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If you listen to other people tell you what's in good shape, or not, you certainly run the risk of getting yourself in over your head. While that's more often the case in ice season, it can take place on the rock just as well. Hmmm… George Hurley came over this morning to go climbing and I'd figured we'd go over to the Geriatric Walls at Humphrey's to get a variety of pitches of different types. However, he'd heard from a friend, that their other friend had said that Three Birches was dry. That's pretty rare for this time of year and that was enough for George, so off we went!
At the base of the climb we both commented that while it wasn't overtly seeping, it didn't really look "dry". But, George was still up for it and I was happy to let him have a go. I guess I first did Three Birches in '88 or '89 with John Gonoza, a friend from Boston. When I followed it I thought it was stout, but not ridiculous. Of course I was 25 years younger, 30 pounds lighter and had no real sense of the grades. When I led it myself several years later, I couldn't believe it was "only" 5.8, but I managed it OK. As the years have gone by I've felt that it's gotten slicker and of course now I know that it was never really 5.8. But then, that's Cathedral grades for ya!
George still climbs hard, but he has a bit greater aversion to risk than he had in his youth. In this case when things didn't feel that good to him he pulled on a piece here and there to get through. At 78, and with 2 bionic knees, I surely don't begrudge him those points of aid. Of course I watched him float numerous grade IV ice climbs this winter and I know that earlier in the week he had followed Cold Day In Hell and led the crack pitch on Hotter Than Hell. So I know the man can still do-the-doo!
Then it was my turn, so I headed up pitch 2. There's a few so-so moves up some flakes to a really nice finger crack, then you layback a nice but somewhat unprotected flake that takes you to a small niche at the base of a headwall. The moves over the little headwall definitely keep your attention, especially since your gear is all down below your feet. And then after all that, the little unprotected slab, tho not difficult, will server as a bit of a stung in the tail. It's always surprising how heady unprotected 5.6 slab can feel with your gear 30' below you! Needless to say, George followed all of it in good style.
We were using this as a warmup for our trip to the Gunks next week. We went for 2 days last fall, but this time we're going for 4 and it's going to be a great time as long as the weather holds out. Of course that means that the White Mountain Report for next week won't come out until Friday afternoon. I'm going to try and post some short comments about our shenanigans on the NEClimbs forum while we're away, so check in there if you're interested.
Local Boys Make Good:
Check this article about local guides Peter Doucette and Silas Rossi. These guys are really pushing it…
Selected Ice Conditions effective November 27, 2025
There is minimal snow up in Crawford Notch. The pictures below are from Wednesday. While I drove through the notch today, I didn't bring a camera. However there is substantially less ice up there than there was yesterday. Mid day Wednesday it was 46 degrees at the Dry River Campground and 41 at the Highland Center. It rained a bit overnight as well. Today it was 40 at the Center! I have seen some great pictures of Pinnacle Gully from earlier in the week, but none from yesterday or today. That said, things will most certainly get better as the weekend goes on.
Huntington Ravine
UNKNOWN
Repentance
OUT
Standard Route
OUT
Dracula
OUT
For the full current conditions report, CLICK
HERE
Instant Bug Report:
There are lots of bugs out there, but the mosquitoes and blackflies don't seem to be biting yet. HOWEVER, the ticks are pretty bad right now. While I was climbing at Cathedral on Thursday, I found 4 on me. My son has found them on him when he came in from walking the dog in the back woods. George says that in Sandwich where he lives he and his wife can't go outside without finding 3 or 4 on them when they return! Just be aware and do a thorough tick-check when you come in.
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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:
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