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Well once again, here we are. Trying our best to answer the ever important question looming at the impending end of yet another ice season - "Is this all there is?" And a very good question indeed it is, but one I can't honestly answer. Most especially on this, a Leap Day...
It has been a crazy winter for sure, and spring probably won't be any better. It's clear that the weather in the next few daze is all over the place. There are no promises beyond probably Saturday at the latest. The current predictions are not great, but you never know. The main thing is to be very cautious whatever you do. And frankly it may be more appropriate to think about finding some dry rock! Just sayin'...
MUSICAL NOTES:
After 3 consecutive killer weekend gigs at Big Day and Ledge Brewing, I will be at Tuckerman Brewing on Saturday with the Al Hospers Band. This will be my 5 piece, with master sax player Mike Sakash, PLUS my good friend and MONSTER sax man from the North Shore, Mr. Henley Douglas Jr. This means we will be doing some killer funky jams for you all. DON'T MISS THIS ONE FRIENDS!
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
Of course the usual pictures will be on NEClimbs.com and FaceBook if available.
VALLEY CYCLING:
It's a crap shoot. The riding may be good today and tomorrow and in the shaded places for a day or two, but it's likely going turn to slush and mud by early next week. If you find yourself sinking in more than 1/2", don't do it! You're simply going to make a mess of whatever is left of the great grooming our NEMBA friends have done. Seriously folks, consider doing a night-ride if you have that option.
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:
Remember - climb hard, ride the steep stuff, stay safe and above all BE NICE,
Al Hospers
The White Mountain Report
North Conway, New Hampshire
The thrashing movements gave me the shuddering thought that if the stitching came apart, I would burst through the bottom and plunge two thousand feet. My life was hanging on the threads of an Oldham seamstress.
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.
