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To my mind there are some things that are more important than climbing, cycling, hiking, kayaking, road trips, or pretty much anything else. That's the relationship with my significant other. This year we ticked off one of those milestone events in the realm of relationships - our 10th wedding anniversary! While we have both changed, we have become closer than ever. And with a kiddo as a part of our lives, we've taken to doing more things we can do together, and it's really cool.
So it's been that family kind of summer. While we're no longer doing climbing trips, we are doing cool family trips. Last month it was Grand Manan Island and this week it has been Washington DC. I haven't been there in many years other than a quick trip for a wedding a couple of years ago. This time we wanted to see all the major tourist things, but most especially the Congress & White House. I'm not all that political an animal, however I am very interested in the process. Through our New Hampshire Representative, Carol Shea-Porter, we were fortunate to enough to get tours of both the Capital and White House. Both were so cool, but the most interesting thing to me was observing the Senate from the Gallery. While we watched there was a debate going on regarding the Iraq war. Whatever you think about the war, the fact that our representatives can debate it's merits or lack thereof is incredibly important. It's what makes our society so special.
We sat and listened for a half hour while John McCain and Carl Levin presented their positions and it was riveting. These guys were good! Even if you disagreed with what they had to say, you would have had to admire them. Even Lewis, our 8 year old was intrigued, at least for a while. Seeing the history in the Capital itself was also inspiring. The Vietnam Memorial, the new WW II Memorial, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, all of it was incredible. I saw much of this 50 years ago, when my family went when I was about 8. It made an indelible impression on me then and I hope that it does the same for my son. It was a truly special experience. I don't think all that much about the history of our country, but seeing all these things up close and personal was important to all three of us.
Autumn Leaves:
In case you are a Leaf Peeper kind of person...the leaves are starting to turn already. I was up on the Kanc on Tuesday and it's obvious that things are already happening. Crawford Notch is the same. I would bet that in the next 2 weeks it will be peak.
Ice Conditions Report:
Selected Ice Conditions effective March 21, 2024
I can't actually say that there is nothing out there that can't be climbed. That would be foolish. But for the average, or a little above average climber, that's probably correct. That said, I did hear that there is climbable ice on Parasol in Dixville Notch. Not sure how that will be after we get a foot of heavy wet snow on Saturday. Regardless, here's a few pix I took today just to document things.
Huntington Ravine
AVALANCHE
Repentance
OUT
Standard Route
OUT
Dracula
OUT
For the full current conditions report, CLICK
HERE
RECALL - Petzl Charlet Sarken Crampon:
From Eric Wynn, Communications Manager, Petzl America
Petzl just formally posted a recall on their website for all Petzl Charlet Sarken crampons. This is specific to the Sarken model only -- no other Petzl Charlet crampons are affected. For more information, please go to: http://en.petzl.com/petzl/SportNews?News=193 Distributor contact information for your specific country is available in the notice on our website. We will happily discuss any concerns and your replacement options with you personally.
Bug Report:
"There ain't hardly no bugs, no where".
Climb For The Cure 1st Annual Benefit Cruise:
Please come and join Climb For The Cure on October 6th at 6:00 PM for a sunset cruise on the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth New Hampshire. Portsmouth Harbor Cruises (portsmouthharborcruises.com) has generously donated us a cruise upon their motor vessel Heritage. Please join us to learn more about our non-profit organization and how by participating in our organization's events and fundraisers you too can help cure the global hunger crisis.
By taking part in Climb For The Cure events you are no longer just climbing, you are Climbing For A Cure. By coming on-board you will learn more about us, what we do, what's coming up, and how you can participate. Also you will learn more about the local and global hunger crisis and see what you can do to help. It will only cost 10$ to come on board and that 10$ goes straight to Climb For The Cure which will then be distributed to local food banks. We will also be holding a food drive on-board and that will also be distributed to local food banks. It will be a great way to meet more climbers in the community and spend a night out in Portsmouth. There will be appetizers donated by the Blue Mermaid (a favorite Portsmouth restaurant) and a full bar on-board (including beer, wine, soda, water, and other drinks). We hope to see you there!
You must have a reservation to come on board and you can make that by emailing Lauren Wesnak at: lwesnak@cisunix.unh.edu or calling 603-801-8021. You can check out more about the event at http://web.mac.com/climbforthecure.org
Climbers Paradise for Sale, Farley, MA Update:
How would you like to have over a hundred high quality climbs and boulder problems just out your backdoor? The Western Massachusetts Climbers' Coalition (WMCC) is hard at work selling a house and two acres of land near the base of Farley Ledge in Erving, MA. The property for sale was part of a larger purchase that has allowed the WMCC to restrict development at the base of the crag and to resolve the historically troublesome access issues to this area's excellent climbing and hiking options. The Access Fund supplied guidance and inspiration via an Acquisition Summit workshop and came through with a significant grant. Additional funding was provided by The Appalachian Mountain Club and local climbers.
For more info check out the Access Fund web site.
http://www.accessfund.org/pubs/en/e-news83.htm
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:
Remember - climb hard, ride the steep stuff, stay safe and above all BE NICE,
Al Hospers
The White Mountain Report
North Conway, New Hampshire
The rules of the game must be constantly updated to keep up with the expanding technology. Otherwise we overkill the classic climbs and delude ourselves into thinking we are better climbers than the pioneers.
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.
