Climbing and hiking in NH?

We are looking to plan a vacation to NH in the early to mid-July time frame. We would like to rent a house that is convenient to both rock climbing (top roping) and hiking. We will be somewhere between 4 and 10 people over the course of a 10-day vacation, with people coming and going during that time.

Our group consists of a mix of adults and older teenagers (18-21). Many in the group are serious indoor climbers and work at or frequently visit our local climbing gym. They all have experience outdoors both bouldering and top roping but are looking to get some more experience in outdoor climbing. However, the equipment and skill requirements for traditional or sport climbing are probably beyond us, although we may hire a guide for a day to give that a try.

As for hiking, we%26#39;ll have a mix of appetites for that. My husband is a *serious* hiker (Nepal, Patagonia, Alps, Kilmanjaro, etc.) and can easily do 6-8 hours of hiking in a day. Others in our group are more interested in 2-3 hour hikes.

We have been advised that one of the best places for top roping is the N. Conway area. However, we also want to be near good hiking. We%26#39;re not into the tourist or shopping scene - we just want to get into the outdoors without a lot of driving and have a nice house to bed in at night.

I also love white water rafting (class 3+-4) so if that%26#39;s a possibility in early/mid-July, I%26#39;d like advice on that also.

Bottom line - where%26#39;s the best place to look for a house that meets all the above criteria? If people have recommendations for local real estate agents who can help with finding a house, I would be eternally grateful.

Climbing and hiking in NH?

Queenmab100-

The only natural ';climbing'; structures that I am aware of is in the Rumney area. I am sure there are others, just not somwething I am familar about.

White water - if your looking for that strong of a current, you%26#39;ll need to get into ME, as NH does not have serious white water on that scale.

Travel Well!

Tazman

Climbing and hiking in NH?

queenmab,

There are a number of spots near North Conway that are good for climbing, including White Horse Ledge. There%26#39;s also some fantastic hiking in the area, with trails starting just a couple miles outside of town.

As Tazman said, Rumney is also a great place for climbing and hiking.

A good group to ask about climbing opportunities would be the EMS climbing school, which is based in North Conway. They%26#39;d be able to give you good advice on spots that would fit the ability levels and preferences of everyone in your family. Their website is www.emsclimb.com; there%26#39;s not a lot of info on there about actual sites, but I bet if you rang them up they%26#39;d have more info.

Re: white water rafting: again, Tazman had good advice - if you%26#39;re looking for serious rafting, NH is not the place.

There are a number of climbing locales in the NC area. My daughter has climbed at White Horse ledge and across from the Pinkham Notch center which has incredible views across the street to MW. We have hired a guide from EMS both times and she has had a great time. There is a second climbing school as well, name escapes me but a quick google will locate it. I am sure it is quite good as well.

There is great hiking of all levels (maybe not Patagonian level) throughout the White Mountains. I would suggest that you look at some of the hiking/climbing books that are readily available on Amazon or at the larger book stores. Can%26#39;t help with the ';not wanting a lot of driving'; because there will probably be alot of driving depending on your definition of ';alot';. (From Jackson, there is a tremendous amount of hiking/climbing within a 1/2 hour 45 minute drive in various directions)

As for the whitewater rafting, it is a few hours away, which has kept me from going on my vacations cause I just don%26#39;t want to get up that early.

Check out vrbo.com or cyberrentals.com for house rentals in Glen/Bartlett/Jackson.

Mt Wash is a great hike and has dozens of different routes. There are whole books written just about hiking it from different directions as well as the other Presidential peaks.

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