Winter can be a sleepy time at the National Parks on Lake Superior, but at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising, Michigan, visitors come to snowmobile, mush dogs, snowshoe, fish and cross-country ski. But the biggest event to bring folks into the park is the Michigan Ice Fest. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Ice Fest organizer Bill Thompson about the event and what makes Pictured Rocks such a Mecca for the sport.

Key Takeaways:

• The Michigan Ice Fest has grown from a small gathering in 1991 to an internationally recognized event, drawing over 1,100 participants from 38 states and seven countries.
• Ice climbing at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers a one-of-a-kind experience, with ice formations over open water that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
• Ice Fest caters to all skill levels, from beginners as young as eight to seasoned climbers, with professional athletes providing instruction and inspiration at the event.
• Even in warmer winters with limited ice, the festival continues as an educational and community event, showcasing presentations and fostering camaraderie.
• The event’s unique location, accessibility, and passionate community make it a cornerstone of adventure tourism in Munising, Michigan.

Notable Quotes:

• “With the advent of social media and a few professional athletes spreading the word, there’s nowhere in the world that you can go ice climbing over open water, with crashing waves and the beauty of Lake Superior.”
• “Ice climbing is a sport for anyone looking to go out, have an adventure, and try something new.”
• “Ice climbing takes you places that not a lot of people in this world can get to.”
• “Our safety system is really thought out. Instead of focusing on, ‘Oh man, I’m high,’ I’m focusing on the ice in front of me. You have all of these interesting patterns of ice, you can hear the water trickling behind it, so the sounds are very unique. It’s just really, really special."

Resources:

• Michigan Ice Fest Website (michiganicefest.com) – Learn more about the event, clinics, and presentations.
• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm) – Explore the beauty of this unique park.
• Ice Climbing Safety and Equipment (michiganicefest.com/information/festival-planning/safety/) – Better nderstand the gear and precautions used at the festival.

Connect With Us:

• Website: (nplsf.org/podcast)
• Facebook: (facebook.com/NPLSF)
• LinkedIn: (linkedin.com/company/national-parks-of-lake-superior-foundation)

Sponsors:

• Cafe Imports: Supporting environmental sustainability in coffee-growing regions since 1993. (cafeimports.com).
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation: Support vital projects by donating at (nplsf.org).

Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Bill Thompson’s incredible stories of adventure, community, and ice climbing at one of the most unique national parks in the world.

New Year Resolutions, if you don’t make them, chances are you thought about it. But do those promises keep? In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Bugsy Sailor, the Official Unofficial Ambassador of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Bugsy shares how a resolution he made on January 1, 2019, changed his life.

Key Takeaways:

• Bugsy Sailor captures daily sunrises around Lake Superior, embracing nature’s raw beauty and the unpredictability of the seasons.
• His commitment to photographing every sunrise since 2019 highlights the power of routine, resilience, and creative passion in overcoming challenges.
• Bugsy emphasizes the importance of embracing inclement weather, breaking stereotypes that sunrises must always be "beautiful and majestic."
• Through his Sunrise Gallery and community engagement, Bugsy fosters a deeper connection between people and nature, inspiring others to watch more sunrises.
• His solo adventures and reflections on accountability demonstrate how setting measurable goals can cultivate positive habits and a mindful approach to life.

Notable Quotes:

• “It always keeps things fresh. There's a ton of variety within our seasons and on the shores of Lake Superior.”
• “I think if you start with sunrise and you get up and out the door to watch sunrise, it makes the day attainable. You at least started it on the right foot and can give yourself that potential to live that day to the fullest.”
• “It's just getting up to that water and that, that impact of being connected with nature every day.”

Resources:

• Bugsy Sailor on Year of the Sunrise: yearofthesunrise.com
• Upper Peninsula Supply Company: upsupply.co
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation: nplsf.org

Be sure to tune in to this inspiring episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Bugsy Sailor’s incredible journey of capturing sunrises, his resilience in the face of challenges, and his passion for connecting with nature on a daily basis.

Connect With Us:

• Website: Lake Superior Podcast
• Facebook: National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation
• LinkedIn: NPLSF on LinkedIn

The forests that ring Lake Superior are some of the most magical on the continent. At the tip of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, in Copper Harbor, you’ll find the Estivant Pines. This 570 acres of old-growth pine has lured hikers for decades. But saving this stand of ancient timber was no small feat.

It started over 50 years ago and in this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with photographer and forester Charles Esshbach from Houghton, Michigan, about his work to protect one of the Upper Peninsula’s most remarkable natural treasures.

Tune in to learn how his story of conservation--from skiing in deep snow with his camera to the cooperation of classrooms around the region--has inspired generations.

Key Takeaways:

• The Estivant Pines are one of the last contiguous stands of old-growth white pines in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with some trees towering over 150 feet and dating back 500 years.
• Grassroots efforts, including a committee of 17 citizens and even fundraising by schoolchildren, were critical to saving the sanctuary from logging in the 1970s.
• Photography played a pivotal role in raising awareness, with Charles documenting the pines’ beauty and the destruction they faced, galvanizing public support.
• The sanctuary’s preservation has inspired generations, creating a deeper understanding of the value of conserving natural habitats for future generations.
• Conservation efforts have not only saved the forest but also educated the public, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility in the region.

Notable Quotes:

• “You always know your backyard the best, and the Keweenaw is my backyard.”
• “The kids led the way. School children raised money, from quarters dropped in buckets to can drives, to save these trees.”
• “These trees are four to five hundred years old. It’s amazing that they’re still there.”
• “Our little committee of seventeen people persevered through countless setbacks.”
• “This is a piece of history - a legacy of what we’ve preserved and achieved.”

Resources:

• Estivant Pines Sanctuary Information: Estivant Pines (https://www.michigannature.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=locationgallery&action=listing&listing=110)
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation: NPLSF Website (https://www.nplsf.org/)

Be sure to tune in to this inspiring episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Charles’s incredible story of conservation and community dedication.

Connect With Us:

• Website: Lake Superior Podcast
• Facebook: National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation
• LinkedIn: NPLSF on LinkedIn