Chasing Waterfalls: Michigan Ice Fest draws climbers and legends from across the nation and around the world

The climber swings her axe into the frozen waterfall, steps up with both feet, swings higher, and steps up again. The distinctive, oddly gratifying sound of ice crunching and cracking as she swings her axe into the ice wall is the loudest noise she hears. Each time her axes are solid in the ice, she moves both feet up, kicking the sharp metal crampon spikes on the front of her boots to achieve solid placement. Finding good footholds is crucial. Her movement is followed closely by her instructor and cheered on by a crowd of enthusiastic onlookers. She continues in this fashion until she reaches the top, where she’s rewarded with panoramic views of Lake Superior.