Iceclimbing in Michigan posted on February, 2019   I always have been fascinated by climbing areas or routes with interesting views. What makes a climb special in my eyes is not only the line itself but also it's surrounding and the view we can admire while climbing or from the top. For sure iceclimbing above the frozen Lake Superior can be considered a special view, that's why I immediately accepted the invitation to the Michigan Ice Festival. Toghether with my boyfriend Marco and climbing partner Maurizio, we left in the mid of February in search for overseas ice. We already knew before our departure, that all icefalls were in condition and the lake was frozen, thanks to a particularly severe snowstorm the week before. Fortunately the snowstorm finished before our arrival, as it had caused delays and cancellations for several days in all airports in the Northeast. We landed in Chicago and immediately drove for 6 hours to Munising. We spent the first day climbing some easier ice close to the road and trying to get rid of our Jet Lag. The second day we had the chance to find out how a real snowstorm in the US feels like. We hiked for 2 hours throught the deep, fresh snow, battling the strong wind, poor visibility and cold temperatures. When we finally made it to the first icefalls along the lakeshore we had to accept that it was impossible to climb in those conditions. The following days we climbed despite the ongoing snowstorm but favoured by the slightly diminished wind. One can for sure say that Michigan is the paradise of ice pillars. The lakeshore made of soft sandstone has been hollowed by the waves and the water coming down above the overhanging rock creates freestanding pillars of all hights and diameters. After the first storm, Michigan pleased us with a wonderful, sunny day that we decided to spend on Grand Island. The island in front of Munising offers some amazing climbs, the most impressive one beeing a portion of shoreline, 500 meters wide, all covered with ice. It is possible to reach the iceclimbs on Grand Island in two ways: by skis or by snowmobiles. We choose the second option and were taken to this impressive wall where we spent the day alone, choosing one line after another to climb in the sun. The icefalls in Michigan are exclusively single pitch climbs with various lenght and all grades of difficulty. From easy, short climbs for childred and beginners up to delicate, WI7 columns. The climbs are reached by rappeling from above, or by walking on the frozen lake. As it is very difficult to understand the thickness of the ice, it is better to ask information to the local guides at Downwind Sports in Munising. Rappeling from above can be an easy way to fix a top rope line and together with the number of easy climbs and the short access, this is what makes Michigan a perfect spot for beginners and people who want to toprope an iceclimb before leading it. But not all ice in Michigan is easy to reach, as we found out. The most beautful lines are located in a part of the shoreline that is more distant from Munising and situated in a natural park. As the use of snowmobiles is forbidden in this area, the only way to get to the icefalls is by snowshoes or skis. The distance to get to the icefalls is 15 to 20 kilometers and altough Michigan has no real mountains, there is a continuos up and down on the many little hills. Finding the right trail in the middle of the forest and given the frequent snowstorms, proofed to be almost impossible. All icefalls are described in the new guidbook that was published during the Ice Festival 2019. What I will for sure remember most of this trip are the severe temperatures. During two weeks of time we only saw the sun twice and the temperatures never reached 0 degrees, beeing below -25 during the coldest mornings. We saw three different snowstorms make theyr way down from Canada and locals explained that all this is totally normal for a Winter in Michigan. So here is to Michigan, that stil has real Winter weather!!! pictures by Nikki Smith back