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Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center

Iowa

Description

A pleasant, shaded training ground for the most dedicated and curious climbers. You don’t have to imagine too hard to believe you are climbing on fine desert sandstone. The friction on these things is unreal. 

The approach is short, the landings are chill and there is a zip line. The boulders dry faster than any of the local rock so you can climb on it almost immediately after rain. They also heat up and melt off quickly in the winter. 


Climbs range in difficulty and will likely be contrived as the difficulty increases. Play along and you will be rewarded with fantastic problem solving skills and tendons of steel.


Overall this is a great place to introduce someone to the physics and beauty of climbing. However, don’t let the fact that they are plastic fool you, hard problems await if you are willing to play the game.

Getting There

Go to the Wickiup Outdoor Learning Center. Park in the lot and walk on the right side of the building up the “wandering woods trail”. Contain your excitement as the boulders come into view.

Wickiup Hill Learning Center
(319) 892-6485
goo.gl/maps/TMTpm7HDU7PpacN4A

Using the boulders

When searching from problems to climb, please click on the photos to get route information and beta. Be precise when looking at the photos. Use distinctive features to decide which holds are on and which are off. If any pictures are unclear, comment and we will take new pictures to clarify. 

Green= Start Hold(s)
Blue = Hand and Foot holds
Red = Finish Hold/Top out

Some problems are also open feet, which means use whatever feet you find useful. 

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

"This feels just like Joes Valley sandstone" -Joe
[Hide Photo] "This feels just like Joes Valley sandstone" -Joe
Golden hour
[Hide Photo] Golden hour