ACC Gazette Section Stories: Manitoba + St Boniface
2024 IceFest participants. Photo: Ray Hope
A Tale of Two Sections: Manitoba & Saint Boniface
Photos & story by Ray Hope
In the heart of Winnipeg, two ACC sections have cultivated a vibrant climbing community, each with its unique heritage and offerings. The Manitoba Section, established in 1906 alongside the ACC itself, has long been a pillar of the mountaineering and climbing scene. Over the decades, it has organized countless trips to the mountains and local crags, offering outdoor climbing, hiking, skiing, and mountaineering adventures. One of its most celebrated events is the annual Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour, attracting over 2,000 attendees.
Meanwhile, the Saint Boniface Section joined the ACC in the 1990s. This section has its roots in travelling to French-speaking communities around Winnipeg and introducing them to climbing with a portable wall. Over time, the section upgraded to a permanent 60-foot tower in Saint Boniface. Equipped with gym climbing holds in summer, and with an emphasis on ‘gym to crag’ that’s unique from other climbing gyms in the area, and then transformed into a Grade 4-5 ice climbing structure in winter, the tower has become a local landmark.
Despite their distinct histories, these two sections share a common passion for climbing, particularly ice climbing. Collaborative ice climbing trips to destinations like Sandstone, Minnesota, and Thunder Bay have forged a strong bond between the sections. However, their most significant joint venture is the annual ice festival held in Laclu, Ontario.
The story of this festival begins with Paul Monney, an industrious climber with a vision. Recognizing the scarcity of natural ice climbing near Winnipeg, Paul conceived the idea of “farming” ice on a cliff in Northwestern Ontario. He enlisted the help of his friend Ashton Beaupré and a few others, setting their sights on a north-facing rock face known as South Cliff at Gooseneck Lake. This cliff, once popular for rock climbing, had fallen into disuse, making it an ideal candidate for their project.
Each winter, Paul and his team would haul gear and tents to the cliff, camping in harsh conditions as they pumped water from the lake to the top to create the ice formations. The early years were grueling, with little external support as the team honed their ice farming techniques. Despite the hardships, their efforts were not in vain. They were not only forming ice but also building a legacy within the climbing community.
After several hard winters of trial and error farming ice, Paul acquired a cabin on Laclu. From his new vantage point, he noticed another promising cliff across the lake. A short 15-minute walk across the frozen lake led to what would become the main and pillar cliffs. The latter, with its natural overhangs, allowed the team to create stunning ice pillars. These new ice formations quickly became a focal point for local climbers and an attraction for the community, who would stop by to watch the climbers in action.
In 2021, the Manitoba and Saint Boniface sections of the ACC decided to collaborate with Paul Monney to host an ice festival at Laclu. The Laclu IceFest has since grown in popularity, drawing over 25 participants each year. The most recent event even featured a winter survival clinic hosted by Mountain Equipment Company (MEC), adding another layer of excitement and learning for attendees.
This family-friendly festival is more than just a climbing event; it’s a celebration of community and the shared love for the outdoors. Climbers from both sections come together to challenge themselves on the ice, share stories around the campfire, and forge lasting friendships. Some participants choose to brave the winter cold and camp on the ice overnight, adding an extra layer of adventure and camaraderie. The success of the festival is a testament to the power of collaboration and to the spirit of adventure that defines the ACC.
As the festival continues to grow, it promises to become a cornerstone event for climbers in the region. The story of its inception and growth serves as an inspiration to climbers and adventurers everywhere, reminding us that with passion, creativity, and collaboration, even the most ambitious dreams can become reality. These two sections are not just shaping ice; they are shaping the future of climbing in Winnipeg and beyond. Event organizers Ray and Jackie Hope, Trisha Burch and Charles Roy look forward to continuing growing the event and to inspiring others to take on leadership roles within this incredible community.
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