Despite the intermittent trickling of water underfoot, the conditions on 1/30 were decent enough for Max and I to take a cautious morning stab at Wiley Slide, a classic Crawford Notch WI2 route of about 700’ over 3 long pitches. Having only met Max last week over coffee via a Mountain Project thread, we enthusiastically threw ourselves into the fire (or freezer?) and made loose plans for an alpine climb in the White Mountains. What better way to get to know someone new than a 7hr drive north and a luxurious(!) minivan overnighter?

We took our time climbing deliberately, spindrift whirling around us, with a spectacular view of Mt Webster peeking out from the clouds every so often. After a quick summit lunch, it was a smooth return to the car with the occasional postholing on weak snow bridges, one of which pitched me upside-down giggling helplessly like an upturned turtle.

We rewarded ourselves with a pitstop at Luchador Tacos, an unexpected slice of East LA in the mountain town of North Conway. Quite possibly the start of a delicious new tradition?