February 9, 2018
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- Audrey Simonson gets a first taste of New Hampshire ice climbing (Eric Simonson)
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- IMG guide Craig John getting ready to lead out from the belay (Eric Simonson)
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- Audrey Simonson, George Malpass, Eric Simonson, Mike Thompson, Craig John, and Scott Williamson hanging out at the IME shop in North Conway (Mike Thompson)
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- IMG guide Dan Riethmuller putting in a V-Thread anchor (Eric Simonson)
This past weekend was the 25th Annual Ice Fest in North Conway, NH and I was fortunate to have the chance to travel from Washington State and do some ice climbing. It started with a swing by Holderness School to pick up daughter Audrey, who is a senior. Then, we headed over to North Conway to link up with IMG guides Craig John and Dan Riethmuller for a fun weekend of ice climbing and general festivities. It was great to see my old friend Rick Wilcox again at his IME shop in North Conway. Rick and I climbed Mt Everest the same day (5/15/91) with Rick coming up from the South and me (and George Dunn) from the North. We also ran into Mike, Scott, and George who summited Rainier with Craig, Audrey, and me last year.  This was my first time ice climbing back east, and Audrey’s first time ever (other than the Kautz Route on Rainier). We had a blast! It was cold (glad we brought big down parkas) and wintery and there was ice everywhere. For me it was very memorable to see the famous Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges (cliffs).  These crags are iconic, some of the most famous in American climbing history, and the home of some of our best climbers.  Add a Super Bowl party at the Nereledge Inn (thanks, Steve) and it was a 5-star weekend! It’s always fun to go to a new place, and when you can do it with some old and new friends, so much the better. One more tick off my bucket list!
Eric Simonson