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January 29, 2026
Hi Folks,
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'...
http://www.neclimbs.com/wmr_pix/20260129/snow.jpg
http://www.neclimbs.com/wmr_pix/20260129/SacoRiver.jpg
http://www.neclimbs.com/wmr_pix/20260129/diagonal.jpg
http://www.neclimbs.com/wmr_pix/20260129/Unicorn.jpg
http://www.neclimbs.com/wmr_pix/20260129/Unicorn.jpg
http://www.neclimbs.com/wmr_pix/20260129/blackPudding.jpg
http://www.neclimbs.com/wmr_pix/20260129/Frankenstein_Amphitheater.jpg
http://www.neclimbs.com/wmr_pix/20260129/Frankenstein_RightSide.jpg
http://www.neclimbs.com/wmr_pix/20260129/MtWillard.jpg
http://www.neclimbs.com/wmr_pix/20260129/LHMW.jpg
http://www.neclimbs.com/wmr_pix/20260129/MtWillard_UpperTier.jpg
ALERT: ...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST FRIDAY...
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.
https://mountwashington.org/weather/regional-weather/mount-washington-valley-weather/
https://www.rainwise.net/weather/wdc
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.
https://www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/
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
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".
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:
http://www.neclimbs.com/mobile
Check it out and if you have issues on your specific phone, please feel free to let me know.
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:
http://www.facebook.com/NEClimbs/
Remember - climb hard, ride the steep stuff, stay safe and above all BE NICE,
Al Hospers
The White Mountain Report
North Conway, New Hampshire
| Now days the amount of ice doesn't matter. Just go do it!
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| Doug Madara |
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