Rock Climbing Farmer Scales Silo Mountain

Rock climbing farmer scales silo mountain AG WORLD Ag World 10-1-19 When Bob and Karen Grenzow returned to their farm near Elkhorn, Wis., after attending a mountain climbing school in the Colorado rockies, they needed a place to practice. They found a big challenge right out by the barn ù their 45-ft. silo. "We go out west whenever we can but our ice-covered silo gives us a good workout in the meantime," says Bob Grenzow. He simply strings a garden hose to the top of the unused, empty silo, attaches four herbicide fan-type nozzles, to it, and waits for cold weather. Once started, it takes 1¢ to 2 weeks to make enough ice to climb. The ice is generally about 4-ft. thick at the bottom. Bob and Karen climb the ice with ice axes in hand and spiked shoes, called crampons, on their feet. They always use a rope for safety. "By making a few minor adjustments with the nozzles we've found that we can vary the degree of difficulty of the climb. If we want a wider base or more vertical ice near the top, we simply direct the spray to the spot. We can also create different routes to the top. As for the climbing itself, we've found it to be as difficult, or even more difficult, than many of the natural ice climbs in the Rockies," says Bob. The Grenzows, who raise veal calves, say they've had interest from other climbers who want to rent time on their silo but say they've refused for liability reasons.

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