May 18, 2024 7:55pm Normal day on the ice. More fun when it's melting and some of it falls on or near you! That was a great winter with both formations freezing up side by side for the first time in over 25 years.
December 19, 2023 6:22am Those ice formations DO collapse quite often. It takes time to learn, to 'read' the ice. It talks to you at 6AM by creaking, as water and sun get on it at minus15 degrees. I've had my share of close calls over 44 years of ice climbing.
June 06, 2023 6:40pm In my world, this was just a normal day of ice For all the Floridians we have here at MM, this must look very impressive. Color and setting were awesome that day, the climb is about average difficulty for us.
April 14, 2023 8:10pm A bad winter with little ice for 2022-23. But most years we 'warm up' on these short, steep 35 to 40 foot ice formations. If lucky, winter gives us some up to 80 ft. high here in Illinois Otherwise we have to travel 10 hours north to find this kind of adventure
April 27, 2022 10:07am Thanks. the weather has to be just right here in non-snow and ice winters we now have in Chicago area. A rare week or two if lucky to even find the ice in shape to climb, OR if the state park will feel its safe and allow us entry.