Because Iowa’s landscape is seriously lacking in mountains, the ISU Mountaineering Club is trying its best to get a climbing wall built in the State Gym in order to practice its sport.

The idea is not new, however. Recreation Services has planned on building the climbing wall in three to four years, at which time additions will be added to the Lied Recreation/Athletic Facility.

The club, however, does not want to wait that long, said Ben Winborn, president of the Mountaineering Club.

Members have wanted a practice wall for some time, but until recently, nothing has been done about it, he said. The club is in the process of making plans to build a wall at the State Gym, but nothing has been approved yet, Winborn said.

“It will be great to have a wall at the rec, but we really need one now so we can stay in shape and keep up on our skills during the winter months,” Winborn said.

The estimated cost for the wall at the rec center would be about $100,000. Constructing a wall at the State Gym would probably cost less than $1,000 for a small bouldering wall, Winborn said.

The university will cover the costs for the future wall at the rec center, but the Mountaineering Club will try to supplement some of the costs for one at State Gym, if not pay for all of it, Winborn said.

Neumann Brothers Building will donate the wood and construction materials, and Apollo Travels will provide the climbing holds for the wall that will be located at the State Gym, he said.

“I am glad they are putting in a wall because it is a unique way to introduce people to rock climbing. Hopefully, more people will get interested in it. It’s a way for beginners to get involved and experienced climbers to stay in shape,” Winborn said.

The Mountaineering Club has been at Iowa State for about seven or eight years, but the club took a three-year recess.

“A few years ago, during the summer, the club became inactive, and it never started back up again,” said Charles Baker, Mountaineering Club adviser. “The previous adviser quit. Later, I started looking for climbing partners and it has just blossomed from there.”

The club was reunited in the fall of ’95, and since then there have been 45 to 50 members who participate in all kinds of mountaineering activities including camping, rock climbing and multifunctional activities centered around the outdoors.

Recently, the mountaineers received their first competition invitation, but they are not quite sure if they will be going or not.

“This would be our first time ever competing at an event like this, but if we had a wall of our own, we could host our own competitions,” Baker said.

In the meantime, the club members stay busy taking trips to Backbone State Park, Mississippi Palisades Park, Blue Mounds in Minnesota, Rocky Mountains and the Grand Tetons. They are planning a spring break trip to Samsthrone, Ark.

The mountaineering club encourages anyone interested to join. Attending the meetings is the only requirement, and equipment is provided by the club, Winborn said.