Ice Conditions Report 3-13-23

March 13, 2023March 13, 2023 Bill

Our winter conditions continue to keep rolling in with snow and cold temperatures which provided some of the best ice conditions we have had all winter long! Relatively speaking, this past weekend was pretty quite as far a visiting climbers so if you are thinking of coming up next weekend you should have your pick of some of the classic climbs! The advantage of coming up and climbing in March is that the seeps are bigger, the ice is solid, our days are longer and after suffering all winter long sunshine and warmer temperatures makes for easier climbing!

Here is a look at current conditions of the climbs:

SAND POINT ROAD/FRONT COUNTRY

All climbs are in and fat. The only exception would be right Twin which does have some water flowing in the center of the climb.

BACKCOUNTRY

It really doesn’t get any better than the conditions we have right now! All kinds of BC climbs are in and just waiting for climbers!

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 1-23-23

January 23, 2023January 23, 2023 Bill

Finally, a weather forecast we can celebrate! Looks like overnight temps will be favorable to building ice all week. Many of your favorite pillars have formed this past week but still remain thin and potentially unstable. That may just change by the weekend!

Over in Marquette the Ice Fest Organizers got in some laps at the Wolf’s Den before the Michigan Ice Fest Volunteer meeting. Due to heavy wet snow the standard line was pretty think and the mixed line had the most ice in it that we have seen in a long time.

Ice conditions continue to improve in the park with Three Sisters, a Swamp Thing, now touching down having steep difficult climbing. The Dryer Hose is formed but is open near the top. Folks should stay off it this week as it is fragile so that it has a chance to form up nice and solid for this weekend.

We have been getting many inquiries about access to Grand Island. Unfortunately, the lake ice has not begun to form yet so there is no access to the climbing out on the island for the unforeseeable future. Hard to look across that water at the amazing climbing and not be able to get to it. Hopefully with this cold spell we will start to see some lake ice and be able to hit the island later in the season.

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

Ice Conditions Report 1-16-23

January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 Bill

The National Geographic Magazine, August 1921 issue featured a story called “The Wild Life of Lake Superior, Past and Present,” Here people explore a sandstone cave near what is now known as Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Even in 1921 folks were out hunting for ice! This holiday weekend was no exception as many climbers were scouring the park looking for climbable ice. The 38 degree temperatures certainly didn’t help with building formations but the traditional seeps are not great but holding their own. Reports of climbs seeing some action were, Prelude Curtain, Opening Curtain, Boomer Falls, The Curtains, Drake Seep, Big Pine Pillar, Lakeshore Curtains, Totally Todd, and Mini Me. There are some more unnamed seeps that are climbable along the Lakeshore Trail from Intersection Falls heading northeast.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG-8862-1-1024x854.jpg — The Grotto

Hopefully we can break this mild weather pattern soon but it looks like we will have to endure two more days of warmer temperatures before we are getting into some ice building weather. Here’s to crossing our fingers for those overnight lows of 10 degrees next weekend!

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!