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

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 1-16-23

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 12-12-22

December 12, 2022 Bill

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!