Ice climbing may be a niche sport, but it has soared in popularity in Algoma region with climbers coming from as far away as South Africa to try it.
Shaun Parent, author, ice-climbing guide, and owner of Superior Exploration, began developing climbs around Thunder Bay in 1979 and has been doing it ever since though he says the sport originated in Europe – a deviation from mountain climbing.
To “develop” one means to navigate the climb for the first time and Parent has personally developed thousands within the Algoma region. “Ice climbing was really started in the Soo around 1983 by Ron Stier,” says Parent. “He was really the pioneer of rock and ice climbing up north, while I was developing similar climbs in North-Western Ontario. He got a hold of me somehow when I was 30 because of the climbs I had developed in the Agawa Canyon.”
Stier and Parent became fast friends and began climbing the North landscapes together – even taking a trip to Peru to climb the snow-covered Rasac mountain. “Ron and I did a route up the East face with a harness, ropes, and ice-climbing gear,” said Parent of the crazy challenge. After that epic trip, the two continued to climb the Agawa Canyon when Parent first published a guide book of the different ice climbs in 1997: “Ice Climbing Guide To Agawa Canyon” – since then he has published over 15 books on the sport.
Sadly, with the removal of passenger trains, the Agawa Canyon has become inaccessible for people who wish to climb there. But Parent says there are equally beautiful climbs in the Searchmont region, Batchewana Bay, Gros Cap, Roi Lake Road, Mile 67, Westfalia Wall, and many other regions within Algoma.
Those wishing to try the sport have the opportunity to be guided by the best: Parent personally guides beginners to advanced students through a series of ice climbing lessons. You’ll need climbing boots, crampons that fit on them (which are provided), a couple of ice tools, a helmet, a harness, and climbing ropes. The best clothes to wear are “bib pants” and an outer shell like ski pants – and of course, water-proof gloves.
A three-day expedition to the Montreal River in Batchawana (accessible only via snowmachine) costs $900 per person and includes all equipment needed. A day for beginners runs around $160 - children under 14 are half price.
“Some of the biggest climbs can run up to 160 metres,” says Parent. “It really depends on where the client is in their fitness journey.” A famous climb called Stratosphere has only been completed four times – though it’s had eight attempts. “Sometimes people from Southern Ontario, for example, may only have done a climb 50 metres or so – and they can get tired or burned out and unable to finish.”
As for what’s kept him going, Parent says ice climbing can become addictive. “It’s just this really unique experience,” he says. “You really have to try it for yourself to see what it’s like. I like it because I’m real exploratory. I rarely do the same climb twice – unless it’s guiding someone else.”
Being the first one to climb various ice cliffs, Parent's also had the privilege of naming them. A few of his favourites include “Comfortably Numb” (because it was 80 metres high and took about two hours to climb), and “Talk About Good” (simply because it’s a good first climb for beginners).
For more information on rates and routes, contact the King of Ice Climbing – Shaun Parent at SuperiorExploration.ca