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I haven't seen any moose or bear yet, but I have seen their sign. I noticed bear tracks in the woods off the Bryce Path up near the old Bouchard cabin between Cathedral and Whitehorse. Two sets, one large and another fairly small, seemed to indicate a mother and cub. This time of year I keep my eyes open and the kiddo and dog close by when I'm out. I do not want to get in between mother & cub! I've seen moose scat and tracks as well. Moose don't come into our area all that often and are rarely spotted around the cliffs, however I have seen them up on Bear Notch Road or off the Kanc in the Spring. Now that it's clear enough to ride the bike up there I'm sure I'll see one or more soon enough. Not too close tho!
Bug Report:
Several folks have asked me about the bugs up here right now. While there aren't all that many, they are starting to come out. I was over at Cathedral on a windless afternoon a few days ago and noticed some big fat mosquitoes landing on my bare legs hoping to grab a quick snack. Needless to say they, the bugs, didn't last too long! Several friends have commented that they've found ticks on their dogs so I guess it's time to put the anti-tick stuff on the dog & cat. I haven't seen any black flies here yet, thank goodness. However, my buddy Jeff who lives over in central Vermont says that he has them in his area - fortunately not biting yet. Hopefully we have a couple of more weeks before we need to break out the DEET. Until then things are pretty much perfect for any and all outdoor activities here in the Valley.
Changes in Peregrine Closure at Rumney Rocks in 2007:
From Chris Martin, Senior Biologist, Conservation Department at New Hampshire Audubon.
Climbers will want to take note of the following changes, effective 5/2/2007, to the temporary closure for peregrine falcons at Rumney Rocks Climbing Area, also known as Rattlesnake Mountain, in Rumney, NH. Please share this information with others whom you think might be interested.
Peregrine falcons have taken up residence and are nesting on the SUMMIT CLIFF at Rumney Rocks Climbing Area. The entire SUMMIT CLIFF (including "Flea Surgeon" and "Northwest Passage"), as well as the ASYLUM CLIFF and the MONOLITH are temporarily closed to climbing. ALL other crags, including the MAIN CLIFF, are OPEN. That's right ... the MAIN CLIFF is OPEN. First time open in the spring in 14 years! Your cooperation and respect for this closure is essential if these birds are to nest successfully. Closure will end no later than August 1, 2007.
NOTE - there is no word yet regarding closure at Cathedral Ledge. I will post information in the Forum and in the Report as soon as I receive it.
Ice Conditions Report:
Selected Ice Conditions effective February 19, 2026
Just as you would expect following Ice Fest AND a week of truly balmy temps, going to be upper 30's today, the ice can be a mixed bag. I saw someone post about how things are terrible. But digging into it, I realized they were talking about places like the North End that are very well used. It probably gets the most use of all. There are only a few places that have really easy access to moderate climbing and where you can set up a bunch of top-ropes. So that's not unexpected. And of course the climbs that are getting a lot of full sun are getting somewhat punked-out. On my way back from Wolfeboro mid-afternoon a few days ago I took a look at Rainbow Slabs which look as if they are getting pretty funky. And I watched a hunk of the bottom of Way In The Wilderness fall down! IMO it's really the time to start paying attention to what you're walking underneath, any time of the day. Enjoy this weather, but keep paying attention...
Huntington Ravine
numerous options
Repentance
iffy
Standard Route
GREAT conditions
Dracula
IN & very fat
For the full current conditions report, CLICK
HERE
Bureau of Land Management Releases Policy on Fixed Anchors in Wilderness:
From the Access Fund.
On March 15 the BLM’s Washington, DC office released an instruction memo (IM) that clarifies BLM policy regarding the management of “Permanent Fixed Anchors for Climbing in Designated Wilderness Areas Managed by BLM.” For full text see of the IM, see www.blm.gov/nhp/efoia/wo/fy07/im2007-084.htm . The BLM policy recognizes that climbing is a legitimate and appropriate use of BLM Wilderness Areas and that the use of climbing “fixed anchors has a history that predates the Wilderness Act.”
Whether or not the BLM’s fixed anchor policy accomplishes its intended purpose will depend largely on how it is implemented in the upcoming Red Rocks plan. Stay tuned to the Access Fund ENEWS and Vertical Times—or contact the BLM—regarding the specific schedule for the Red Rocks planning process.
For more information from the BLM, contact Jeff Jarvis, Division Chief, Wilderness, Rivers, and Trails, (202) 452-5189, jjarvis@blm.gov.
Mobile Version Of NEClimbs:
Up on one of the Mount Washington Valley's finest crags and want to know what that climb you're looking at is? Or maybe you're on your way up from Boston and want to check out the Ice Report for your upcoming weekend plans. Or more likely, you're at work just want to daydream about your next adventure. Well if you have a smart phone handy, you can get to NEClimbs from anywhere you have cell service. While it doesn't offer every single feature of the site and it's not an "app", in mobile form, it does do a whole lot and is very useful. Here is the live link to the mobile version of NEClimbs:
Check it out and if you have issues on your specific phone, please feel free to let me know.
NEClimbs & White Mountain Report On Facebook:
Join us and LIKE us on Facebook. I'll try and post interesting pix every Thursday and the latest Ice Report in the season, tho certainly not the whole Report. Here's where you can check it out:
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.
