Midwest Mountaineering: Finding Community at the Michigan Ice Fest

When Steve House tells you to go, you go.

During an Everest 101 session, I asked my coach, Steve House, a blunt question: “How am I supposed to practice these skills without dropping $10k on an expedition every time?”

His answer was immediate: Go to the Michigan Ice Fest. Stop waiting for the "perfect" mountain and start using what’s in your backyard. I went with a checklist of gear to explore and the mindset of just getting to know the gear I’d be using in Ecuador. I spent a huge chunk of my time in the “Gearnasium,” treating the brand reps like technical consultants. Getting fitted for mountaineering boots by someone who understands "heel lift" and the nuances of a semi-automatic crampon is the difference between a successful summit and a miserable retreat.

Beyond the Ice: The Vibe in Munising

Our frozen waterfall wasn’t fully frozen, and crampons broke through.

What surprised me most wasn't the ice climbing—it was how the festival was actually run. For an event with over a thousand people, it felt incredibly intimate. The variety was wild. One minute I’m getting technical beta from a North Face rep over a Coffee Talk, the next I’m doing Climbing Crafts or heading over to see the start of the UP 200 dog sled race. It was an exciting little bubble of climbing nerds just like me.

Meeting legendary mountaineer Conrad Anker

I even ended up at a book signing with Conrad Anker and Mark Wilford. When I talked to Conrad, he didn't give me a "pro athlete" soundbite; he talked about mentorship. It’s easy to think of mountaineering as a solo pursuit—just you against your training spreadsheets—but he reminded me that the knowledge you can gain from a seasoned pro or a new partner is the real currency of the mountains. I was introduced to even more inspiring athletes like Katie McKinstry Stylos, Katie Berg, and Kelsey Rex, who prove every day that there’s a place for women in the mountains, too.

The Takeaway

I went to Michigan hoping to come home with a better understanding of gear, but I came home with much more. I found a community of energetic people that made me feel at home. They didn’t look at me like I was crazy when I said I want to climb Mt. Everest or when I was nerding out over my favorite climbers. And I made a couple new friends who understand the struggle of Midwest Mountaineering (if there is such a thing) and who I could join on future adventures! In this sport, one person you can actually trust on a rope is worth more than a stadium of acquaintances.

Women’s Intro to Ice Climbing Dream Team with guides Katie Berg and Kelsey Rex