Where in Iowa can you learn how to safely rock climb safely?

Yesterday I posted about a young man, 13-years of age who fell 80' over a ledge or bluff at Eagles

There are a couple of places. One is Climb Iowa

Taking a belay class would be worth your time.

What's this climbing all about? Iowa has no mountains so how can we compete with guys and gals from places like Colorado? Let Alex Johnson tell you.

Where is Climb Iowa? There are several places to learn. One of course is Climb Iowa and another Wall-Nut Creek at 27563 530^th Avenue, Kelly, Iowa 50134. Phone: 515-460-4121. Email is ash@iowaclimbing.com. I'll print the list below but if you want follow the same Google search for indoor climbing in Iowa as I did.

Climb Iowa

www.climbiowa.com

5401 Miehe Drive
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-2565

Can girls climb? Absolutely; let Michael Ann McGinley tell you what she's done.

What about really young girls? Can they climb? Hey girls can't climb! NOT!

Who is the best female climber world over? Lynn Hill is awfully fun to watch. She's like Spider Woman! Katie Brown is awesome. This video will make your palms sweat. See Katie Brown's slight fall at around 4:20. Wow is she strong on the lead. And listen to Lynn describe climbing without protection at around 6:15. These are strong, tough, brave, determined, disciplined and smart women.

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For additional reading see these posts.

13-year-old boy falls from bluff overlooking Mississippi River

Here is the Iowa indoor climbing list:

Iowa Rock Climbing Walls and Gyms - Mapped locations of Iowa Climbing Gyms.

Ames

Lied Recreation Center
2220 State Gym
Ames, Iowa 50011
Iowa State University
(515) 294-2929
http://www.recservices.iastate.edu
> 1100 sq. ft indoor climbing wall surface. Offers climbing classes, from beginner and belaying to lead climbing.

Cedar Falls

University of Northern Iowa Wellness and Recreation Center
1223 W. 22nd Street
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0156
(319) 273-7160
http://www.uni.edu
> 38.5 ft climbing wall

Des Moines

SportsPlex West
890 SE Olson Drive
Waukee Iowa 50263
(515) 987-0806
http://www.sportsplexwest.com
> 36' high. Entre Prises climbing wall. 

Fairfield

MUM Recreation Center
Maharishi University of Management
Fairfield, Iowa 52557
(641) 472-1112
http://www.mum.edu
> 28 ft indoor climbing wall, 3 overhangs, 8 top-ropes, 3 30-ft climbs, and one auto-belay device for solo practice.

Grimes

Climb Iowa
5401 Miehe Drive
Grimes, Iowa 50111
(515) 270-2031
http://www.climbiowa.com
> 9000+ sq ft climbing surface.  36' foot high walls, 13' bouldering wall with training area. Cracks, arêtes, auto belays, bouldering, fitness/cardio equipment.

Iowa City

University of Iowa
E216 Field House
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1111
(319) 335-9293
http://www.recserv.uiowa.edu
> 25 ft. tall by 67 ft. long climbing wall, over 2100 sq. feet of climbing surface. Features a dropped ceiling and a shredded rubber landing surface.

Kelly

Wall-Nut Creek
27563 530th Ave.
Kelly, Iowa 50134
(515) 460-4121
http://www.iowaclimbing.com
> Wall-Nut Creek offers 3,900 ft. of climbing wall with roped climbing to 27 ft. and two large top out boulders, caves and giant overhang boulder.  Lead climbing is available as well as a 24 ft. faux ice wall.

Sioux City

Long Lines Family Recreation Center
401 Gordon Drive
Sioux City, Iowa 51102
(712) 224-5125
http://www.sioux-city.org
> 42' Entre Prises competitive climbing wall, 53' tower, 13' free standing boulder, over 5300 sq. ft.

Waverly

The W at Wartburg College
100 Wartburg Blvd.
Waverly, Iowa 50677
(319) 352-8311
http://www.the-w.org

 

For additional reading see Saturday's post, 13-year-old boy falls from bluff overlooking Mississippi River  and Sunday's post titled, How did they rescue the boy that fell 80' over a rock ledge?