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Iowa city climbing

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lukas Jordan · · Iowa City, IA · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 205

Anyone climb that lives in iowa near iowa city. Moved from Vegas and wanting to get on some rock? I have two kids so they may come every once and awhile. Climb v9 highest and project 12+ in sport if you want to get out let me know

CornCob · · Sandy, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 20

Probably the best climbing in Iowa is Pictured Rocks for sport climbing, or Backbone State Park for trad. Outside of those two locations Iowa is pretty flat. The University of Iowa has a rec center with a climbing wall, but I'm not sure if it has been reopened since someone fell a few years ago. In the winter there is an ice silo to climb in Cedar Falls.

Pete Cutler · · Des Moines, IA · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 5

Climb Iowa is a really nice indoor facility in Des Moines if you're ever in this area. Other than that, Pictured Rocks has polished limestone climbing. Nice day outing with a few 11+ routes that are really cool.

Better get used to the long road trip!
A group of us out of Des Moines get out a fair amount. Arkansas in winter months and west in the summer months. Hit me up of you want to get out

Bill McKirgan · · Cheyenne, WY · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 466

Hey Lucas,

Welcome to Iowa. Most of the outdoor climbing is in the Eastern side of the state, and Pictured Rocks near Monticello, Iowa is by far the easiest to find and get to know. If you are living around Iowa City this is a good place to get started climbing in Iowa.

At PR you will encounter many other climbers and can ask for help getting to know the place, and learn about other places to climb in the state. There is one major trail along the river at PR. Many people like to warm up at the Mild Iowa wall and then continue the trail up river to the A-wall / Comic Gallery. These areas are often crowded, and that can be good if you want to chat people up and learn about what's good to climb.

Are you living in Iowa City? You may have already discovered their indoor climbing wall at the University of Iowa Recreation Center. The rec center is open to the public as well as the university students, faculty and staff. A day pass is under $10. I think you can test-out on the belay check and that might cost around $10. The wall has been reopened since an accident a few years ago.

Send me a PM if you want to climb with me and my friends. I won't be able to climb this weekend, but hope for next.

--Bill

PS: Devils Lake is only 3 hours away (from Cedar Rapids), and if you take off early in the morning it can be a great day trip.

CornCob · · Sandy, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 20
Bill McKirgan wrote:The wall has been reopened since an accident a few years ago.
Good to hear they opened back up, I hadn't looked into it since the accident. I'll have to check out that wall the next time I'm in town.
Craig T · · Chicago, IL · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 0

Devil's Lake is 3 hours, but Governor Dodge is a shade over 2. Not much roped climbing there, but a good amount of bouldering with more potential to be found.

lukas Jordan · · Iowa City, IA · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 205

Where is governor dodge at? Also thanks for the info let everyone know when I can make it out to go climb

Ryan Dirks · · Washington D.C. · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 5

I would add that Indian bluffs is great if you can find it. It has far fewer people than PR, and has some longer routes. But wayfinding is a bit tricky. It would be best if you could go with someone who's already been there (I would go, but I live in OR now). Hoot bluff is slightly farther but sounds a bit more up your alley. Most of the routes are short but hard. Have fun! It sounds like you'll be able to do most of the routes in the state before long...

Craig T · · Chicago, IL · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 0
mountainproject.com/v/gover…

Governor Dodge is in Dodgeville, WI. Be sure to get your 4/$1 donuts at the gas station in town.
David Wadsworth · · Waukon, IA · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 40

I've been thinking about camping & climbing at Indian/Hoot. Does anyone have experience with this? The camping that is. DNR says it's OK. And Lukas, my 8 year old seems to be more interested in climbing when there's other kids around, so whenever you feel like getting out with the kids...

lukas Jordan · · Iowa City, IA · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 205

Hey guys I can't email or message threw my phone so if you can climb at picture rocks tomorrow let me know. Otherwise I may take a drive to governor dodge park for some boulders. Let me know if anyone can make it. Also sat and Sunday's are good also. Hope to get my computer up tonight. And hope to hear back for someone to climb with. Enjoy

lukas Jordan · · Iowa City, IA · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 205

Also not sure what hoot area is or Indian bluffs but if close I am willing to go.

lukas Jordan · · Iowa City, IA · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 205

Also not sure what hoot area is or Indian bluffs but if close I am willing to go.

lukas Jordan · · Iowa City, IA · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 205

Also not sure what hoot area is or Indian bluffs but if close I am willing to go.

Ethan Little · · Las Vegas · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 273
David Wadsworth wrote:I've been thinking about camping & climbing at Indian/Hoot. Does anyone have experience with this? The camping that is. DNR says it's OK. And Lukas, my 8 year old seems to be more interested in climbing when there's other kids around, so whenever you feel like getting out with the kids...
We've camped at Indian Bluffs a couple of times on the west end of the bluff. There's a fire pit up there, too. I'd be weary camping down in the river valley as there always seemed to be at least one hunter walking around the area. We were woken up early in the morning once to the sound of a gunshot... It was close and I was definitely glad we were up above.
David Wadsworth · · Waukon, IA · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 40

Thanks for the tip Ethan. I'm headed to Hoot bluff tonight and could use a partner for either there or pictured rocks tomorrow, 10/25. Text me @ 563.419.0390

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Midwest
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