In
The Outdoors
Ice Dancing - Rebecca Tavernini
Sweet Mother Moses.
Giddy Up. Overbite. Strawberry Daze/Split Slip. Totally Todd. The
Sleeping Wall. Glad She's Fat…
Rock bands? No. But they do have something to do with
rocks—they're the names of local "ice falls" that have
formed from water seeping through cliffs in the winter. They're the
frozen pillars, the frosty curtains, the slippery stalactites that
beckon like Oddyseus's sirens: "Climb me, climb me…"
This month, hundreds of ice climbers from around the country
will converge in Marquette and Munising to do just that. At the Michigan
Ice Fest, February 3 through 6, they'll strap on crampons, set-up
ropes, place ice anchors and belay bitts to ascend these giant icicles
dripped from sheer cliffs, suspended over rocky terrain or frozen
water. Crazy? Maybe. Cool? Most definitely.
The Michigan Ice Climbing Festival started in the early
1980s when a group of friends decided to get together the first weekend
of February each year for a little ice dancing. Last year, 300 "friends"
showed up. Now the four-day event features courses, demonstrations,
speakers, slide shows and socials.
This year, the Ice Fest will start with a day of climbing
and activities around Marquette. Then the events will move to Munising,
where the upper level of Sydney's restaurant will serve as headquarters
for forays to climbs at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Grand
Island.
The speakers are some of the world's best climbers, and
include Steve House, Mark Wilford, Mark Twight, Sue Nott and Erik
Weihenmayer (see sidebar). Afee of $5 serves as admission to all of
the talks/slide shows.
The instructional courses, conducted by Dairyland Expedition
guides, are $65. "Ice Fest Intro" teaches tool placement,
stance and technique along with top rope set-up and choosing gear.
"Ice Fest Lead" focuses on technique to feel comfortable
on the vertical and overhanging ice, using ice anchors, a variety
of gear and natural protection. "Ice Rescue" deals with
preventing and dealing with accidents (hey, they're bound to happen
in this sport!).
Manufacturers who will be providing demo gear and clothing
are Black Diamond, Tecnica, Mountain Hardwear, Trango, Climb High,
Montrail, Patagonia and La Sportiva. Climbs will be set up at The
Curtains off Sand Point Road in Munising for participants to try out
the latest gear and get climbing tips. A shuttle will be available
to transport climbers between Sydney's and The Curtains.
The Ice Fest is organized by Michigan Ice, a nonprofit
organization based in Marquette and sponsored by Tecnica and Climb
High. For more information or a 2000 Michigan Ice Fest Program, stop
by Down Wind Sports, 514 North Third, Marquette.
If you're afraid of slipping on the ice as you walk to
your car, then ice climbing may not be for you. But if you have the
urge to ascend, Mother Nature's Twin Towers, The Dryer Hose and Bird's
Eye View await you.
