SARGENT’S PURCHASE — Other than a tiny patch of fog, it was blue skies for “Good Morning America”’s visit to the top of Mount Washington on Aug. 28, though ABC News correspondent Stephanie Ramos’ clothing wasn’t warm enough. But after a quick stop at the gift shop at the base of the Cog Railway, it was all systems go for a ride up to the summit.
GMA’s “50 States in 50 Weeks” series started in July, and correspondents visited states in order of when they joined the Union. New Hampshire was the ninth state to be highlighted, with a focus on the scenic views, unique weather and rescue efforts undertaken by the state Fish and Game Department.
Senior Executive Producer Simone Swink commented about the series: “We had been in talks with New Hampshire tourism about their recommendations and the visual of going up the Cog Railway seemed like an amazing live shot.”
Although Ramos was armed with a bright smile in front of the camera, she forgot a winter hat for the chilly summit weather. However, she got one at the train station gift shop when live filming began at the base of the Cog Railway at 7 a.m.
Between Cog Brakeman Terry Burton’s informative talks. the crew filmed a few short segments during the train ride up Mount Washington. The passengers, who were featured in shots throughout the morning, included Fish and Game employees, State Parks and Cog staff, tourism officials and others who booked the early train.
Once the train reached the summit, there were quick setups to arrange the live shots and pretaped clips to run later in the program. Shots were mostly filmed with the top of the Cog tracks or the Sherman Adams Visitor Center in the background.
During a break around 8:15 a.m., a screen inside the visitor center said the temperature was 36.7 degrees, wind speed was 23 miles per hour and the wind chill was 25 degrees.
Ramos next spoke with a few special guests to highlight the Granite State.
First up were Fish and Game Conservation Officers James Benvenuti and Eric Fluette, accompanied by their K-9s Cora and Moxie, to talk about rescue efforts in the mountains.
The next guest was Gov. Kelly Ayotte, who presented Fish and Game Executive Director Dr. Stephanie Simekwith a commendation for the department on air.
“We have such a beautiful state, and we have such amazing, unsung heroes here,” Ayotte said before handing Simek the framed proclamation.
Then she turned back to the camera, saying: “We’re on beautiful Mount Washington here, and we have amazing hiking in our White Mountains, and (Fish and Game) rescue people if people get into a jam. They’ve saved so many lives, and today we want to thank them for their incredible work.”
After cheers from the crowd, Ayotte added: “The Granite State is such a great place to be. You can hike, you can swim, you can enjoy our lakes, and we’ve got lots of fun things to do here, and we’re so happy to have you (Ramos and the GMA crew) here today.”
Ramos responded, “I love it here! I’ve got to come back and bring the family.”
U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) also weighed in, talking about special programs in the state and particularly highlighting the Mount Washington Observatory.
“This is the highest treasure of the state of New Hampshire,” Goodlander said. “Just looking around here, we’ve got people that I couldn’t be prouder to represent in Congress and I couldn’t be prouder to represent this place because, and your viewers are seeing it, the forces and miracles of nature itself are right here. And the people that are truly the best of America, and the dogs, too (referring to K-9s Cora and Moxie), are right here on Mount Washington.”
Throughout the televised program, anchors back in the studio shared fun facts about the state during, including that New Hampshire was the first colony to declare independence, the first alarm clock rang in the state in 1787, the state is where astronaut Alan Shepard is from and is home to the first (alleged) alien abduction.
