Michigan climbing
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Hey everyone! |
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A place called Grand Ledge is centrally located and has some sport I believe. Not too tall, but something worth a day or so. |
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Grand ledge is fun but only for day trips. Its all TR because the rock is soft. Other than that the red or southern Illinois is the closest climbing besides gyms. There is also climbing in the upper peninsula (some rock but good ice from what i hear)but is pretty far up there. What area are you moving to? |
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My .02: |
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Max Supertramp wrote:My .02: Don't do it. I grew up there, driving 40 minutes one way to hit Grand Ledge. Not worth it. You could just quit climbing in MN instead. Your call.I'm 4 hours away from any kind of legal rock climb here in Illinois, so I'd take that 40 minutes any day to Grand Ledge. That's closer than a decent rock gym around here. |
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Michigan is about as far from anything enjoyable than anywhere in the country. I went to high school there and left as soon as I could. There is nothing that would ever convince me to go back there. Grand ledge is not worth a 10 min drive, your better off in the gym. |
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Alasdair wrote:Michigan is about as far from anything enjoyable than anywhere in the country. I went to high school there and left as soon as I could. There is nothing that would ever convince me to go back there. Grand ledge is not worth a 10 min drive, your better off in the gym. If you do any other outdoor activities that dont include motorized vehicals forget it. If you try to ride a bike you will be barraged by constant verbal abuse. If you run there will be no sidewalks or places to do it. Michigan does not value open space or outdoor activities, and you cant do anything without getting in a car.! Sounds like you are pretty glad to be out of Michigan. I always thought with their great lakeside parks and the huge northwoods, that Michigan was a pretty good 'open space or outdoor activities' kind of location. Imagine living in south end of state or near Detroit, etc. might put a real negative on any feelings. But not being a gym rat, I'd still go for the feel of real rock at Grand Ledges under my hands and feet ahead of a 4 plus hour drive. |
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Yea the SE michigan area is where I was. Northern Michigan is better, but it takes a long time to get there. Better off heading to Kentucky for the weekend. |
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Wow, lots of mitten hate. I grew up there and loved it. It is the weeks with 100F temps and half the state on fire in Colorado that make me pine for the Great Lakes. I started climbing in a gym like most mid-west kids. Michigan has *some* climbing opportunities, but they are more off the beaten path and less developed. |
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Tony, you got yourself a job with the Michigan tourism bureau any day you want it. |
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With some of the best ice climbing in the country and endless rock routes in the Upper Peninsula (and no climbers to boot), I would have to say Michigan isn't all that bad! |
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Bill Thompson wrote:With some of the best ice climbing in the country and endless rock routes in the Upper Peninsula (and no climbers to boot), I would have to say Michigan isn't all that bad!Great photo! The trick with the UP is the distance. If you live in SE Michigan, it's a haul to get up there. However, if you do take the time to get there, it is beautiful and remote. |
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Looks like a hell of a runout Bill! |
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DON'T |
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DO! Drive isn't too bad and the weather is so much cooler then down south! Plus the scenery isn't too shabby either |
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I've climbed in the UP in 5 or so areas, and I've always been really impressed with the feel. Never felt like the areas got much attention, which is a big plus in my book. |
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I grew up in West Michigan and it was pretty awesome! Mountain bike trails, Sand dune camping on Lake Michigan, hiking, kayaking & tubing the rivers etc. About an hour and a half for me to get to Grand Ledge. A fun place to check out but perhaps not on a regular basis. |
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I lived in SE MI and went to school up in Marquette. |
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Hey Jon, |
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Tony T. wrote:Detroit, it's a great place to live and full of positive young people doing fantastic things.I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but.......Are You Effin Kiddin' Me Tony?!?!?! What, did you live in Bloomfield Hills or something?? Sipping Martinis while the Crackheads were selling their rocks to 2nd graders, a few blocks away???? Or maybe it was their 'BOOMING' economy that really set your inspirations ablaze??.......i mean, it certianly couldn't have been their plethora of BADD ASS climbing! Sorry, but, DON"T listen to Tony----MICHIGAN SUUUUUUUCKS!!! I left right after highschool and Never looked back. |