[TR] Kinsman Notch New Hampshire - Various 12/23/2012

[mountainmatt]

Trip: Kinsman Notch New Hampshire - Various

 

Date: 12/23/2012

 

Trip Report:

The cold conditions have been slow to arrive to the east coast, but luckily the ice had come in just enough by the time my friends Stewart and Courtney were making their way out here for the holidays. We met up at about 6AM in Concord, NH. Stewart and Courtney had two friends visiting from New Zealand that had lugged ice gear across the pond as well. After sorting some gear, we jumped into a Subaru and headed up to Kinsman Notch.

 

The ice was difficult to see from the road, but the approach was short so we just cruised up to take a look. Although the ice was thin, there were several routes that were climbable. Stewart took a lead up Leprechauns Lament (WI2/2+) while Courtney and the Kiwis went to set a TR on Shamrock (WI3+/4-). We all took several laps up each of the routes and had a pretty nice day overall. We ended the day by scouting conditions up near Franconia Notch and grabbing beers at the Woodstock Brewery.

 

 

Packing up da caaaa:

 

 

The base of Shamrock:

 

 

Stewart leading Leprechauns Lament:

 

 

Courtney on the start of Shamrock:

 

 

Woodstock brewery:

 

Gear Notes:

Ice screws and trees

 

Approach Notes:

Right out of the parking lot, follow the line of least resistance to the base.

[mountainsloth]

nice matt. that was quite literally my first taste of ice climbing. i had a pair of leather boots, strap-on, flexible crampons, and no idea what i was doing. thanks for the good memories!

p.s. woodstock inn is classic post climbing destination

[OlympicMtnBoy]

It was a neat area and a nice short drive from Concord where C's parents live. I gotta say I liked having things dry out even after getting soaked in the drips. Somehow that never happens out west. ;-) Thanks for coming up to hang out Matt!