Many people try to stay off the ice in the winter. But some adventure seekers head straight for it! They go to Bozeman, Montana, one of North America’s “coolest” spots for scaling frozen waterfalls.
Bozeman is surrounded by the towering Rocky Mountains. The city is also near Hyalite Canyon, a deep mountain valley with a large reservoir and other lakes.
Hyalite Canyon is a popular place to hike, camp, and fish year-round. But by December, when the area’s average high temperature drops to 21° Fahrenheit, it transforms into a winter wonderland. The canyon’s springs, streams, and waterfalls freeze solid, creating more than 250 natural ice-climbing routes, including the one shown here.
The canyon’s many ice routes attract climbing enthusiasts from around the world, including visitors to the Bozeman Ice Festival, held every December.
But don’t try this at home! Like many sports, ice climbing takes training, practice, and special gear.