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Well folks you wanted it, so we sure got it... SNOW that is! It was probably 10" here at Cathedral Ledge, more the further up the road you go. Of course there is more up in the Notches.
BLACK DIKE INCIDENT:
I personally know 3 people who have gotten avalanched out of the Dike in almost the same location. All have had some sort of injury. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned here? I suppose it's possible.
Two Climber’s Assisted from Avalanche
Franconia, NH: At 12:15 PM on Sunday, February 16, 2025 the NH Fish and Game Department was notified of two climbers that requested assistance. The climbers were involved in an avalanche off Cannon Cliffs in Franconia State Park. A male and female climber had planned to ice climb the Black Dike climbing route and began to hike in at 8:00 AM from the Lafayette Campground Parking lot. Once the pair reached the base of the climbing route the snow gave away underneath them causing an avalanche. The male slid approximately 300 feet before coming to a stop and was partially buried. The female, who was uninjured was able to call 911. While on the phone with 911 she was able to locate her friend waving downslope. Eventually she was able to hike down to the male and offered assistance out of the snow. Though the male suffered injuries they were able to slowly self- evacuate toward the trail.
Members of the volunteer Pemi Search and Rescue Team were driven to the trail via snowmachine by a NH Conservation Officer and members of the Cannon Mountain Ski Patrol. Initial contact with the climbers was made by the rescue team at approximately 1:45 PM. The climbers were identified as Vincent Lapointe, 31, of Montgomery Center, VT and Zephi Friel, 36, of Concord, NH. The climbers were given a ride by snowmobile back to the awaiting Littleton Ambulance arriving at 1:52 PM. Though Lapointe suffered an unknown injury, he refused medical assistance and chose to be driven to the hospital by Friel.
Interesting chapter from Laura Waterman's new book, especially with the bit about the avalanche at the Dike!
Selected Ice Conditions effective January 28, 2026
Overall there is a LOT of ice out there right now. From everything I hear, the better conditions are in the sun where the ice can get plastic. Stuff in the. Shade is hard, brittle, and it's not getting refreshed like we all would like.
Huntington Ravine
numerous options
Repentance
been done
Standard Route
GOOD
Dracula
IN & fat
For the full current conditions report, CLICK
HERE
Here are some of the pictures from Thursday. For ALL of the pictures and full Conditions Report go to the Ice Conditions page.
MUSICAL NOTES:
I'll be at the Majestic Cafe on Friday with guitarist Jarrod Taylor and drummer Tim Gilmore for 2 sets of trio jazz 7-9. Then on Saturday The Jim McLaughlin Group will be at Ledge Brewing for the Backcountry Ski event 7:30 start.
VALLEY CYCLING:
As of Thursday the Marshall and Rogers Crossing have not been re-groomed after the big storm. This hopefully will happen by the weekend. The warmer temps coming up should allow for a more firm and stable base. 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.
