Michigan Hosting World’s Best Ice Climbers Next Week

Michigan Ice Fest is scheduled next week from February 12th through the 16th in Munising, at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Just when you're trying to avoid ice on your way to work - over a thousand people will be gathering there to climb frozen waterfalls.

According to UpperMichigansSource.com, even though the event draws some of the best ice climbers in the world, the focus is to help beginners get into the sport. Ice Fest organizer Bill Thompson says, "We provide all of the equipment, we provide clothing for you to get out, and we also provide the athletes to teach you how to do it. It's a great way to shorten your learning curve and fall in love with something you've never tried before.”

While a lot of people would expect everyone in Michigan to be sitting next to fireplace waiting for winter to end - everybody up there is looking forward to a wild week, with ice climbers, snowmobilers and cross country skiers (not to mention everyone ice-fishing) rocking the U.P.

So, don't say there's nothing to do in Michigan this time of year. Go climb a waterfall.

Here's the story.