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Elevation: 625 ft
GPS: 46.41, -86.6499
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Shared By: Double J on Nov 14, 2006
Admins: John Miller

Description Suggest change

Munising Michigan is THE place in the Midwest to ice climb. Routes up to 200 feet high form right out of Lake Superior, with not a single ice climb rated below WI3. There are over 150 climbs in a 20+ mile long shoreline (including Grand Island) with many, many climbs rated WI5 and a lot rated WI6 for you bold climbers out there.

The Local Guidebook, An Ice Climber’s Guide to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, by local climbers Bill Thompson, Jon Jugenheimer, and Matt Abbotts, is a MUST HAVE resource. Buy a copy. downwindsports.com/guiding/…

Getting There Suggest change

Munising is located along Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula about 30 miles east of Marquette.

For more information contact Down Wind Sports

Safety

Suggest change

Munising has a good mix of front country and backcountry climbing. A word of caution for those climbing in the backcountry, as the last few years have seen rescues due to falls, hypothermia/fatigue, and inability to climb out after rappelling down:

  1. There is often limited cell service; consider a satellite messenger. 
  2. Many of the lakeshore climbs are difficult (or impossible) to retreat from on foot. If you rappel down, you have to be able to climb out or ascend a rope.
  3. Many of the climbs are 2-10 miles from your car. Plan accordingly.
  4. Ice around grand island can be unstable. Currents erode it from below. Check ice conditions and consider roping up for crossings.
  5. For hanging belays above the lake, don’t under appreciate how quickly spray can freeze. People have had ropes and runners freeze solid, which makes it very hard to tie/untie or operate a belay device.

82 Total Climbs

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Location: Munising Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Munising

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
WI3-4
 64
The Curtains
TR, Ice
WI5
 37
Dairyland
Ice
WI5
 40
The Amphitheater
TR, Ice
WI3+
 78
The Dryer Hose (aka Life's a Pitch)
Ice
WI5
 18
HMR
Ice
WI3-4
 56
Sweet Mother Moses
Ice
WI4-
 16
Midnight Rambler
Ice
WI3
 35
Giddy Up
Ice
WI4-5
 8
East Channel Curtains
TR, Ice
WI4+
 10
Suck it up
TR, Ice
WI3-4
 13
Good Bad and Ugly
Ice
WI3
 12
Bridal Veil Falls
Ice
WI4
 5
AGF
Ice
WI3-4
 4
West Side Curtains
Ice
WI4
 5
West Curtains
Ice
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Curtains Sand Point Rd to Mine…
 64
WI3-4 TR, Ice
Dairyland Sand Point Rd to Mine…
 37
WI5 Ice
The Amphitheater Sand Point Rd to Mine…
 40
WI5 TR, Ice
The Dryer Hose (aka Life's… Sand Point Rd to Mine…
 78
WI3+ Ice
HMR Mosquito Beach to Cha…
 18
WI5 Ice
Sweet Mother Moses Sand Point Rd to Mine…
 56
WI3-4 Ice
Midnight Rambler Sand Point Rd to Mine…
 16
WI4- Ice
Giddy Up Sand Point Rd to Mine…
 35
WI3 Ice
East Channel Curtains Grand Island > E Channel
 8
WI4-5 TR, Ice
Suck it up Sand Point Rd to Mine…
 10
WI4+ TR, Ice
Good Bad and Ugly Sand Point Rd to Mine…
 13
WI3-4 Ice
Bridal Veil Falls Miners Beach to Mosqu…
 12
WI3 Ice
AGF Miners Beach to Mosqu…
 5
WI4 Ice
West Side Curtains Grand Island > W Side of Grand Island
 4
WI3-4 Ice
West Curtains Grand Island > Trout Bay
 5
WI4 Ice
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