Its the winter season with January and February being the busiest months for myself (Art Mooney) and the guides at Mooney Mountain Guides. Its the season of cold - windy Mt Washington ascents and the season of guided ice climbs on wild and varied routes. Personally I feel very fortunate to be a NH guide in winter - its an absolutely fantastic job. As time passes I am continually sharing my enthusiasm and passion for climbing with new and repeating guests from all over the US and world. 

The listed photos are from guiding days during the past three weeks of work. The photos begin with the MMG guide training, then a Mt Washington ascent, onto the NH Mt Washington Valley Ice Festival, continues to the AMGA Ice Instructor Course, and ends with photos of private guide days with Mooney Mountain Guides.

Guide training day - preparing for the busy season ahead!

Mt Washington is a wild place - keeping warm and dry in the wild winds and subzero temps is a constant battle for all during our climbs.

In sync during the summit push.

The summit - all are excited and relieved to be on the top of NH highest peak.

Pippa getting started icing in NH at the Mount Washington Ice Festival.

The ice festival - a happy group after a day on the ice

Alden and Andrea working the Mammut Table at the Mt Washington Valley Ice festival.

The ice festival - intro to ice climbing for rock climbers.

Ice festival again -ice and  mixed climbing at Frankenstein.

AMGA - the Ice Instructor Course.

Mammut ambassador Andrea Charest guiding us up the Chia Pillar - AMGA IIC Course. 

AMGA course again - bluebird day on Mt Willard.

Mooney Mountain Guides - getting prepared to go ice climbing during the 2013 blizzard called Nemo. 

Plenty of water - ice is building fast!

Its all about fun - another great day in the mountains.

Visting climbers enjoyed a two day intro on the ice.

As you can see mountain guiding is a fantastic job. 

Thanks to Mammut, the AMGA, and folks at the IMCS Ice Festival for the opportunity to take people out in the mountains and on the ice.

Art Mooney

AMGA/IFMGA Mountain Guide