GO PATS!!!! Starting tomorrow, Thursday, the 2026 ICE FEST WEEKEND is upon us, and that's the main reason for this early Report. Kudos to Paul, Lisa, Rick, Brady and the whole IME/IMCS crew for keeping the stoke alive. Three days of warmish daytime temps, but no rain (!), should really help. And based on the ice conditions I've seen so far, this could be one of the best.
The MWV Ice Fest is considered one of the premier climbing events in the country. For over 33 years it has provided a great opportunity for those attending to network, socialize, try new gear and participate in multiple day courses, one-day technical clinics and privately guided climbs. Don't miss it!
Feb 5 - Feb 8, 2026 in North Conway, NH.
Our Current Review
AVALANCHE DREAMS: A Memoir of Skiing, Climbing and Life
Louis Dawson describes his life in six sections with each one representing a different era of his life. The forty-three short chapters flow smoothly and keep the reader wanting to explore one more episode at each reading.
Amphitheater left (multiple) -
WI 3
A very nice area containing a variety of fun climbs ranging from easy 3 to harder 4's. In a good ice year there may be as many as 6 lines. This is a very popular toprope area and a single 50 meter rope will suffice. NOTE: all the climbs can be led.
Well, I'll say this: climbing can kill you, but women can destroy you. There's a big difference, y'know.
—Derek Hersey
In case you weren't really believing that there is a train running!
Frankenstein trestle, Crawford Notch
Selected Ice Conditions effective February 12, 2026
There sure is a lot of climbable ice pretty much everywhere. And for the most part it's plastic, or getting that way. Except where it's in direct sun for much of the day. A few classics like Machine and Snot Rocket simply haven't come in at all, but almost all the good stuff is there to be had and in pretty much consensus shape. I would say that this is the time to jump on it folks...
Huntington Ravine
numerous options
Repentance
been done
Standard Route
GREAT
Dracula
IN & fat
For the full current conditions report, CLICK
HERE
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One Of Our Articles: Another Day At Ducks Head (a.k.a. Trollville)
Duck's Head (Trollville) is a great place to toprope or to get your mixed climbing skills in order. This day was a particularly great time...plus we ran into a couple of mixed-masters and got to watch them at work!
Climbing is a very dangerous sport. You can get hurt or even kill yourself. When you go climbing, you do so of your own free will. Everything on this site is to be taken with a grain of salt. Don't blame us if you get up some totally heinous route, in over your head and fall and hurt yourself.
