All posts by NEM Guides

Working With The Appalachian Mountain Club

We are extremely proud and honored to be working with the Appalachian Mountain Club to provide two incredible climbs this summer! Working with the AMC allows us to benefit from their world-class amenities and service and enhance our overnight packages.

The Appalachian Mountain Club promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region.

We believe these resources have intrinsic worth and also provide recreational opportunities, spiritual renewal, and ecological and economic health for the region. Because successful conservation depends on active engagement with the outdoors, we encourage people to experience, learn about, and appreciate the natural world. To learn more check them out online or like them on Facebook!

AMC PRESIDENTIAL TRAVERSE

summertraverse
When: Labor Day Weekend – Aug. 30 – Sept. 1, 2014
Where: Overnight at AMC Madison Spring Hut and AMC Lakes of The Clouds Hut
About: The alpine zone of the White Mountains of New Hampshire is a challenging yet stunning environment. Changeable weather is the name of the game in the White Mountains. Participants need to be prepared for all possibilities including sun, rain, cold, and wind.. A list of suggested clothing and equipment is provided in this packet. Participants should be good hiking shape and be prepared for an alpine adventure! Learn More Online

Space is Limited so Book Today!

AMC OVERNIGHT MT. WASHINGTON

overnightmtwashington
When: Fourth Of July Weekend – July 5-6, 2014
Where: Overnight at AMC Madison Spring Hut and AMC Lakes of The Clouds Hut
About: Experiencing the alpine zone of the White Mountains of New Hampshire is a special treat. Join us on this guided adventure as we explore this challenging yet stunning environment. The highest mountain in the Northeast! Mt. Washington towers over its neighbors at an elevation of 6,288ft. It is also known for erratic weather and extremely strong winds. A climb of Mt. Washington in the winter is a serious undertaking and will incorporate all of your mountaineering knowledge. Participants should be in good physical shape with prior hiking experience.

Changeable weather is the name of the game in the White Mountains. Participants need to be prepared for all possibilities including sun, rain, cold, and wind. A list of suggested clothing and equipment is provided in this packet. Participants should be good hiking shape and be prepared for an alpine adventure! Learn More Online

Space is Limited so Book Today!

Looking forward to climbing with you this summer!

Ice Climbing Conditions

IMG_0432[1]-2We had a productive weekend of ice climbing! The weekend before last, just about everything was in on Mt. Willard and Mt. Webster, however we had a warm-up and some rain mid-week that took out a lot of the ice. The good news is that with all of that moisture followed by Saturday and Sunday’s cool temperatures meant the ice was building once again. There were only a few routes that were in this weekend but we made the best of them. On Saturday we climbed a spicy Left Hand Monkey Wrench (fat on bottom and a bit of rock/ice on top) to the cleft. Due to the nature of the cleft we waited quite a while before starting up so we didn’t get pummeled by falling ice from the party above. The ice was brittle but the route was fairly fat.
On Sunday we climbed the slabs below the cleft which had plenty of good ice to be climbed. We considered climbing Upper Hitchcock which we scouted the day before but was told the upper pitch of it wasn’t looking too great. We decided to shoot up the cleft again. This time, the ice was even fatter and we had a wonderful climb to the top.
It looks like this week will bring a lot of precipitation and cold temps so we will be in great shape when the weekend rolls around. Here is our report from last weekends climbing on Willard..

Note: The approach gully from the tracks to lower hitchcock is a mix of running water, ice, and vergalassed rock. It was a bit of a nuisance to get up unless you wear your crampons or microspikes. The descent trail off Willard is 100% ice so crampons or microspikes are essential.

Left Hand Monkey Wrench – IN but a little trickier than usual at the top.
Slabs to the right of LHMW – IN
Lower Hitchcock – not sure but probably a bit thin.
Upper Hitchcock – Lower pitch is IN but the top-out is sketchy.
The Cleft – IN
East Face Slabs – IN
East Face Slabs Right – IN

Other things will be building this week.

BLACK FRIDAY DEAL

Checking out the views as the clouds part near the summit.

.


BLACK FRIDAY DEAL:
-Two consecutive days of climbing for two people with all gear included.
-For use this winter.
-Only $400!
Use this for ice climbing, Mt. Washington, a mountaineering course, or anything else we offer! This is well below 50% off. Must be used for two consecutive days of climbing, must be used before April 2014. You can purchase this deal by the end of the day on Sunday and have your Christmas shopping done!