Duluth’s Quarry Park hosted the annual Duluth Ice & Mixed Festival Saturday, February 7, bringing climbers to the former quarry to climb seasonal ice formations that develop along its steep rock walls. The annual event is organized by the Duluth Climbers Coalition
The former quarry, located at 1325 N 59th Ave W, is a known climbing site during the winter months. When temperatures are consistently cold, water flowing down the rock faces freezes into vertical ice formations, creating routes suitable for ice and mixed climbing.
In addition to open climbing, the festival includes instructional clinics listed on the event website. An Introduction to Ice Climbing clinic is described as open to any experience level and focused on learning the basics of moving and ascending on frozen waterfalls. Instruction is provided by Midwest Mountain Guides, which notes that its guided experiences are designed to be customizable
Photos from today show climbers ascending these frozen routes using ropes, helmets, crampons, and ice tools. Several lines were rigged on adjacent ice flows, allowing multiple climbers to be on the wall at the same time. Some climbers are pictured partway up tall ice columns, while others are climbing lower sections near the base of the quarry.
Ice climbing involves ascending frozen water using specialized equipment, while mixed climbing combines ice, rock, and frozen features on a single route. Quarry Park’s steep rock walls and seasonal ice make it one of the few places in Duluth where both styles can occur in an urban setting.
Spectators and other climbers are visible at the base of the quarry, standing among snow-covered brush and rock while watching climbers on the wall. The photos also show climbers waiting their turn, belaying, or observing from below, reflecting the non-competitive, open format the festival has followed in past years.
The Duluth Ice & Mixed Festival has been held at Quarry Park for multiple winters and is organized independently by the Duluth Climbers Coalition, a local nonprofit focused on climbing access, stewardship, and community. The event typically takes place during peak ice conditions and is dependent on weather and ice formation.
