I'll be going to MN for work on the weekend of Feb 1st and thought it would be fun to tag on some ice climbing - any recommendations for location or a guide service?

I usually go climbing each year in North Conway up Huntington Ravine with a guide - I'm intermediate level and am looking for one fun day on the ice, preferably a multi-pitch area if that exists.

Sorry I'm totally naive about MN ice!

I've not been, but a climbing partner told me he visited an ice climbing park near the Twin Cities. A quick Google search came up with these:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sandston ... 5004840616

http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=1402

RadiatingHope,
FWIW:
Midwestern Mountaineering is one of the better "mountain" shops in the Midwest. They are located in Minneapolis and a call or email might reveal some good ice info/what's in shape:
http://www.midwestmtn.com/ask-us/climbing
http://www.midwestmtn.com/company/contact-us
Toll-free: 888–999–1077
Best,
JM
Also: http://www.sandstoneicefest.com/icefest_access.html

Sandstone Ice Park, about 90 miles north of MSP is the place to go. Loads of near vertical routes of ice and mixed to choose from.

I was there on Sunday and conditions were great.

St. Paul is not allowing ice climbing this winter pending a safety review. A couple of school kids got killed in The Brickyards last spring by landslides.

Forgot to add that the Sandstone Ice Park is farmed with routes from about 40-60 ft high in Robinson Park.

Easy to do top ropes into the bolted anchors. To set a top rope, you follow the boot track to the North end of the park near the train bridge across the river.

Camping in the park is permitted.

If you have any questions, please let me know. I go there about every other weekend.

If you have any questions, please let me know. I go there about every other weekend.

You mid-westerns have it so good. The ice formed for exactly one week here in Washington.

People come to Washington from all over the country for climbing and mountaineering and other outdoor activities... ice climbing just isn't one of them

We have lots of cold here in the Upper Midwest, but we can't go ice cIimbing in the summer like you can in Washington.

If i had one place to move to, it would be Washington. But, i found that is cheaper to buy plane tickets twice a year to Seattle than to move there.

BigMitch wrote:We have lots of cold here in the Upper Midwest, but we can't go ice cIimbing in the summer like you can in Washington.

If i had one place to move to, it would be Washington. But, i found that is cheaper to buy plane tickets twice a year to Seattle than to move there.

True statement! Take it from someone who grew up in the Seattle area...it's better to visit western WA a bunch in the summer and early fall than to live there.

Plenty of good ice at the Sandstone Ice Park today!

If you want a good multi-pitch route, head up to The Nightfall on the North Shore.

Although the purpose of the original poster has elapsed, I add a link to this video for anyone who wants to see what the Sandstone Ice Park has to offer.

Not quite Ouray, but moving in the right direction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSTrQPA9 ... pp=desktop

Hello. I just came across this thread. I'm in Minneapolis this weekend and would love to get out to Sandstone, but am lacking a climbing partner. Does anyone know where I might find one? I've been going along to VE during the week and asking around a bit, but haven't had any luck so far. And I'd rather avoid the cost of a guided trip if possible, as I'm comfortable top-roping or cleaning climbs independently. Cheers!

You might try the Minnesota Climbing Facebook page.