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Kiddo and I have done plenty of medium day-hikes together. The most recent was up the Bryce Path between Cathedral & Whitehorse, over Whitehorse and back down the Whitehorse trail. While not as far as Pinkham to HoJo's, it's most assuredly steeper and generally harder. We did that one in about 2 hours on Sunday and I'm hoping he'll realize that the Mt. Washington hike is easier - we'll see. The wife, who wants no part of this expedition BTW, isn't so sure that kiddo will do well with the backpack but I'm keeping him pretty doggone light and carrying most everything myself. Frankly without a tent & water my pack is far lighter than my winter ice climbing guide pack & rope. IMHO it's not bad at all.
With any luck there will be a lean-to slot available on Wednesday. Unfortunately the AMC doesn't reserve them 'till the day you want one. [sigh] Not sure why that is, but it sure is inconvenient. Imagine you are coming up from New York! Anywho -the girl at the desk says there shouldn't be any problem, but you never know. Needless to say I do have a PLAN B in place - I.E. bringing a tent and heading over to Wild River. I love the Evans Notch area and it would be fun, it's just not quite the same thing.
So, when I said that the wife wants no part of this, I mean it. She thinks I'm overreaching for a first time backpacking trip. I have more faith in the kiddo & my ability to keep him motivated, but we shall see. I hope to get up there, dump the packs, get a snack and wander up into Tucks by the cache. Then back down to fiddle around & then make dinner. My guess is that he'll be pretty tired & will crash early. Then up in the early morning for a cereal breakfast and a hike across the connector & up for a view of the Huntington fan, some lunch and an leisurely hike down to Pinkham.
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
Since he skis, I'm also hoping to get him thinking about hiking up to Tucks next Spring. Who knows, maybe even a little snow climbing might be in store. Now THAT would be a cool thing for a 9 year old to do. Heck, there was a 9 year old riding the Mt. Washington Bicycle Hillclimb last Saturday! It's impressive what the kiddos these days can do.
So we're heading off in a few minutes, so wish us luck. The weather looks about as promising as we could ask for, tho a bit cooler than you would expect for this time of year. Why am I not surprised? Stay tunes for the rousing conclusion to this tale of 2 guys on the mountain in next week's "White Mountain Report". [grin]
BUG REPORT:
With the breeze we've had the bugs have been minimal on the cliff. However in the woods they are brutal. Strangely enough I've even seen black flies around, and they are biting! Keep that bug dope handy folks.
My Quick Weather Note:
Several nice days followed by a smattering of rain Tuesday morning and a blustery but bluebird afternoon has added up to a string of fairly nice couple of days. According to the Weather Pundits (yeah right) the jet-stream has moved up north for the first time in 8 weeks, allowing for some warmer and drier weather to move in. Maybe it's this much vaunted "Summer" thing that we're all heard about, but not seen. We shall see...
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.
