The impressive granite faces on the valley's west side are for more than admiring -- they're also for climbing. Cathedral Ledge and Whitehorse Ledge attract climbers from all over who consider these cliffs (along with the Shawangunks in New York and Seneca Rocks in West Virginia) a sort of Eastern troika where they put their grace and technical acumen to the test.
Experienced climbers will have their own sources of information on the best access and routes. Inexperienced climbers should sign up for a class taught by one of the local outfitters, whose workshops run from 1 day to 1 week. Try the Eastern Mountain Sports Climbing School (tel. 603/356-5433; www.emsclimb.com), the International Mountain Climbing School (tel. 603/356-7064), or the Mountain Guides Alliance (tel. 603/356-5310; www.mountainguidesalliance.com).
To tone up or keep in shape on rainy days, the Cranmore Family Fitness Center (tel. 603/356-6301) near the Mt. Cranmore base lodge has an indoor climbing wall open weekdays from 5 to 9pm and weekends from 2 to 8pm. The fee is $14 Monday through Friday, and $16 on weekends. Newcomers must pass a belay test (free) before climbing; if their skills aren't up to snuff, they'll be asked to take a lesson. Private, semiprivate, and group lessons are available.
