Indigenous Peoples' Day Weekend Climb - NH

Artist Bluff - Lovena, Jeni & Erika

What a great day for rock climbing in Franconia Notch and Waterville Valley! Jeni, Erika, and I  got out to do some multi-pitch rock climbing, top-roping, and sport leading. Artist Bluff was chilly, windy, and mobbed with leaf-peepers. But Russell Crag was warmer and quieter, especially in the late afternoon. Enjoy a short video of our day.

#girlswhoclimb #rockclimbing #multipitchclimbing #sportclimbing #toproping 

#artistbluff #franconianotch #cannonmountain #russellcrag #leafpeeping

Artist Bluff - Rock Climbing

A laid-back day, relaxing with friends and enjoying good climbing fun!

Fall climbing is one of my favorites and it was a treat to spend the day enjoying the fall temps and foliage of Artist Bluff in Franconia Notch! The "Bluff" is known for its moderate climbing routes and beautifully textured granite.

Kellie set up one top rope on the "Little Mona Lisa" cliff. We used that one rope to climb 4 different routes. Next to the cliff is the Bald Mountain-Artist Bluff Trail. There were many hikers coming down the trail, many stopping to watch us as we climbed! From the top of my climb, I'd call out and wave to the folks making their way down the trail. We offered a lot of folks a chance to climb, but all of them declined! LOL!  My digital camera was passed around that day so enjoy some photos taken by everyone, myself included, as well as Tammy Shennett! 

The day before I bagged the summit of Mt. Passaconway. Stayed the night at Steele Hill Resorts and the next morning this was the view! Low clouds covering Lake Winnipesaukee with the Belknap Range peeking above. I hiked that entire range earning my Belknap Range Hiker Badge!

It rained a bit but then it cleared up and we had sun for climbing the rest of the day!

 Echo Lake

 Profile and Echo Crag covered in low clouds

 What's a climb without some "posing fun!"

Artist's Bluff - Rock Climbing

Headed out to Echo Crag in the Franconia Notch this morning for some rock climbing! The sun was out  but Echo Crag was an ice block so we drove across the street to Artist's Bluff. We parked in the parking lot of the Echo Lake State Park and hiked the 10 minutes to the base of the cliff. Artist's Bluff was just the opposite of Echo Crag. It was sunny, windless and mild. The rock faced the sun and was not icy or wet at all. Personally, I didn't think it was too cold at all. Ropes were led on the Standard Route as well as the Right Side Route. We eventually had 3 ropes set up on the Standard Routes for top roping.

After climbing, Sally and I headed to the top of Artist's Bluff. The Little Monalisa cliff was packed with a group of climbers and there were many hikers making their way from the top of Artist's Bluff as well. This is a very easy hike to the top and with excellent views and once at the summit (2,320ft), I took a couple of photos. The views of Franconia Notch were stunning with fall colors. While the summits of Cannon, Flume, Liberty, Haystack, Lincoln and Lafayette were covered in snow! It was such a gorgeous contrast.

Franconia Notch from the Artist's Bluff summit (2)

Firefighters Rescue Exercise

Another climber setting up anchors at the top...

...Pretty anchors

My climb up the Standard Route (2)