peladoboton wrote:so now that i find myself living in Mason City, IA....

...where do you go to climb ice in these here parts?

In Cedar Falls there's an iced-down silo in season, great practice: see IOWA OUTDOORS, the Ia. DNR magazine Jan/Feb 2010 just delivered to me today. They want twenty-five bucks to cover overhead, but well worth it. A very congenial crowd--look for Don Briggs, the chief honcho, and Cliff Roy a regular--both fine sources of tips. Briggs runs a U. No. Ia. climbing course on it.

Send a PM if you need directions and can't find the magazine (should be in libraries any day now).

There's also occasional good natural ice in various spots around the state. Others suggested where you might get word.