S2 E4: Bill Thompson - Michigan Ice Fest organizer.

Some of Lake Superior's five National Parks are closed for the winter. But Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has become one of the most visited winter recreation areas in the Great Lakes. Headquartered in Munising, Michigan,  Pictured Rocks is home to trails for snowshoeing, skiing, and snowmobiling. The park also ranks as one of the nation's premier ice climbing venues. Coming up February 9, the 30th annual Michigan Ice Fest—the longest-running ice-climbing event in the country—kicks off in Munising. Bill Thompson, climber, co-owner of Down Wind Sports, and event organizer, has been there from the beginning. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Bill shares why the event has grown from a handful of dedicated climbers to over a thousand participants, attracting some of the world's best climbers and those giving the sport a try for the very first time.Sponsored by Cafe Imports, a Minneapolis-based importer of fine, specialty green coffees. Independently owned and operated since 1993, Cafe Imports has been dedicated to decreasing its impact on the earth through renewable energy, carbon neutrality, and by supporting conservational efforts in places where quality coffee is grown and also, where quality coffee is consumed. Where does your coffee come from?