The Mount Washington Valley is known for all manner of outdoor activities: skiing, hiking, camping, kayaking, bird watching, hunting, fishing, etc. But this weekend, the Valley is famous for mountain biking and Festival 24. A Great Glenn mountain bike festival, Festival 24 takes the unusual juxtaposition of grueling physical endurance and child’s play and turns it into a popular weekend family festival.

The Mount Washington Valley’s summer Tour De Force, 24 Hours of Great Glen is punishing 24-hour mountain bike endurance race on a course that runs from Great Glen Base Lodge through the mountains between Jackson and Gorham New Hampshire. But unlike the Tour De France, 24 Hours of Great Glen features a tire-changing contest, a cheese doodle toss, a marshmallow stuffing contest, face painting, and a kids movie night.

You’ve got to see it to believe it.  Check out this Mount Washington Valley real estate listings overlooking the white Mountains.  Get inspired!

Jackson, NH land with mountain views.

Live here and redefine the phrase “Home field advantage…”

By Rona Ahearn     

Hanging off of a cliff, suspended by a rope? Sounds like fun doesn’t it!  Perhaps not for all, but there are tons of rock climbers in the Mt. Washington Valley and they are obsessed with it.

In fact, there’s so much rock climbing in the White Mountains that people travel from all over the world to scale the classic routes at Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges in North Conway. There’s such a rich history in this area for climbing, just check Ed Webster’s Rock Climbs in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. They go back to 1910.

You’ll find all types of routes, from beginner routes, like the one I did with my husband, Bob, at Square Ledge in Pinkham Notch, right across from Mt. Washington, and the coolest rock formation in Crawford Notch, Elephant Head to the serious routes in Huntington Ravine on Mt. Washington. Bob has to do those climbs without me.

Rock climbing and ice climbing is a sport that just about anyone can do. To do it correctly, it’s best to learn from the pros. Go with a guide and they’ll not only outfit you with instructions, but also with all the equipment you’ll need. There are tons of great guides in the area too.

Take a ride to Cathedral Ledge in the center of North Conway any day and you’ll find a nice place to sit and relax and watch the climbers on a popular route, Thin Air.

Check online with a web site that will keep you updated with area climbs, weather, and when summer approaches, the bug count, plus so much more info. It’s a must for all climbers in the area www.neclimbs.com.

Of course, when the snow falls and winter sports start up, we become an ice climbing mecca. It’s a great alternative to keep you going all winter long.