Kevin Mahoney showing Pat and Aaron how it's done
Hanging Gardens - Frankenstein Cliff, NH
People often ask, "What do you do for training?" This question usually elicits the same answer - lots of cardiovascular endurance work, weight lifting, solid nutrition, blah, blah. While this is the basis of any solid mountaineering training regimen, sometimes, you have to have as much fun as possible to train for the mountains. Ice climbing has long been a passion of mine and offers a tremendous way to train both mind and body. Plus, it's a badass way of having fun in the winter. On Monday 2/16, Aaron Tardiff and myself were able to spend the day with Kevin Mahoney - a local guide based out of Madison, New Hampshire. (www.newhampshireiceclimbing.com).
We spent our day at Frankenstein Cliff in Crawford Notch, NH. More specifically, we were climbing in a particular arena known as 'The Hanging Gardens". Hiking up the path to this area was a mental shot - curtains of ice not quite touching the ground, including one free-standing pillar with a 3 inch gap in the middle of it! Kevin offered the sage advice and demonstrated the technique of how to climb ice of this nature. With multiple ropes and ascents going on (mostly by Aaron and Kevin as I forgot to pack my endurance Monday - still a blast though...), the day flew by.
The climax of the day was watching Kevin climb the 5+ "Without Reason" - essentially linking 3 separate blobs of ice together into 1 climb. Watching Kevin delicately maneuver the climb was impressive. Aaron Tardiff, my climbing partner for the last few years, seemed to be licking his chops in anticipation of stepping onto this climb. His face showed that there was no doubt he was going to accept anything less than topping out on this. With strength, determination, and some stellar coaching from Kevin, Aaron nailed it! Exhausted and a little shaky from the endeavor of sending the climb, Aaron was entirely elated the remainder of the day.
Aaron gettin' after it on the last of 3 icicles which forms "Without Reason" NEI 5+
Like any activity in the mountains, ice climbing is about who you spend your time with and how much fun you have. Enjoying friendships, the terrain, and of course, the activity itself make for a truly amazing day of training. When all of these variables blend together, it makes a day of training seem more like a day hanging out.
To see more pictures of ice escapades and hijinkx, check out: climbforcancercare.ning.com/pictures
-Pat
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