The Railroad Cut - Mixed/Steep Ice Climbing

Met up with some folks for the Mixed/Steep Ice Climbing Clinic put on by the AMC-NH Mountaineering group. 

Railroad Cut, NH – Ice Climbing

Railroad Cut

SW4-Cheshire North Rail Trail

Keene, NH

AMC-NH Mountaineering

Got to work on my climbing technique and also do some mock leading. Joined Tom Sintros and Ben Greene of the AMC-NH Mountaineering group to do some laps on lots of vertical ice at The RR Cut in Keene, NH! At one point there were two dozen climbers and a dozen ropes set up for 5 hours of climbing. Great to see many old climbing buddies, also met many new folks! Just a few photos taken by Cristina and I - I managed to get in 12 laps so not many photos taken. Thanks Jason (aka Mtn Man) and Dave for the belays! And Mahalo nui loa to Tom and Ben for the great day! :) 

A bit of mock leading

"Even us New England ice climbers love Island Princess chocolates!"

says Tom Sintros.

Michelle kicking it to the top!

Sticks and ice...endless fun day for cute pup, Roscoe!

Railroad Cut – Ice Climbing

Railroad Cut – Ice Climbing
SW4-Cheshire North Rail Trail
Keene, NH
AMC-NH Mountaineering Group
AMC-NH Ice Climbing Clinic 

Today’s ice climbing clinic was full of info including gear info. I had the chance to try out some Petzl Quark Ice Axes and they proved to be a good choice for me. But the most exciting bit of key info I took home with me today was technique and I got to practice climbing without kicking. I also used existing hand holds to place my tools. 

I took the ice climbing clinic with Tom Sintros (amC Leader) of the AMC-NH Mountaineering Group. I’ve been an AMC member for two years now and this was my first AMC-NH clinic that I joined up for. It  was my first visit to the Railroad Cut and I was amazed at the amount of fat ice in just this one spot….glorious! Railroad Cut is just that….a cut in the hill for a railroad passage. It’s part of the Cheshire Rail Trail located just off of Route 12 in Keene, NH. There are several railroad cuts throughout New Hampshire, but this particular cut has consistent ice.

The area is in total shade and very cold so hot tea and a warm, down jacket (as well as chocolate) can add to the day’s fun. Top ropes were set up on 4 flows and I was able to make several climbs on 3 flows. It was a fantastic day and I met other AMC members and got tons of info from Tom as well as his co-leader George. George, by the way, is a wealth of information and put up all the existing anchors and bolts along The Cut. For more information on the AMC-NH Mountaineering Group, visit their website at http://amc-nh.org/committee/mountaineering/index.php 

Enjoy some photos I took of ice climbing the Railroad Cut! 

The Ramp (on the right)

Nick with Tom on his belay

 Jon with Don on his belay - George looking on

Ever wonder what the railroad construction crew

did with all the rock removed from the cut?

A lot of it went into a cut stone retaining wall

between the Railroad Cut and the Rt. 12 bridge.