Hey, I'm trying to get a small group togeather to go to Munising MI (in the UP on the Lake Superior shoreline) for the 2009 Munising Ice Climbing Festival. Climbing experience would be a big plus.

So far, I've only got 2-3 maybe/depends/possible/whatevers.

A little background:

Ths year it's running Jan 31-Feb 2.

$25 to register on site (one time fee), gets you about $1000 of rental gear for each day that you climb. Each night they have a pro/world class climber who gives a presentation on his/her experiences.

The past two years they have had FREE BEER, and last year they had FREE VODKA

The bar below the meeting room has some pretty good burgers and fries, and there are plenty of hotels/motels in the general area.

If you don't know anything about Ice climbing but want to learn, they do offer classes, but those run about $90.

Pretty much all the climging is done in the "demo" area, with some people setting up at Twin Falls or "The Dryer Hose". All ice in the area is either A: Water seeps through the cliff walls, or B: Frozen waterfalls. Nothing is multi-pitch unless Grand Island is open (rarely is), so Top-roping is essentially all there is.

let me know if you're interested.

Paul

 

why dont you post this in the main forum?

 

Because it's non S2000 related, therefore off topic, therefore ruexp67 would lock it out due to me not following rules, therefore being utterly pointless.

If he doesn't have a problem with it, then it could be moved. But I don't have the athority or ability to do that.

Also because this is kinda a local deal. If it were the Ouray CO Ice climbing festival (which has become a bit of a curicus from what I've heard) then it would make more sense to post in the main off-topic forum.

Anyway . . . are you interested in going?

 

looks alot of fun but I'll have to seriously think about it.

 

If you're interested in the free beer alone, it's cheaper to just stay down there and go to a bar than to pay for gas and lodging to get the free beer.

 

The biggest thing to think about is getting ice chunks in the face. A helmet with a face shield wouldn't hurt.

 

Here are some links to one of the main organizers/sponsers.

http://www.downwindsports.com/ice_fest.html

The 2008 program (2009's isn't out yet) to get a better idea of what goes on there:

http://www.downwindsports.com/documents/Ic..._08_web_000.pdf

 

That looks pretty cool, I'd be interested if I didn't have a bum leg...still going to therapy so we'll see, but extremely doubtful it would happen for this year. I still can't climb stairs properly

 

Yeah, that would be a bit of a problem. Footwork is very important in ice climbing, even more so than tool work (uppper body/hand work). There is a lot of kicking involved and you're basically supporting your body weight with the toe picks on your boots.

If you know how to safely belay though, while not as fun as doing the climbing, you could still come along and have some fun. The appoach may pose to be a problem for you though. It's a steep climb, but very very short to get to The Curtains. (demo area). . . . and the pro climber presentations are well worth the visit.

Remember, you're hauling about 2 lbs of gear per foot wearing boots and crampons, not including your water/food, other gear.

 

C'mon people, I need some strong posibilities!!





The guy in the red jacket is me BTW.