I got the opportunity to introduce 4 guys to the joy of winter climbing over at Cathedral Ledge today. We covered a wide range of topics from self-arrest to roped climbing.
Excellent meeting you all. Best of luck on your future climbing endeavors!
Author: David Lottmann
Ice Climbing 201 on 2-8-11
Maren and Devin drove over from Maine for a day of ice climbing at Frankenstein Cliffs in Crawford Notch.
Good day out with you guys, hope to see you again sometime!
Summit & Swing!
Five med-students from NYC took a well deserved couple of days off from their studies to come up to North Conway to summit Mount Washington and get a taste of waterfall ice climbing the following day. We had excellent weather for our summit attempt (successful), and despite the crowds yesterdat we had plenty of ice to climb. A good two days indeed!
“Summit & Swing” is a new 1 and a half day program. We climb Mt. Washington on Day 1, then do a half-day of ice climbing on Day 2. This is offered to give those who need to drive aways home a chance to do more than just a day with us. For more info check out http://www.emsclimb.com or call 800-310-4504!
Backcountry Ski Guide Training
Yesterday Ethan, Keith, and I went up the western side of Mount Washington to go over the Backcountry 101 Course Curriculum and work on some of the course details. Check the video out (in Hi-Def if you can), and check out http://www.emsski.com for info on the backcountry ski programs we offer!
Avalanche Course 1-28-11 to 1-30-11
Another great Avalanche Course ended yesterday. The mid-winter snowpack is providing us with lots to see and learn as we develop the skills necessary to safely travel in the backcountry.
There’s still time to sign up for a course this season! Check out http://www.emsclimb.com/aiare1.html and check the available dates. So far we have been fully booked for each course so call early!
Avalanche Course
Another 3 day AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course came to a successful close yesterday. Multiple snow storms have started giving us a nice variable snowpack with interesting layers and observations to be made.
There’s still time to sign up for a course this season! Check out http://www.emsclimb.com/aiare1.html and check the available dates. So far we have been fully booked for each course so call early!
Avalanche Course
The second Avalanche Course of the season ended yesterday. While we did not have a deep snow base the Avy Danger was “Considerable” during our field day and we were able to make some great observations! If you are thinking it’s time to learn about Avalanches go to http://www.emsclimb.com/aiare1.html and check the available dates. So far we have been fully booked for each course so call early!
Ice Climbing Mt. Willard 1-4-2011
Katie and Matt, two EMS employees from the Harvard Square store in Cambridge, MA came up for a couple days of climbing. This past Tuesday I got to take them up Mt. Willard via a fun slab to the right of Left Hand Monkey Wrench, and then up “The Cleft”, one of my favorite geological features in the Whites. Check it out!
New Years Eve on the Summit of Mt. Washington!
For the second year in a row I have had the pleasure of co-leading a special overnight trip for the Mount Washington Observatory with my wife, Michelle. This event is an amazing educational, adventurous, and culinary experience. Yes, I said culinary.
Observatory members (and brain-childs of this event) John Bauhs and Ed O’Malley volunteer their time and expertise to present a 9 course gourmet meal that easily makes this one of my most memorable meals ever. The fact that it is shared on the summit with a tight knit Observatory Staff and supporters make it all the more special. Enjoy the slideshow, and Happy New Year!
12-28 to 12-30 Level 1 Avalanche Course
Just before the first avalanche course of the season we got a great Nor’ Easter that dumped about 18″ on the mountain. Just in time!
We have a course scheduled for just about every weekend of the winter but they fill up well in advance. If you are planning on spending time in avalanche terrain and haven’t taken a course yet now is the time!
Course details at this link: