ICE CLIMBING INFORMATION ARTICLES

New Hampshire Ice Climbing

Written by: cj apelo

photo from ABC-of-IceClimbing.com member alicecooper

The most fortunate climbers are probably those who are living in the Northeast. They have excellent climbing areas available during the winter months. Whether you are for a steep or low angle waterfall ice, the area has an abundant terrain well-suited for everyone. Beginners and experts who are looking for the ultimate winter challenge should come and visit Mount Washington Valley and the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire and try their excellent terrain.

The terrain here ranges from short top-rope problems to long multi-pitch ice and alpine climbs high up in the mountains and everything in between. Some of the most popular Ice Climbing sites in New Hampshire are:

Mount Washington
This has the highest point in the Northeast - standing at 6, 288 feet. It has an excellent assortment of ice and alpine climbing areas within its ravines. Its normal route to the summit also provides an excellent and challenging introduction to winter climbing.

Tuckerman Ravine
For a good source of early season ice, Tuckerman Ravine is the right place. It provides many opportunities for climbing low angle ice as early as mid-November. For moderate alpine snow climbs, this is a superb place for Ice Climbing.

Huntington Ravine
This begins with climbs like those in Tuckerman but Huntington Ravine also has a number of longer, more difficult, and more serious climbs. A fine mixture of routes can be found here. Some are all snow, some are ice, some involve rocks and others are a combination of all these. Located at the Huntington Ravine is the Pinnacle Gully, one of Northeast’s oldest and most sought-after ice climbs. Other classic alpine climbs such as Central Gully, Yale Gully, Damnation Gully, and Odell can also be found here.

Crawford Notch
This has an outstanding assortment of ice and alpine routes on both sides of the road. Located here is the Frankenstein Cliff, which has waterfall ice routes ranging from low angle and easy to very steep and difficult. Standard Route, Pegasus, Dracula, and Chia are some of the classic steep ice climbs in the area.

Another great Ice Climbing area in the Crawford Notch is Willey’s Slide. It is a big, wide, low angle ice slope. The climb is pretty exciting with excellent views across the Webster Cliffs.

If you are looking for more challenging and breathtaking routes, you can try out what New Hampshire has to offer. Surely, you’re in for one excellent climbing experience.