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It's certainly an interesting time of year. My birthday was a few daze ago, and as always that is a real wake up call. 78 this time! Then we had the time switch, which always turns my sleep patterns around for at least a week. I know people say that you GAIN an hour... But it absolutely doesn't feel that way to me. I just wish we would leave well enough alone!
The weather has finally completely made the change to late-fall/winter. I was hoping for a few more days of Indian Summer, but I don't think that's going to happen. I remember the first winter when we moved up here 30 years ago and there was a 2 day stretch of sunny 70 degree days in early December. Alyssa, by wife at the time, and I spent 1 day climbing on the South Buttress and the other at Cathedral. When winter came crashing back the next day it didn't feel so bad.
At least I have all the summer stuff like hoses and deck furniture put away, and I swapped out the lawn tractor for the snowblower! Plus I cleared out the left side of the garage so I can pull the car in when needed.
I was headed to the gym a few days ago and spotted a pretty amazing rainbow. I turned around by the strawberry fields and snapped the picture below.
From what I understand someone has already more-or-less skied the Sherbie, so that really does spell W I N T E R. Here we go folks...
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
MT WASHINGTON OBSERVATORY VALLEY WEATHER:
This active weather pattern will continue into the weekend, with low pressure exiting off the Gulf of Maine today and surface high pressure briefly building in tonight, ahead of another clipper system approaching on Friday evening.
Winds will remain elevated through the day today as this clipper system moves quickly out of New England this morning, with a continuous strong pressure gradient overhead thanks to high pressure centered over the Mid-Atlantic building in. A slight chance for rain and snow showers persists through the morning as this system exits, with dry conditions anticipated for the afternoon. As high pressure continues to build in, skies will begin to clear some Thursday night with drier air mixing in. Winds will continue to decrease heading into Friday morning, and skies will remain partly sunny for the first half of the day. A warm front associated with another clipper system will increase mid and upper level cloud coverage through the day, which will then lower as the system gets closer. Some showers Friday afternoon will be possible. A cold frontal passage will allow precipitation to become more widespread overnight.
MUSICAL NOTES
Sadly I have hardly any gigs in November. [SNIF] Fortunately I do have a pair of concerts toward the end of the month, so that's at least something. I'll talk about them next week tho...
If you are at all interested in what else is coming up with me musically, you can always see my schedule here: http://www.alhospers.com/?PageName=2
VALLEY CYCLING:
I did a good ride in Marshall at the start of the week before the rains came and another on a warm Saturday. I do really love that place. There are enough trails and connections in that area to keep me occupied for more than one day.
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
In 1961 I led this chimney in a state of metabolic uproar. At the base of the pitch I smoked several cigarettes (the first and last ones of my life). This was to calm me. Then I spooned half a jar of honey. This was to ensure superhuman strength. Mort Hempel, my partner, watched this silly ritual with mouth agape and eyes exploding with fear.
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.
