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Tho it's difficult in early September to think about ice, it's worth at least a little thought as to where we stand now and looking ahead - right? Although we had some fairly consistent rain in the spring, we should understand just how dry a summer we've had. And I DO mean it's been dry.
According to the Mt Washington Observatory measurements, August 2025 was the driest August AND the driest month ever recorded in North Conway. Only 0.91" of rain fell in the 31 days of August! This has had a significant impact on stream and river levels, overall soil moisture and very low residential wells. Numerous wells in the area are experiencing very low levels, and in some cases actually running dry. This is becoming a real problem. If you've been out on the river or just poking around in the woods where there are normally stream crossings, you will have seen the severe lack of water. Even the mountain bike trails are dry and dusty, making for some tricky downhill riding and need for more chain lube. And now the leaves are even starting to fall, and unfortunately they aren't brightly colored.
For those of you out camping please do understand that ALL outdoor fires are BANNED indefinitely. There have been several wildfires that have been caused by campfires that were not fully extinguished, two in Gorham recently. And yes, even your back yard fire pits are banned!
According to NOAA Climate Prediction Center, the drought conditions may worsen. There are limited opportunities for precipitation in the long range forecast. While we've had some great rock climbing weather this summer, needless to say this has the potential to have a decidedly negative impact on the ice and snow for the upcoming winter.
YES folks, we need rain in the worst way.
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
MUSICAL NOTES:
I will be at Big Day Brewing in Gorham with my guys and Jim McLaughlin on Friday from 6-9. We should be outdoors. Great beers, food and top notch music. Then next Thursday, 9/11, I will be at the Leura Hill Eastman PAC in Fryeburg with Mike Levine's Miami Spice Band. I gotta say that this is a fantastic 6 piece group that plays mostly original funky Latin Jazz music. I've known Mike Levine since the mid-70's and he is an amazing pianist & composer. If you only catch one of my gigs this summer, this is THE ONE! Here's a taste -
VALLEY CYCLING:
The trails are riding very well, but are very VERY dry. If you're doing the downhill thing, be aware of the leaves and "kitty litter" in the berms. Just sayin... One really cool trail that I'm digging this summer is the new uphill from the "shooting Gallery" on High Street all the way to the kiosk at the Mineral Site. Kudos to bike mech Chris Krugh for his work win this one.
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.
