WOW, we made it to 25-12-25! Yup, it's Christmas Day, and only a scant few days away from a whole new year... And honestly I do admit that I am anxious to flip the switch. 2025 has been good in some very small ways I suppose, but it's certainly brought many challenges. Both on a global and personal level.
The MWV Ice Fest is considered one of the premier climbing events in the country. For over 33 years it has provided a great opportunity for those attending to network, socialize, try new gear and participate in multiple day courses, one-day technical clinics and privately guided climbs. Don't miss it!
Feb 5 - Feb 8, 2026 in North Conway, NH.
Our Current Review
AVALANCHE DREAMS: A Memoir of Skiing, Climbing and Life
Louis Dawson describes his life in six sections with each one representing a different era of his life. The forty-three short chapters flow smoothly and keep the reader wanting to explore one more episode at each reading.
Chia -
WI 3
You can climb Chia in two short pitches, or a single long one with 60 meter ropes. The ramp is usually the easiest variation. The vertical curtain on the right side, Chia Direct, does at 4+.
And what joy, think ye, did they feel after the exceeding long and troublous ascent? - after scrambling, slipping, pulling, pushing, lifting, gasping, looking, hoping, despairing, climbing, holding on, falling off, trying, puffing, loosing, gathering, talking, stepping, grumbling, anathemising, scraping, hacking, bumping, jogging, overturning, hunting, straddling, - for know you that by these methods alone are the most divine mysteries of the Quest reached.
—Norman Collie, 1894, from the Scottish Mountainering Journal
Mid December climbers on Standard Route at Frankenstein
Crawford Notch
Selected Ice Conditions effective December 29, 2025
The ice we are getting right now is from the frikking Ice Storm. It's a mess out there folks. But the ice on the cliffs is building and will continue to do so. There is finally water in the system now and it's going to be getting COLD this week. We should be in good shape very soon.
Huntington Ravine
Odels good, Pinnacle & Central thin
Repentance
well, it certainly is building
Standard Route
IN
Dracula
IN
For the full current conditions report, CLICK
HERE
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One Of Our Articles: Getting Your (Ice) Rack Together
Ice racks are personal, like fine cars and wives. Every climber's rack is different, and putting one together can be as easy or as complicated as you like. Here's a few tips on putting one together that will do most of what you'll need here in New England.
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.
