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Black Fly Season started in NH? Trying to figure out where to climb this weekend

Original Post
Ming · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 1,955

Hi guys,
Are the black flies out in force now? Just want to know what the black flies conditions are across the different climbing destinations.

Overall I'm leaning towards Cannon/Echo to climb this weekend, but I'm curious to the Kancamagus crags, some of the backcountry stuff like The Captain (probably horrible right?), North Conway, and as a final backup Rumney.

Thanks!

M Sprague · · New England · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 5,090

If you were up there yesterday and today, things would probably be great; below freezing at night and 50-60 highs in some places. The nights probably put a setback on them for a short while. Other than that, they seemed to have been out in the lower elevations and especially the usual spots like Pway, so we are in the season.

I was out at Owls off the Kanc (~2800' elev)and when I was coming out Monday last week I just started noticing a few black flies in the air, but not biting, nothing at all Sat and Sun. Usually they would be getting bad by now, so heading out to the Captain in the height of bug season is probably not going to be fun unless you have a high tolerance. I'll head back to Owls soon and I will post up on NEClimbs. I'm going armed for bear with a full bug jacket in case. It could be a short miserable trip.

It is pretty day by day as a bit of rain and then warm sun can get the clouds of bugs hatching, but earlier it was looking like we might be lucking out with thinner numbers this year.

If the bugs are out hard, Owls is horrible, Greens not quite as bad, but the hike in is very buggy. The Captain sounds pretty awful bug-wise. Parts of Rumney are probably the best. Woodchuck might be bearable, relatively speaking. It would be a shame to make your first trips out to the backcountry cliffs in the height of bug season and have that color your impression

john strand · · southern colo · Joined May 2008 · Points: 1,640

The captain has had the worst bugs ever, and i mean ever. You MIGHT luck out this time of year though, but watch out for ice fall..we had good ice during the f/a's on Mem Day but..

trybartlett- haystack...easy approach and some nice lines

Ming · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 1,955

Thanks guys. So I'm leaning towards Cannon right now. Would that be wise? Thinking of checking out mountainproject.com/v/our-m…

So 2 years ago I was checking out Eagle Bluff in Clifton and was literally chased out by black flies - my wife was crying. There was a ring of bites around her ankles that looked like tattoos and they hurt and itch at the same time. My forhead looked like a Jackson Pollock painting. It was that bad.

Paul H · · Pennsylvania · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 5

As someone not native to the area - how long are the black flies bad for?

Brendan Blanchard · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 590

I was at Rumney yesterday, they weren't horrendous, but in shady places without breeze (5.8 Crag) they were getting bad. Main Cliff center was good in the breeze and sun, A&D wall was a little buggy but not as bad as 5.8 Crag.

S. Neoh · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 35

I think all the "roadside" and shaded crags are going to be bad for another 3~4 weeks. Think Jimmy and Crow's Nest altho they are going to be hot this weekend.

tommyguns · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 320

I wouldn't go anywhere at this point without a bug head net (they're cheap) a white long sleeve shirt and thin nylon pants. Works great if it's not too hot.

M Sprague · · New England · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 5,090

If you can get a mesh bug jacket (maybe $20, comes with the hood attached), they really help. Wear a billed hat underneath to keep it off your face. Then you only need to pour on the DEET on the ankles and wrists. You can get away with no shirt or a short one if it is hot then.

JohnnyG · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 10

as a general rule: black fly season is worst from mothers day to fathers day. Told to me by an old time vermonter, and it seems pretty accurate.

FWIW Cannon is not exactly a haven. I've been chomped there as bad as anywhere. I understand they like running water, generally steep streams, and I suspect the runoff on the cliff is perfect habitat.

Cannon is the only place I've been where there were so many bugs I didn't realize it started raining.

Steve Thomas · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 30

North Conway hasn't been terrible as soon as you get a pitch or two off the ground. Down in the trees and shade, the bugs are flying around (I haven't been getting bitten too much).

joshua corbett · · Wolfeboro NH · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 3,015

No bugs out at longstack

Eric G. · · Saratoga Springs, NY · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 70
mountainproject.com/v/escap…

There is no escape.
John Halupowski · · Intervale, N.H. · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 1,752

Climbed at Cathedral yesterday and Whitehorse today, no flies seen yesterday one bite today.

Dan Felix · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 35

They've been biting in the Ossipee area for a few weeks now. That being said, they certainly have not been as bad this year as they have the last couple of years. Possibly due to the dry weather up until last weekend. I can't honestly say how bad they are right now- the last few days at work I've been on the waterfront on Great East lake building a deck and the wind has kept them at bay, haven't used any bug spray. How they are up in the Conway area I do not know.

Rich Brereton · · Pownal, ME · Joined May 2009 · Points: 175

Zero black flies at Cannon this past Saturday.

Travis Dustin · · Mexico Maine · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 1,665

No black flies around crawford notch over the weekend!

Ming · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 1,955

Around 20 bites for me from Rumney - went out to NW Territories and Prudential on Saturday. Not bad but not great either. Always forget how much black fly bites itches.

Kevin Dale · · Denver · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 105

Any recent reports on the black fly situation at Whitehorse or Cathedral?

M Sprague · · New England · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 5,090

The BugCon on NEClimbs got bumped up to 3 out of 5. The big storm over the start of the weekend set them back, but they were coming back with a vengeance Tuesday late afternoon out at Owls off the Kanc.

John Halupowski · · Intervale, N.H. · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 1,752

Climbed on Whitehorse slabs Thurs 5/30. Beautiful day, saw 1 blackfly just before it died.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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