visit https://www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/ where you can find information on upcoming workshops, news, and the MWAC App for easy access to avalanche information and observations on-the-go.

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Dan Egan sits down with author and travel writer Dawn Barclay to explore how she transforms New England’s most gripping true crime stories into planned road trips. Dawn’s new series, Vacations Can Be Murder, maps cases across New Hampshire and the region with exacting research, stories, and a surprising amount of care for the living.

Dawn explains the difference in crime patterns from Maine to Massachusetts, and what gives New Hampshire’s cases their distinct voice. From the Smuttynose to James Colbert murders, she traces how landscapes shape stories—and how stories, in turn, shape travel.

If you’re curious about dark tourism done right, you’ll find practical insights here: respectful itineraries, further reading to deepen context, and victim resources embedded throughout.

Press play to rethink true crime through the lens of place and history on this spooky Halloween episode of the 603podcast.

More on the Vacations Can Be Murder can be found here. Stay up to date on all of Dawn Barclay's work on her site.

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Ever wonder what it takes to build a thriving local business that becomes woven into the fabric of a community? Dave Levin's journey from basement coffee roaster to creating a New Hampshire landmark at Exit 28 offers a story in entrepreneurial grit, community building, and staying true to your vision.

When David first started roasting coffee in his basement in 2004, he had no idea his small wholesale operation would transform into Mad River Coffee Roasters—now a beloved gathering space with dozens of employees and a reputation that draws visitors from across New England. His approach was refreshingly straightforward: create delicious coffee, be open consistently, and foster genuine community connections.

What makes this story particularly compelling is how Dave transformed challenges into opportunities. When industry professionals warned him that without high foot traffic, he'd need to roast his own coffee to survive, he embraced manufacturing his product—eliminating middlemen and creating signature blends that remain community favorites two decades later. When competition moved in across the street, he focused on what made his business special rather than worrying about competitors. When lines formed at the counter, he taught staff to see it as part of the experience rather than a problem to solve frantically.

The success of Mad River Coffee Roasters reveals something profound about business and community: authenticity resonates. The cozy atmosphere consistently ranks as their most praised feature in reviews, followed by friendly staff—and of course amazing coffee and food. It's a reminder that while product quality matters, the experience and feeling you create are just as important.

Ready to discover the full story behind one of New Hampshire's most cherished local businesses? Listen now to learn how coffee became the catalyst for creating a space where locals, second homeowners, and tourists all find common ground in the heart of the Granite State.

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For more information about the 603podcast visit 603podcast.com