Ice Conditions Report 3-6-23 New Climb Found!

The Munising area saw lots of action this past weekend with visiting climbers finding fat mid/late season conditions!  On their day off, some of the Michigan Ice Fest Guides hit some of the PRNL Classics during a rare bluebird weekend!

For those interested and competent to climb out over the lake, Dairyland is in amazing condition right now. Plenty of ice and Sunday morning it was totally dry. Bridalveil, Rappin Ice, and Miners Falls all saw action over the weekend. Strawberry daze appeared to not be touching down but we really didn’t get a good look at it.

Opening Curtains 3-4-23 Miller Collection

The Front Country remains solid with all formations climbable and growing. There is a ton of ice to climb and remember a short walk from your car can put you into the wilderness and some solitude. Be sure to check out the guide book to assist in finding those seldom climbed formations!

Please remember that the Park service does not allow parking along Sand Point Road. Please park in the designated lot and carefully walk the road back to the climbs.

Grand Island saw some climbers skiing out to Trout Bay only to find very sun baked ice. Risky lake ice and questionable climbable ice makes staying on the mainland a better decision if you really want to climb quality ice. Be sure to check our website of social media channels for the latest ice conditions reports. If your group needs to rent gear Down Wind Sports in Munising offers Ice Gear rentals and are open 7 days a week.  Check out the rental details here!

Over in Marquette this weekend a new to us climb formed along the Lakeshore between Hidden Beach and the Lakeshore climb. Steep and super technical we hope this climb stays around a bit so that folks can go and get a pump on! It is also a good reminder that exploring can sometimes pay off in a good way!

Our long term forecast still looks amazing for building ice and excellent March climbing conditions. You really can’t ask for a better forecast, warmer temps during the day and freezing temperatures at night. Looks like we will be having an extended season! Time to grab some friends and come up and get after it!

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 2-27-23- It’s Good!

Bridalveil Falls PC John Miller

This past weekend the Park seemed a bit quite, but the climbers who did come up were treated to some of the best ice of the season! Cold overnight temps and warmer days has our ice looking really good and it is setting up to be a banner spring. Virtually all climbs are in and are actually growing!

Miner Castle Road is still being plowed to the Park Service sign which shortens the backcountry approach quite a bit. Use caution though, we have had a bunch of snow lately and are expecting more in the next day or so. Driving all the way out to Miners Beach in NOTR recommended and the towing fees are $500-600.00

For those adventurers who like solitude and want to escape the crowds, there is a lot of ice in the U.P. that is not in Munising. The Black River is an example of that, and reports are that the western end climbs are in!

The Black River is the Western U.P.’s mini ice destination in Big Snow Country, a region also known for its amount of alpine ski hills, and deep lake effect snow. The ice climbs are all located in a small canyon along the fast flowing Black River just a few miles upstream of where it drains into Lake Superior. On a normal season almost a half-dozen lines form along the sides of the canyon walls, with the actual river waterfall rarely freezing and never climbed. All but one of the climbs are located across the river from where you park, which means the river must be well frozen before you can get to the climbs, as the swim across would be rather cold.

Grand Island continues to be inaccessible due to open water and very thin lake ice. We aren’t giving up on the island quite yet but it is not looking good for any climbing out there. Be sure to check our website of social media channels for the latest ice conditions reports. If your group needs to rent gear Down Wind Sports in Munising offers Ice Gear rentals and are open 7 days a week.  Check out the rental details here!

Our long term forecast looks amazing for building ice and excellent March climbing conditions. Time to come up and get after it! 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 2-20-23

Sweet Mother Moses PC The Millers

Now that the dust has somewhat settled from Ice Fest it is time to get back to our conditions report! Immediately after the fest we experienced a warm up and thought for sure that we would loose some of our pillars. The good news is that our normal winter temperatures have returned and the ice is quite nice! This past holiday weekend we saw many climbers up and down Sand Point Road which is a good thing but remember there is great ice to climb, many formations still untouched this season, scattered throughout the park. Also a friendly reminder, there is no parking along Sand Point Road so please drive all the way down to the parking lots! If you are planning a trip up you should find excellent conditions both in the front and back country locations.

Miners Falls PC Emily Gantner

Grand Island is still inaccessible due to open water and very thin lake ice. We aren’t giving up on the island quite yet but it is not looking good for any climbing out there. Be sure to check our website of social media channels for the latest ice conditions reports. If your group needs to rent gear Down Wind Sports in Munising offers Ice Gear rentals and are open 7 days a week.  Check out the rental details here!

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 1-30-23 Finally Someone Turned Off The Heat!

Emily Gantner at Miners Falls. PC Erik Olsen

Well, we finally got the cold spell everyone has been hoping for and just in time for Ice Fest- better late then never! We are only a few days into it but we are already seeing great progress in the formation of our pillars.

Front Country

The front country has been seeing a lot of action on the weekends and some of the Sand Point Road classics are just now beginning to fill in. No Boundaries, The Dryer Hose, The Curtains, Prelude Curtain are all growing and should be bigger by next weekend. Our guess is most climbable formations will be in by next weekend!

Back Country

Looks like area legend and Pictured Rocks pioneer Paul Kuenn was out exploring the back country and found a few newly formed pillars. He also reported Dairyland is almost formed with the main sheet of ice being five feet from touching down. Pillars continue to grow but not all are in yet.

Reports from the backcountry of climbs that are in include AGF, Bridalveil, The Rim, Rappin Ice, HMR, On The Rocks, and After Midnight. Giddy Up was reported that it was not climbable this past weekend.

Our forecast heading towards Ice Fest week is looking very promising. Cold temperatures and fresh snow are on the way and should be exactly what we need to get the back country pillars in shape to climb.

If you are heading up this way and you forgot your long undies or that ratty belay parka is not cutting it, be sure to stop by Down Wind Sports in Munising to pick up any last minute items, gear rentals or beta!

Please be mind full that this season, formations are extremely delicate and knocking any pillars down at this point may take a month to reform.

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.

Ice Conditions Report 1-16-23

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.

Big Pine Pillar

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!

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 1-10-23

The Curtains Pc John Miller

Not to sound like a broken record but not much has changed in the last week as the Upper Peninsula is still experiencing warmer than normal temperatures. We have received snow which is good as we need the snow to melt a bit during the day and then freeze over night to build up the ice formations, and more importantly to form the ice pillars that Munising is so famous for.

Lets start with the good news! HMR was climbed by Michigan Ice Fest Guides Colton Harris and Tyler Davis a few days ago and they reported great ice and that it was fat! There are climbs in the back country to be found and like the front country, if the are seeps, they are climbable.

The front country is pretty much the same as it was last week. Seeps are the only thing climbable right now and they include Prelude Curtains, Opening Curtains, Boomer Falls, 2 lines at The Curtains, Drake Seep, The School Room, Big Pine Pillar, and Lakeshore Curtains.

Also as a reminder there is other great ice climbing in the U.P. including a few climbs in Marquette and quite a few places in the Keweenaw Peninsula. These locations can be found in the guide book, An Ice Climbers Guide to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Most of the climbs outside of Munising tend to be seeps, which are what is in, and are certainly fun to climb in a beautiful wilderness setting.

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- 1-6-23

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

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!

Dryer Hose 12-26-22 PC John Miller
Colton Harris on the sharp end. Dryer Hose 12-25-22

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!