MOUNT WASHINGTON, N.H.(AP) –For crew at the Mount Washington Observatory, some things are guaranteed during Christmas.

“We won’t have to worry about the white part, that usually takes care of itself,” said Neil Lareau, a weather observer who was on duty Christmas Eve.

At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeast and home to some of the most region’s most brutal weather, with winds exceeding hurricane force on an average of 104 days a year.

The observatory is a nonprofit organization that records the extreme weather conditions on the mountain, conducts research and offers educational programs.

“We staff this station continuously. There is no break. We work on a week-on, week-off schedule,” Lareau said.

Two observers and an intern were working over the holiday.

“It’s always tough not being home,” said David Balfrey, the observer on duty Christmas Day. “We’ve really been concentrating on spending our Christmas together and sharing our time together, which is really nice.”

The crew went on a hike and shared a late dinner on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, the three swapped gifts over bacon and eggs.

“We got a deluxe Scrabble game, which is very exciting,” said Erin Pinney, the intern. “We play a lot of Scrabble.”

During the winter, the observatory has mail service once a week, making last-minute gift shopping out of the question. “You do a lot before you come up, also online,” said Balfrey.

On Sunday, observers kept an eye on a messy storm of wet snow and freezing rain moving into the region. But whatever the conditions outside, weather observers try to make the observatory cozy on the inside. Due to fire regulations, they can’t have a real Christmas tree.

Still, the crew put up an artificial one, customized to look like the wind-blown variety on the mountain. All the branches were removed from one side.