Mike Bularz of Roselle climbs an ice fall in Ottawa Canyon at Starved Rock State Park on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. The polar vortex has allowed ice columns to form at all of the canyons in the park. Climbers are only allowed to climb in four of the 18 canyons.
An ice climber climbs up a 125-foot ice fall in Wildcat Canyon at Starved Rock State Park on Sunday, Feb 21, 2021. Climbers are allowed in the park only when conditions allow them to climb. Only four canyons are allowed for ice climbing. They include Tonti, La Salle, Ottawa and Wildcat. This is the first time in three years that all ice falls are open to climbing .
Mike Binder of Crown Point Ind. gathers his rope after climbing the ice fall in Ottawa Canyon at Starved Rock State Park on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021.
Mike Bularz of Roselle climbs up an ice fall in Ottawa Canyon at Starved Rock State Park on Saturday, Feb, 20, 2021.
Jeremy Schuler of Lisle climbs up a frozen waterfall in Ottawa Canyon at Starved Rock State Park
An ice climber climbs an ice column in Ottawa Canyon at Starved Rock State Park.
Some of the climbers gear includes rope, ice axes, ice screws, draws, harness, crampons and a backpack.
Mike Bularz of Roselle uses an ice axe as he climbs Ottawa Canyon at Starved Rock State Park.
Ice climbers descend into Wildcat Canyon at Starved Rock State Park.
Ice climbers prepare to descend down an ice column in Ottawa Canyon in Starved Rock State Park.
A sign reading "Registered ice climbers only beyond this point" is posted in Wildcat Canyon at Starved Rock State Park. Climbers are allowed to climb when ice falls are present. They must register at the visitors center before climbing.
A climber practices climbing a small ice fall at the rim of Wildcat Canyon before descending down the 125-foot ice fall.
An ice climber climbs up a 125-foot frozen waterfall in Wildcat Canyon at Starved Rock State Park.
An ice climber begins to climb the stairs to the top of Wildcat Canyon after climbing down the 125-foot ice fall.
Ice climbers climb a 125-foot frozen waterfall in Wildcat Canyon at Starved Rock State Park
Climbers climb an ice fall in Wildcat Canyon as spectators watch at Starved Rock State Park on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021.
A lone ice climber climbs up a frozen waterfall at Starved Rock State Park on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021.
Ice climbers descend into Wildcat Canyon at Starved Rock State Park on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021.
Elliot Hammans of Chicago climbs down an ice fall in Wildcat Canyon at Starved Rock State Park on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. Climbers use special shoes with crampons that allow them to dig into the ice.
Joe Jakupcak, hike tour guide and retired geology teacher, leads a group of tourists on a hike into Wildcat Canyon to watch the ice climbers on Sunday, Feb, 21, 2021. Guided hikes are available to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays. See the Starved Rock Visitors Center for more information.