Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

Tempest

WI2+, Ice, 200 ft (61 m),  Avg: 3.7 from 23 votes
FA: P. Dedi, S. Parent, 1981
International > N America > Canada > Ontario > Ontario Ice & M… > LAKE SUPERIOR W… > Orient Bay Ice… > 5. Cascade Falls/Obse…

Description

A true frozen river. This route was the first ice route climbed in the entire Orient Bay region. It is a "must do." And as such it can be very busy. Easy and varied terrain gives you a wide selection of climbing possibilities. Choose a side and head up. There is a head wall about 150ft up that gives you a taste of WI3 but the rest of the climb is very mellow.

Have fun!

References: "Ice Climbs of the Lake Superior Region" by Eric Landmann and Don Hynek, Granite Publishing

Location

This route is located on Highway 11. Heading north its just past Obsession on the right side. There are a number of climbs in the area but Tempest is easily distiguished by its width.
A spot to park is on the left just past the climb. Cross the road walk along the guard rail and head towards the ice.

After the climb there are a couple of options. Slings around birch trees provide rappel points at a couple different spots on top, straight up and in the middle, and on the left above the cleft.

Note - According to Superior Ice the route is 230ft and is two pitches. I was able to rap from the top center (the tallest part) off 60m twins with rope to spare.

Protection

Ice screws

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Tempest is the gorgeous river of ice in the middle. January 2008.
[Hide Photo] Tempest is the gorgeous river of ice in the middle. January 2008.
fuzzy on tempest 3.10.12. super awesome climb. photo R.Love
[Hide Photo] fuzzy on tempest 3.10.12. super awesome climb. photo R.Love
Henry romping up Tempest on a beautiful spring day. March 2026.
[Hide Photo] Henry romping up Tempest on a beautiful spring day. March 2026.
Mike, up the left side
[Hide Photo] Mike, up the left side
Mike Allex
[Hide Photo] Mike Allex
From the belay at climbers left
[Hide Photo] From the belay at climbers left
Ah, so many possibilities. January 2008.
[Hide Photo] Ah, so many possibilities. January 2008.
Too much ice for the camera to handle. Just before my first ice lead on Tempest (WI2+). January 2008.
[Hide Photo] Too much ice for the camera to handle. Just before my first ice lead on Tempest (WI2+). January 2008.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

James Schroeder
Fort Collins, CO
  WI2+
[Hide Comment] Super classic! Feb 1, 2008
Bill Rusk
Rochester, MN
  WI2+
[Hide Comment] At one point when I was belaying there were 5 climbers on this formation (2 soloing) and there was room for more. Feb 2, 2008
Doug Hemken
Delta, CO
 
[Hide Comment] We were able to climb this, and rap from both the left and right, with a pair of 60m ropes. Mar 2, 2020
Cole Trebelhorn
Minneapolis, MN
 
[Hide Comment] Rapped from x2 60m's March 4th, 2024.
Tatt is in okay shape. Webbing is currently frozen under the ice and not accessible, and some green cord is in okay shape.

I would recommend bringing webbing and rings to leave up there for sure. Mar 6, 2024