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So the big BUZZ around here this week has been about the proposed new AMC hut in Crawford Notch. It will be the 10th AMC hut in the White Mountains - 8 “high mountain” plus the 2 Crawford Notch and Pinkham hotels. Local reactions range from “they’re good for business, let ‘em do whatever they want” to “this is just another grab for money, by an already money-hungry organization”. I have some friends who have been through the experience of the AMC expansion in Crawford Notch, and who have some very negative opinions, plus I also have an ex-business partner who is on the Board. So I’ve heard that side as well. As someone who lives in the White’s, I must admit that it’s hard for me to come to grips with yet another hut up here, but you should make up your own mind.
“The hut is expected to accommodate 50 guests plus necessary accommodation for staff (1-8) and volunteers (0-4) and will provide clean water, bathrooms and space to sit and eat lunch for all park visitors year round. Full service meals will be available to overnight guests May to October and self-service overnight accommodations with no meal service will be available November to April. The AMC is planning on incorporating “green” energy systems such as solar and wind at the site.”
And a map showing where the new hut and proposed new trail will be:
There will be a public information session on Wednesday July 29, 2015, 4:00pm-7:00 pm at the Department of Resources and Economic Development, 172 Pembroke Road, Concord and a second session on Thursday July 30, 2015, 4:00pm-7:00pm at Crawford Notch State Park, Willey House Building. If you have feelings about this, one way or the other, I urge you to make your feelings known to the State. They won’t know unless you tell them!
New Climbing Areas:
I’ve mentioned many times that it’s almost impossible to from new places to climb here in the Valley. It would seem that there is hardly a square foot of rock that hasn’t been climbed over the past 100 years by one of the prolific climbers that have lived in and explored this area. And then of course someone like George Hurley finds several new and worthwhile climbs at the North End of Cathedral, the Chinos create a couple of new areas at places like Hall’s Ledge, or Brad’s work at White’s Ledge. So needless to say I wasn’t all that surprised when Brad told me about a new little climbing area that George has found once again on Cathedral Ledge. I can’t tell you where it is yet, but I will say that access is very easy and it’s very cool. Here’s a picture of Brad following a nifty little corner climb that goes about probably 5.6.
So You Thought Cathedral Was Stable, Did Ya:
Apparently the rain we had a couple of days ago brought down a rather large tree from the Big Flush, left of the Saigons on Cathedral. Pretty darn interesting IMO. Thnx to Dave Lottman for the pix.
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
More About Ticks:
Someone sent me a link to a survey/article about ticks in New Hampshire that was dome by the UNH Cooperative Extension. It goes into a lot or detail about ticks in the area; including the kinds of ticks, where they live, propagation of different types, diseases they spread, ways of protecting yourself from them and much more. I was surprised at how many types of ticks there are, and the fact that there is even a tick that is around through the winter! Needless to say the one most concerning is the Black Legged Deer Tick because it carries Lyme Disease. It is a very informative article and I strongly urge you to read it.
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/…/doc…/ticks-biology-mgt.pdfValley Cycling Notes:
I usually ride by myself or with my friend Phil, but occasionally I get out with a group on Friday mornings when I can. Last week the group took an excursion up to the Gorham area on the other side of Mt Washington to check out some new trails and a couple that we have ridden before. Our first stop was at the Moose Brook State park, where there is close to 10 miles of single track. You can get a map of the area at the Park. Next we checked out Power Island, a very neat place in the middle of the Androscoggin River that goes through Berlin & Gorham. It is accessed by a trestle or a ATV bridge. If you’re looking for another neat place to ride, this is a great choice. Moose Brook is more hilly and Power Island flatter, but both are worthwhile.
All of these trails are maintained by the Coos Cycling Club. Find out more here:
Admission for Moose Brook is only $4 for adults and $2 for children and nothing for Power Island.
AAC Craggin’ Classic Get-together:
Put this on your schedules - September 11-13. More details will come later.
Instant Bug Report - BugCON 2:
I’ve been out a lot over the past week, on the bike and climbing, and frankly the bugs haven’t been bothering me much at all. I’ve also asked many of my friends their opinions, and I’m hearing the same. Therefore I’m dropping BugCON to a season-low 2.
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.
