Iowa Farm Silos Used for Ice Climbing
THURSDAY, 18 JANUARY 2007
Silos in Jim Budlong's farm near Cedar Falls have not been used since 1986. His friend, University of Northern Iowa (UNI) physical education teacher Don Briggs, has asked him about it and thought about making ice climbing perch out of the silos.
Briggs, an avid climber, began "one of the more unusual combinations of winter sport and farming". He had also written a short book, "Silo Ice Climbing, Ice Climbing in the Midwest", which provides information about the different types of silos and the guidelines on how to coat the silos with ice.
Today, ice climbing using the silos is a part of the class schedule at UNI. Students wear proper gear for safety reasons. Helmet and eye protection are also required. "It's an addiction," Andy Rowland, a former student says. He now helps bring Briggs newer students into the silos. "It's fun," he says.
Read more about this news story at www.iowafarmer.com.
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