A icy adventure with outdoors RSO
Sandusky graduate student Arian Perez climbs an ice tower during Ice Fest 2014 at Peabody Ice Climbing in Fenton.
Michigan Ice Fest is a challenge few of students and alumni take on each year.
In the past, the High Adventure Club, a registered student organization has been the only group of Central Michigan University students to attend the event.
This year the statewide event is taking place Feb. 5-8 in Munising, located in the Upper Peninsula. Registration for Ice Fest is $45 per person. The climb is an annual visit for the High Adventure Club.
Each year the group and others from around Michigan attending the event increases in size, starting at less than a hundred people to several hundred people this past year. For three years now, Pickney senior Jack Frost and president of the High Adventure Club, has taken on Ice Fest.
“The Michigan Ice Fest is the same trip but (you walk away with) a different experience,” Frost said.
Ice Fest participants climb frozen waterfalls using axes and crampons, enabling them to dig into ice with their hands and feet. As more people travel to Munising, more networking happens.
“You meet with new people from around the country who are adventurers themselves, so you can plan more trips,” Frost said.
Other expenses include the drive and sleeping arrangements. The High Adventure Club has arranged carpooling with open seats still available to cut costs of driving.
Members with past experience in ice climbing will assist first timers. No previous climbing experience is required but some is recommended.
