Mountain Project Logo

Midwest Ice Conditions-14/15 season

Original Post
Double J · · Sandy, UT · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 3,931
facebook.com/188245891079/p…

With all the new snow in the UP, and this cold, we should have an early start to the season in the Munising area..hopefully!

I heard a rumor that the pumps may start this weekend in Sandstone MN.

No updates yet from Thunder Bay-Nipigon area in Canada.

No reports yet of Ice in Casket Quarry, Duluth.

Anyone else know of anything "in" yet?
Juggler Jones · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 1,185

We may be starting to farm ice at Nice Ice silo in IL starting Sunday(tomorrow).

Could be climbing by Tues or Wed.

Will keep you posted.

:)

Gokul G · · Madison, WI · Joined May 2011 · Points: 1,753

Just checked with Bill about ice in the UP (was looking into places to go for TxGiving)- he says it'll likely be a few more weeks for anything big at Munising (just a lot of flow there).

Ice is starting to form on the roadcuts in SW Wisco. If this keeps up there'll be climbable ice in Southern Wisconsin by mid-Dec.

J Walton · · Round Hill, VA · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 20

New to Midwest Ice Climbing here,... Just updated my info in Partner Finder. Looking to get out and swing my tools in the MN area (or SW Wisconsin?).

Anyone going to Sandstone Ice Fest in Dec? Looks like not much else in the twin cities area... Eager to check out Sandstone, Deluth, or Wisc. Ice - have gear, will travel! Drop me a message!
-Cheers, JW

Stephen Berwanger · · Montrose, CO · Joined Jun 2007 · Points: 290

Sandstone is awesome!! Get after it boys!!

Juggler Jones · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 1,185
J Walton wrote:New to Midwest Ice Climbing here,... Just updated my info in Partner Finder. Looking to get out and swing my tools in the MN area (or SW Wisconsin?). Anyone going to Sandstone Ice Fest in Dec? Looks like not much else in the twin cities area... Eager to check out Sandstone, Deluth, or Wisc. Ice - have gear, will travel! Drop me a message! -Cheers, JW
Come down and join sometime. if you can.... we have some trips going to SW Wisconsin in Dec, Jan, and Feb......

facebook.com/groups/1086077…
Double J · · Sandy, UT · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 3,931

L Walton;
I lot of people usually attend the SS ice fest, a great place to meet some new partners.There is a local group of climbers in the cities quite active and always getting after it. I am sure you will be able to meet people at the fest if you stick around sat night. There is usually some good drinking, a raging fire (exploding fireworks by Petah) and possibly some naked people in the heated tents....

In the Cities there is Homer, Ivy, the Lake street bridge, Brickyards, and the ice over the river in stillwater, and the small waterfall north of stillwater on the MN side that quickly come to mind.

peter graupner · · stillwater,mn · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 45

Nothing in Stillwater yet, maybe another month.

Leslie H · · Keystone · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 415

Sandstone is not up and running yet. from what I have seen on our local sites, the water MAY have been turned on this weekend. If that's the case, the ice still needs time to set.

Double J · · Sandy, UT · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 3,931

Water is flowing at Sandstone and ice is forming according to a friends FB photo post.

Juggler Jones · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 1,185

Ice is forming at Nice Ice silo in Frankfort, IL and we will be climbing later this week and this coming wknd.

flynn · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2002 · Points: 25

Does anybody know what shape Cascade is in, if any?

Double J · · Sandy, UT · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 3,931
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid…

Game on in Nipigon Canada! Thanks Aric!
N. D. Guerre · · Trois-Rivieres, Quebec · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 5

I am thinking the ice will be ascendable at Governor Dodge early this season. It is cold here in the wind-scoured flatland.

Double J · · Sandy, UT · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 3,931

Hell, cox hallow might just be in another few days with this weather!

Gokul G · · Madison, WI · Joined May 2011 · Points: 1,753

Lone Rock and Cox hollow are starting to come in - very thin as of a couple days ago. If the rain this weekend isn't terrible, they might both be pretty close to in by Thanksgiving.

Double J · · Sandy, UT · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 3,931

Quarry monster is in! Get it before the next warm up!

Petah Lenz · · minneapolis/st.paul · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 205
jon jugenheimer wrote:There is usually some good drinking, a raging fire (exploding fireworks by Petah) and possibly some naked people in the heated tents....
While the Ss Ice Festival is a must-attend for any Midwestern climber, the exploding fireworks incident happened at the other fest...too fun.

Super excited for SsIF. Ice farming is happening now.
Juggler Jones · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 1,185

Q-Monster, as Jon said, is in.... and silo is in also.... The warm up will help it grow faster as it gets colder

Q-Monster

Nov. 14

First Climber of the season- Cody Miller---

CMil

jeffengel · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2007 · Points: 785

Sandstone Ice park is open. Matrix wall is pretty fat, not as good as I hoped, but still plenty of ice. Had issues starting the south side and stage wall, but hope to get that going Sunday and run water for at least a week.

Matrix Wall

Gokul G · · Madison, WI · Joined May 2011 · Points: 1,753

Cox Hollow is thin but in. Not sure how much damage tomorrow's warm rains will do, but I think it could be in again within a couple weeks.

Also, regarding Cox Hollow:

1. The approached is pretty messed up, with lots of trees downed all over the way (from this Summer's tornado)

2. One of the downed trees is the tree nearest the top of the ice. If you are going there to TR you will need either plenty of very long webbing or static line (I would recommend 30 meters), or else set anchors off screws.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Midwest
Post a Reply to "Midwest Ice Conditions-14/15 season"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.