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There's sure enough stuff out there to keep folks engaged right now. [grin] And finally several rounds of snow coming through as well. Punxsutawney Phil says 6 more weeks of winter, and it sure feels as if that's what we have in store. We do need a little more moisture in the system for a refresh, and if we get it maybe we'll have some of that late season hero ice. Man I'd sure dig that. Stay tuned...
THE LIONS OF WINTER, by TY GAGNE:
Two weeks ago there was a book presentation and signing at the local Pope Memorial Library in Conway by Ty Gagne about his newest book. This is an in-depth analysis of the lead up to and aftermath of the death of Albert Dow and subsequent rescue of Hugh Herr and Jeff Batzer. The story has been told and retold, and there even was a recent short film about the Mountain Rescue Service and this episode:
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
Here are some of the pictures from Thursday. For ALL of the pictures and full Conditions Report go to the Ice Conditions page.
MUSICAL NOTES:
Thanks to all who hung out after Ice Fest on Sunday and caught the band I play with, The Jim McLaughlin Group. It was a real gas to see many of you folks. I hope you enjoyed it. I'll be up at Big Day Brewing in Gorham on this Saturday with my own band. We will be jamming out as kind of a pre-Super Bowl party. There will be great beers, excellent food and good music. WHat's not to like, right?
VALLEY CYCLING:
The trails had been well groomed for the past couple of weeks, but with the recent powder snowfalls, that's no longer the case. It may be a week or so before we get back to the great conditions we've had. 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:
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.
