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This went out early because the weather looks like crap from Tuesday afternoon/evening right through Wednesday, and of course Thursday is turkey-day. I have people coming here for dinner and honestly don't think I will be able to get out that morning as I have done in the past.[wry grin] I truly hope all of you have a great time with your friends and family, and if you are traveling please have a safe one.
SOME LOCAL UPDATES:
As I often do, when I went up to the Notch I ran up to the top of the Arethusa Falls drive to see if Bill King was at home. I've known Bill for almost 30 years and always have made a point to stop and chat whenever I see him in his yard or on his deck. For many years I would wave to him as I would walk down the tracks to solo something on Thursday mornings when I took pictures and we would chat when I came back by. Many climbers have gotten to know him through the fact that the rescue litter is stored right under his deck!
During the Covid winters we would sit outside on his deck and chat. During that time his wife was in a local nursing home, so like me he was alone. I didn't see him over the summer, other than once at the grocery store in North Conway. His wife passed last summer and his daughter moved to the area for a new job. Apparently he is selling the house and moving in with her in Conway. He thinks there is some possibility that the State might be acquiring the house, which would be interesting. Considering that he is 89 years old, I'm not at all surprised that he will be letting the house go. At 76 now I'm in a similar position, and know full well how much effort it is to take care of a place on your own. I hope to see him around town here & there. he will be missed...
I also noticed that both the Texaco and Elephant Head parking lots were paved late this fall. Considering the shape of both, this is surely a good thing. It will also make it easier to plow in the winter.
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
FUNDRAISER 2023/2024 WEEK 6:
There currently have been a total of 60 donors to the fundraiser. I'm still hoping to hit 100, but at this rate who knows! PLEASE contribute to NEClimbs and The White Mountain Report. Make your contribution ON LINE via PayPal or send your check or money order for $20 now.. It's easy & painless and you can use any credit card. Simply click the link below to make your donation...
VALLEY CYCLING:
Time to get out the fat bike & studded tires folks. I'm seeing icy patches in lots of places. Stay safe...
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.
