Local 29’s Arsenault climbs Mt. Washington 100 times

TWENTY YEARS AGO, Peter Arsenault, a member of Local 29 (Boston), was a bit indifferent about the idea of climbing New Hampshire’s Mount Washington. But in 1990, at the urging of a co-worker, he made his first ascent and successfully reached the summit.

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Peter Arsenault celebrates his 100th climb to the summit of Mount Washington.

That one climb was all it took for Arsenault to fall in love with the mountain. Over the next two decades, he went on to scale the mountain repeatedly, and earlier this year he notched his 100th climb.

At 6,288 feet, Mt. Washington is the tallest peak in the northeastern United States. It is known for its unpredictable and violent weather and once held the world record for directly-measured, surface wind speed at 231 miles an hour.

Arsenault says he prefers climbing in the winter. “It’s easier on your body, because it’s so rocky [when the ground is not snow-covered]. And it’s more beautiful; you can see clearly for miles.”

Now 54, Arsenault, who lives in Waterboro, Maine, has also led hiking groups over the years. He invites anyone who may be interested in hiking with him to get in touch at arsenault835@gmail.com.