New to Concord, New Hampshire

I just moved to Concord from Wyoming. I'm excited to go check out Rumney and other crags in the area. I have a rope(s), sport rack, trad rack.

Are there south facing crags around that are accessible earlier than others? I've looked around at photos and seen some dated from late february. Anyone want to give me the scoop on winter rock crags and/or when Rumney opens up?

Some good yahoos up there that get out during the winter months. You'll definitely find them. Main cliff is good in February.

Best of luck man.

You can find rock to climb at Rumney on just about any sunny day with milder temps in the winter. A handful of the climbs at Waimea are almost always dry.

I'm good at dealing with wet rock but what about the approaches? I'm used to having to skin to crags in the winter. Is snow at the belay not an issue? What about on approach trails? I haven't been up to Rumney yet (work, weather) so if I sound clueless, thats why.

It definitely can be a slog up to Main Cliff and, particularly, Waimea in winter conditions--the trails are quite steep--definitely not meant for skinning up!!!!As mentioned above, these cliffs are climbed on a lot in winter so the trails are likely pretty well used even with snow unless right after a storm. Given how warm it has been this past week, it is quite likely that much of these trails are on bare ground, though with the current unset of colder weather undoubtedly some icey sections will be encountered, some in places where a fall will not be pleasant, so be careful if you head up there. The Meadows, Parking Lot Wall and 5.8 Crag have much shorter and easier approaches but are more likely to be wet. Rumney is one of those crags where, at this time of year, you can have folks ice climbing and rock climbing in close proximity to each other at the same time.

Nick, welcome to Concord. Have you checked out Vinnie's pizza yet? It's the best.

Several other crags can come into shape early as well- Airation Buttress on Cathedral, parts of Whitehorse S buttress (sometimes falling ice),,Sundown and of course lots of stuff in the lake Winnepasukee area

I lived in Francestown for a couple of years and was generally too busy with work to range far afield very often. I used to just run over to Joe English Hill nearby and solo around for a couple of hours when I couldn't stand it any more. I think nowadays they've also developed some bouldering on Mt. Monadnock nearby.

where in WYO were you??

Dare I say Shell Pond?

Also, Humphrey's can dry out rather quickly.

Dhane???

Yes?

Nick Goldsmith wrote:where in WYO were you??

Lived in jackson for a year 81-82 we were there for a few weeks this summer and hit wild Iris as well.

Nick Grant wrote:Nick, welcome to Concord. Have you checked out Vinnie's pizza yet? It's the best.