An unexpected frozen adventure, like never before. Ice Climbers of Starved Rock, an original documentary by Starved Rock Hikers, explores the authentic journey of an extraordinary community of ice climbers scaling frozen waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park in Illinois.
Client
Starved Rock Hikers
Completed
Winter 2024
Services
Motion, Aerials, Stills
Industry
Documentary
Sports
Ice Climbers of Starved Rock began as a simple question: who are the people drawn to these frozen landscapes, and why? Our team set out to document a rarely seen winter phenomenon at Starved Rock State Park and the dedicated climbers who return year after year to scale its frozen waterfalls.
Filmed entirely in winter conditions, this project required careful planning, patience, and trust between our crew and the climbing community. We spent multiple days in sub-freezing temperatures capturing both the physical challenge of ice climbing and the quieter moments in between. Interviews were intentionally stripped back to keep the focus on authenticity, while cinematic visuals and natural sound design helped immerse viewers in the environment.
Rather than presenting ice climbing as a spectacle, we focused on the human connection to place. The film explores why people are drawn to difficult, fleeting moments in nature and how Starved Rock State Park becomes something deeper than a destination during winter. The result is a documentary that feels intimate, grounded, and honest.
Learn more about the film by visiting www.starvedrockhikers.com/ice-climbers. Presented by: Illinois Office of Tourism, Starved Rock Hikers, and Heritage Corridor Destinations.