Ice Conditions Report- 1-6-23

January 6, 2023January 9, 2023 Bill

It was a tough week for building ice in Munising. Heavy wet snow and warm temperatures blanketed the Upper Peninsula this past week and put lots of water into our streams and watershed. The effect of this is that many of the pillars and waterfalls are now blown out. Some seeps are still climbable such as Lakeshore Curtains, Big Pine Pillar, School Room, Drake Seep, Opening Curtains and Prelude Curtain. With the heavy snow, if you are heading into the backcountry snowshoes will be needed! An exception is that a group from Ohio has packed in the Lakeshore Trail to Cliffs Campsite, the route to Dairyland. The good news is that a report came in from a party that HMR is in as is FAT!

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) 387-8020

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!

Ice Conditions Report- 12-26-22

December 26, 2022December 26, 2022 Bill

Well Santa delivered the good to the Upper Peninsula this past weekend! Munising received over 30 inches of snow during the weekend blizzard. While this sets us up for an amazing winter, the blowing snow has created severe drifting. That means if you are coming up this week you will have to plan accordingly as trails have not been packed in to most of the backcountry climbs.

The other good news is that we have had our first stretch of colder temperatures and the pillars are starting to touch down! Low flow climbs such as the Dryer Hose are in but it will take a bit more time for the higher flow pillars like Giddy Up to be climbable. The traditional seeps along Sand Point Road are coming along nicely but still relatively thin.

Because Michael Ganley wants to know, The Dryer Hose has formed and has seen a few ascents this week. This is good news as the backcountry pillars that are similar to the Hose but taller can’t be far behind!

*Colton Harris on the sharp end. Dryer Hose 12-25-22*

Ice Conditions Report 12-19-22 Game On!

December 19, 2022December 19, 2022 Bill

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.

Angela M on The School room PC John Miller

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.

Jane on the classic Bridal Veil Falls
PC Colton Harris

Ice Conditions Report 12-5-22

December 5, 2022December 5, 2022 Bill

Michigan Ice Fest Guides Brian Rajdl and Luke Baker found the ice in the Keweenaw is still in and climbable! It certainly has us in Marquette and Munising a bit jealous as winter still hasn’t fully descended upon this part of the Upper Peninsula.

The good news is that the weather forecast for this week is promising for making ice. From the folks at TV 6 Weather:

Breezy conditions and snow skies are sticking around for some of our central and eastern counties this afternoon. Chances of snow are shaping up to be on and off throughout the next few days. Moderate snow is planned for Monday and is shaping up to be a slight mix in some areas which could lead to slick roads. The other thing to keep in mind is that temperatures are looking to be mostly below average for the next few days so be sure to bundle up on the colder days.

We will cross our fingers for some potential ice in Munising and we will keep everyone updated on its progress next weekend. On a side note while we patiently wait for the ice to form don’t forget Michigan Ice Fest staff will be in Madison Heights Michigan for the Planet Rock goes cold this coming Saturday night! Hope to see our lower Michigan Friends!

Ice Conditions Report 2016/17

December 4, 2016December 4, 2016 Bill

Every year we are chomping at the bit to get out for the first climb of the season and we know a lot of you are as well. The staff at Michigan Ice are keeping our eyes on the temps and are excited to be your go to for up to date ice conditions reports.

With some free time and an optimistic attitude Michigan Ice Fest Guide Colton Moore and I headed out to see if any spray ice had formed on Bridal Veil Falls. We had seen photos of some ice on BV from the previous week and it looked like there might be a possibility.

With a fresh dusting of snow in Munising, we headed down Miners Castle Road to the parking lot/trailhead. On our way, we checked out Potatoe Patch Falls and found the falls were roaring which is a very good sign of the high water table. We just need colder temps!

Arriving at the climb at dawn, not surprisingly, there was no ice to climb. Once again there was a lot of water flowing and the surrounding cliffs are seeping so we will have to wait another week or two to actually start swinging the tools.

While we did not find ice, we are optimistic that we will be climbing our favorite routes by the holidays which in reality is pretty normal for Munising. Overnight lows look really good next week and you can be sure we will be back out updating the report. Checking back through our archives, this seems to be a pretty normal year…….ice starting to form early December and first routes climbed mid to late December.

Continue to sharpen your tools and start making plans to come on up and get some early season ice! Remember to check back here our our facebook page for the latest ice conditions.

Ice Conditions Report 1-12-16

January 13, 2016January 13, 2016 Bill

With recent cold temperatures we have seen an amazing growth of the climbs in the past week! Michigan Ice Fest guide Colton Moore, graciously scouted out some of the Sand Point Road climbs to give folks an idea of how things are progressing along. While seeps are starting to be climbable, due to the high volume of water in our streams, the waterfalls are still a week or two out. As always with early season climbing, please be very careful climbing any pillars as with this late of a start, anything that is knocked down might just stay down for the season.

Ice Conditions Report & The Seasons First Ascent Of Bridal Veil Falls

December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 Bill

Happy New Year! Things are starting to take shape as our Upper Peninsula temperatures have continued to be cold and the snow has been falling.

With its low angle and exposure to the cold winds blowing off Lake Superior, it looks like Bridal Veil Falls is the first climb to come in. Super cool gargoyle formations are taking shape at the top, produced by those north winds blowing off the lake. Climber left seems to be the best line so far and fairly dry considering the falls is still flowing.

While climbs are starting to form, there is still very little to climb. Progress is being made with pillars and seeps beginning to fill in.

Special thanks goes out to Colton Moore, Josh Hohner, Mario Molin and John Miller for submitting these shots for the Ice Conditions Report!

Ice Conditions Report- Grand Island 3-6-15

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015 Bill

With bluebird skies, part of the Michigan Ice Fest staff spent the day circumnavigating the island scouting and climbing some beautiful ice. Travel to the island is still good with lake ice holding strong. With the recent cold but sunny days some of the ice on the west shore is starting to be sun baked. If you are looking to get on some Grand Island ice, particularly the East Channel or West Shore, I would make the pilgrimage within the next two weeks. The north side, and the mainland climbs, seldom see the sun so the climbing season is certainly going to last much longer there. Remember Down wind Sports continues to rent gear so come on up and get after it! If you are looking for any route beta be sure to give us a call at 906-226-7112