NEClimbs - information for New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont rock and ice climbers
IceCON 1. Climbs just coming in or only in upper elevations like Ravines.
1 out of a possible 5
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November 12, 2009

Hi Folks,

I lived in Boston for about 15 years starting in the early 80's. I moved there from New York, after living there for 6 years and I was used to running around the city day after day. In NY especially I would walk everywhere. It was nothing to walk from the East Side all the way over to the West Side in midtown with a bass guitar slung over my shoulder and a little amp in hand, running from session to gig. I was too poor to catch a cab, and besides I liked to walk. My feet never bothered me and my back rarely complained.

Now when I go to the city & just spend a couple of days wandering around I feel much worse than the old man I am. [wry grin] I am really into hiking these days. My son & I are out doing 3-6 miles or more almost every weekend. Even after a long hike with a reasonable weight pack on a rocky trail like the hike into the Ravines I never feel beat up the way I do after wandering around on city streets for a day. This Tuesday & wednesday we did a short family vacation in Boston and it was no different.. 2 days of walking all over the place on that god-awful concrete and my back is feeling terrible. It probably wasn't even all that far actually - how far is it from Chinatown to Berklee anyway? Regardless my feet & back were in pain Tuesday night. Heck, I can go out and hike all the way around Cathedral and Whitehorse in 90 minutes plus - about 3 miles - and feel fantastic. Not an ache or pain!

I like to visit the cities for the entertainment and food, but I think maybe I'll just stay here in the north country & leave the city to the city folk. Now if we could just get one of those restaurants in Chinatown to move up this way. I really do love the spicy fried calamari & steamed pea-pods. [grin]

An aside - tomorrow is Friday the 13th! B E W A R E
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 Click to see route picture.
Dracula OUT Click to see route picture.
For the full current conditions report, CLICK HERE

Instant Ice Report:
All I'm hearing right now is whining about the lack of ice... I love ice climbing too, but it's hard to take with all these 60-65 degree days going by. I gotta say it - come on folks! This is like the dying person getting a second chance. The ice season will most assuredly be here soon enough, no question about it, but a last opportunity for a few spectacular days on the rock, on the trail or out on a bike are special here in the middle of November. Grab 'em while you can. You will cherish their memory on that -20 degree day in late January.

But now down to some actual info - While I know that late last week there were reports of folks climbing Odell's & Pinnacle, that's changed already. And not for the better. On Tuesday two friends, Steve & Todd, hiked up into Huntington, did the Huntington Ravine Trail, summitted and came down Tucks. According to them there was close to literally no ice left up there after the warm several days. Here's a couple of pictures if you don't believe me...

Odells
Pinnacle Gully
Tucks waterfall area

So, it doesn't look all that promising for Thanksgiving weekend, does it? We need some snow & consistent cold. I know it will come, but it ain't here just yet and it doesn't look too promising for the weekend either. [sigh] Stay tuned...

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:

http://www.neclimbs.com/mobile

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:
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Remember - climb hard, ride the steep stuff, stay safe and above all BE NICE,

Al Hospers
The White Mountain Report
North Conway, New Hampshire


It is to conquer fear that one becomes a climber. The climber experiences life to its extreme. A climber is not crazy. He is not out to get himself killed. He knows what life is worth. He is in love with living.
Walter Bonatti
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