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[WOW] Well as you all are certainly aware, the fires in Canada are causing major disruption down here in the US and especially on the East Coast. While it's not bad here in the Whites at this time that's partly because for now it's mostly blowing past us. Plus to some extent I assume because it's been raining on and off for the past week. Prior to the rains we were getting a lot of haze with some pretty amazing sunrises and sunsets.
While the rain is good for the water table and gardens, needless to say it's put a damper (so to speak) on much of my outdoor activities, including some gigs. My friends & family in NY and DC liken this to scenes from Blade Runner. It's hard to believe, but the air quality in NY is the worst ever recorded! I lived in NY for a short time on the late 60's and again for 5 years in the early 80's and at the worst it was nothing like this. Plus I'm sure you have seen the number of fires across Canada is unprecedented and it's not at all sure when they will subside. [YIKES]
SHAMELESS MUSICAL PLUG::
I am doing a show at the Majestic Cafe in Conway with the phenomenal guitarist Randy Roos on the 16th, a dinner show at the Wildcat Tavern in Jackson featuring award winning jazz vocalist Katie Oberholtzer and a band gig on the 24th at ledge brewing Company in Intervale. In addition I play every Wednesday through the summer from 5:30-7:30 with a revolving trio of friends at the Saco River Brewing Company in Fryeburg. We jam on a wide variety of tunes and it's a real gas. Not to mention that the beer is GREAT! Climb at Jockey Cap and come by for tunes and refreshments. PS there has been a fantastic food truck there as well. The Smashed Hamburger is highly recommended!
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
INSTANT BUG REPORT - 3:
Riding, climbing, working in the garden and outdoor gigs are quite a problematic right now. Between the mosquitoes and black-flies it can be an unpleasant experience for sure. Bug dope is pretty much required attire at this point. And then of course have I mentioned the ticks? [sheesh]
VALLEY CYCLING:
When it's dry the riding is great. Operative word is "when", so what else is there to say?
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.
