Photos: Ice climbers flock to Starved Rock State Park

Cody Miller, of Rochelle, descends into Wildcat Canyon in Starved Rock State Park on Friday Jan. 14, 2022. One of the well known climbing ice-falls is Wildcat Canyon. The icefall inside Wildcat is 90 foot tall. The canyon itself is 125 feet high at is the tallest canyon at Starved Rock State Park. Ice climbing is only allowed in La Salle, Ottawa and Wildcat Canyon. Every year hundreds of experienced climbers gather at Starved Rock State Park to spend several days scaling the enormous frozen ice-falls. Climbers are required to bring their own equipment and have prior experience with ice climbing. Climbers must sign in at the parks Maintenance Building across the road from the Visitors Center. All climbers must be off the trails before dark. Ice climbing is a serious endeavor and should be not undertaken without proper training and guidance from veteran climbers. (Scott Anderson)