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We have a ton of moisture in the system right now, which of course is a MAJOR plus. Of course it came in the form of 18+ inches of fine white powder. Enough that I had to get out raking my roof a big part of Wednesday. [SIGH] Now that that's done, the main issue right now is how cold it is. Temps today (Thursday) will struggle to get in the teens, and will drop well below zero Thursday night.
While not nearly as cold as it was 3 years ago over Ice Fest weekend, negative 30 if you remember, it's lasted much longer. This cold spell is going to continue at least through Sunday. After that, prediction wise, it's a crap shoot of course. However everything points to cold nights and daytime temps just below freezing. WOO WOO... Exactly what we want and need for a super Ice Fest. There is some talk about another big storm starting Sunday or Monday, but that's still not certain at this time. And honestly it really won't have a negative effect on Ice Fest since everything should be settled out by opening day on Thursday. And honestly the storm should be bringing some warmer temps, which is a positive on all levels.
It's important to be avalanche aware right now. Cinema, the slope below Great Madness, the slab right of LHMW, both Cascades and Shoestring seems to be fully loaded! You know there is something going on when 3 days after a big storm the Mt Webster Trail is untracked! Just sayin'...
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
Upper-level troughing will persist over the eastern US through the forecast period. One last shot of cold air moves in through Thursday night and lingers into the first half of the weekend.
A repetitive frigid and windy weather pattern will set up over New England to end the work week as a deep upper-level low remains established over the eastern United States. With no organized systems moving through, skies look to remain partly to mostly clear through much of the forecast period, with dry conditions looking to persist into the weekend. Winds will increase through the day as low-pressure strengthens well offshore and Canadian high pressure builds in to our west. As winds pick up, cold air advection will strengthen, allowing bitterly cold air to move in from the northwest. Similar to previous nights, tonight’s low temperatures are expected to remain well below seasonal averages, bottoming out around 5 below. Exposure risks will remain very elevated throughout the forecast period as a result of gusty winds and below-zero low temperatures, with a Cold Weather Advisory in effect until 10 AM Friday morning.
MW AVALANCHE CENTER:
MODERATE - You could trigger a large and destructive avalanche in east-facing terrain above 3000 ft. Warning signs will be limited, though hard slabs may sound hollow and drum-like underfoot. Look for pillowy smooth drifts on steep slopes to identify areas of potentially unstable snow and travel on textured snow surfaces to limit your exposure.
MUSICAL NOTES
I'm playing duo with Jarrod Taylor at the Wentworth Inn in Jackson 5:30-7:30. This is really a fun gig with a master guitarist. There is a LOT of musical conversation going on with this pairing.
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:
Everything, and I do mean everything, was groomed and firm prior to the snowstorm which changed it all. The light fluffy powder that's so nice for skiing, really sux for biking. So it's going to take at least several daze for things to get to a point that the trails can be groomed again. The best snow for fat bike grooming is actually that dense & moisture filled snow. The fact that it hasn't gotten above freezing for a week, and won't for the rest of this week. So I guess the advice once again is to "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.
