What’s New-Sterling Nano 8.9 mm XEROS Rope

The Michigan Ice Fest has always been a place where climbers can come and get a first look at the most innovative new climbing products on the market.

Here’s a look at the latest greatest gear in ice climbing and beyond for the 2023 season! Remember when you sign up for the Michigan Ice Fest you can get 20% off your purchases at Down Wind Sports at the event or pre event over at www.shopdownwindsports.com

Today we feature the Sterling Nano 8.9 mm XEROS Rope

When you are ready to push your ice, sport or trad climbing to the limit, the Nano 8.9 mm is the tool to take along. This UIAA triple rated rope gives you unsurpassed performance per gram when you’re going for the send.

What’s New- Lowa Alpine Evo GTX

The Michigan Ice Fest has always been a place where climbers can come and get a first look at the most innovative new climbing products on the market.

Here’s a look at the latest greatest gear in ice climbing and beyond for the 2023 season! Remember when you sign up for the Michigan Ice Fest you can get 20% off your purchases at Down Wind Sports at the event or pre event over at www.shopdownwindsports.com

Today we feature the Lowa Alpine Evo GTX

Designed for the elite alpinist who’s tackling challenging peaks, this super technical model is nimble and lightweight yet loaded with performance details. The new sole package includes a PU wedge for cushioning and a stiffer TPU wedge for stability, PU-injected LOWA Reptex® protective reinforcements on the upper, a carbon -reinforced stabilizer, and a Lycra® collar to protect from snow and debris. Semi-automatic crampon compatible. Durably waterproof/breathable

Treasure Hunt Is On!

Throughout history, the search for treasure has led people beyond the edges of the map. Treasure stories abound in the Upper Peninsula. From the riches of the treasure ship SS Comet, to the lure of lost gold mines and the Wall of Silver, the rewards can be fantastic and the adventures unforgettable. This ice season Michigan Ice Fest is getting in on the hunt. We’re excited to send worthy treasure seekers into far flung corners of the U.P.’s ice climbing world.

TREASURE HUNT

Here’s How it works Each week of the ice climbing season leading up to the festival we’ll hide a piece of treasure somewhere in the Munising Area. We’ll release clues every couple of days through our social media channels to guide hunters to the prize until someone finds the treasure. Treasure will be Michigan Ice Fest gear and prizes from our sponsors. During the Festival we’ll hide the:

Grand Prize: A Golden Ticket worth a lifetime registration to the Michigan Ice Fest! A prize equal to the adventure of finding it!

THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR!

Our first prize package is now hidden- be sure to check our social media channels for the clues to find the prize package. Once you find the container- bring it back to Down Wind Sports 112 Elm Munising MI 49862 and our employees will hook you up with what you have won!

Ice Conditions Report 12-19-22 Game On!

Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus! Finally the cold temperatures we have all been waiting for are finally here. The weeklong forecast looks amazing and seeps and pillars are sure to freeze up and grow this week! Yesterday Pictured Rocks saw the first action of the season on climbs other than HMR.

Right now there are a mixed bag of front country and back country climbs available to swing some tools into. Seeps are coming in and are the best bet for climbable ice next weekend. Pillars are still not safe to climb yet but that may change by the holiday weekend. (Sweet Mother Moses was not touching down yesterday). Please use extreme caution on any pillars- let them go, let them grow! While most seeps are thin, a few that froze up enough to climb included The School Room, Lake Shore Curtains and climbers left of Bridal Veil Falls.

Please be mind full that Munising early season formations are extremely delicate and knocking any pillars down at this point may take a month to reform. BEFORE MAKING THE LONG DRIVE UP– please call Down Wind Sports for up to the minute conditions: 906-226-7112

Weather and ice conditions can change hourly and what may appear to be “good conditions” to one climber may not be so to another. Please remember that just because a conditions report says that a particular climb is “in”, each individual is ultimately responsible for making his/her own climbing decisions.

At Michigan Ice we take pride in being your go to site for current ice climbing conditions for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore as well as climbs throughout the Upper Peninsula. Planning a trip to Pictured Rocks? We have you covered for all the latest snow and ice conditions on all of your favorite climbs. We also offer a full guide service and are currently booking guided ice climbing trips for the 22/23 season! Check back often for updates, pictures, and trip reports!

What’s New- CAMP Geko Hot Evo Glove

The Michigan Ice Fest has always been a place where climbers can come and get a first look at the most innovative new climbing products on the market.

Here’s a look at the latest greatest gear in ice climbing and beyond for the 2023 season! Remember when you sign up for the Michigan Ice Fest you can get 20% off your purchases at Down Wind Sports at the event or pre event over at www.shopdownwindsports.com

Today we feature the CAMP Geko Hot Evo Ice Climbing Glove

The redesigned Geko Hot Evo is a modern mountaineering and climbing glove with a particularly soft, flexible and sensitive fit that still maintains all-mountain functionality with PrimaLoft® Gold insulation and the DRYZONE® waterproof/breathable membrane. Silicone Grip’R pads on the palm and fingers combine with shaped construction for exceptional grip. PrimaLoft® Gold 100 g/m² insulation on the back with PrimaLoft® Gold Eco Grip Control 100 g/m² insulation on the palm ensures good temperature regulation and warmth and 3mm EVA inserts on the fingers protect the knuckles while climbing.

Ice Conditions Report 12-12-22

HMR 12-09-22 PC David Hixenbaugh

The Michigan Ice Fest Guides were out in force this weekend exploring all parts of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore looking for any climbable ice and documenting climbs as they become closer to becoming climbable. The good news is that they were successful on the ultra classic HMR! The climb is reported to be thin but remarkably dry!

Colton Harris getting the goods. Pc David Hixenbaugh

Elsewhere in the park, John Miller explored some of the front country climbs which are starting to form but not climbable yet. The good news is that the ice is building each day and hopefully soon the front country will open up!

Please be mind full that Munising early season formations are extremely delicate and knocking any pillars down at this point may take a month to reform. BEFORE MAKING THE LONG DRIVE UP– please call Down Wind Sports for up to the minute conditions: 906-226-7112

Weather and ice conditions can change hourly and what may appear to be “good conditions” to one climber may not be so to another. Please remember that just because a conditions report says that a particular climb is “in”, each individual is ultimately responsible for making his/her own climbing decisions.

At Michigan Ice we take pride in being your go to site for current ice climbing conditions for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore as well as climbs throughout the Upper Peninsula. Planning a trip to Pictured Rocks? We have you covered for all the latest snow and ice conditions on all of your favorite climbs. We also offer a full guide service and are currently booking guided ice climbing trips for the 22/23 season! Check back often for updates, pictures, and trip reports!

What’s New- Arc Teryx Beta Ar Jacket

The Michigan Ice Fest has always been a place where climbers can come and get a first look at the most innovative new climbing products on the market.

Here’s a look at the latest greatest gear in ice climbing and beyond for the 2023 season! Remember when you sign up for the Michigan Ice Fest you can get 20% off your purchases at Down Wind Sports at the event or pre event over at www.shopdownwindsports.com

Today we feature the Arc Teryx Beta Ar Jacket

Packable, breathable, durable waterproof protection across the spectrum of alpine environments and activities, the Beta AR Jacket is created to deliver performance versatility. The GORE-TEX PRO with Most Rugged Technology – a next-gen material we developed in collaboration with Gore – delivers maximum durability. The helmet compatible DropHood™ has an internal collar for added protection and an embedded RECCO® reflector improves searchability in emergency situations.

What’s New- Blue Ice Alpine Slings

The Michigan Ice Fest has always been a place where climbers can come and get a first look at the most innovative new climbing products on the market.

Here’s a look at the latest greatest gear in ice climbing and beyond for the 2023 season! Remember when you sign up for the Michigan Ice Fest you can get 20% off your purchases at Down Wind Sports at the event or pre event over at www.shopdownwindsports.com

Today we feature Blue Ice Alpine Slings!

The Blue Ice Alpine Runners are designed for multi-pitch or alpine climbing. They are not intended to replace single strand slings with one loop, but to provide easier-to-handle solutions in alpine conditions. It’s single strand design greatly improve it’s carry ability and ease of use in comparison to a close loop sling.

Blue Ice Alpine Runners are simply a coil of ultra-high tenacity yarn that is dressed up with two protective sheaths and covered with a single braided sheath. The Alpine Runners create a strong link that doesn’t rely on any stitching for strength. They come in four different lengths that are also color-coded for even easy identification. The 35 cm and 55 cm slings are ideal to use as extendable quickdraws. Being single strand makes them easier to handle when folding and unfolding, so they are quick to set up or stow away again on your harness. The longer ones, with 90 cm and 110 cm length, are perfect to build equalized anchors. With two independent end loops, you can have two carabiners preset with the runners or adapt the sling how you like.