What is Bouldering?
Written by: Lucreid
Bouldering is a type of Climbing where you actually don’t need to leave more than twelve feet off the ground. But don’t let the height fool you. Bouldering is not for the faint of heart. It requires total body control and upper body strength. This allows climbers to do certain moves which are dangerous to do if you are more than 50 feet off the ground.
As its name implies, Bouldering is basically the type of Climbing where one has to work his or her way through a boulder route which is usually called problem. As simple as it may sound, some problems require specific moves for one to get through them. These moves require intense training and practice to successfully pull them off. Keep in mind though that Bouldering doesn’t actually need most pieces of Rock Climbing Equipment such as Ropes, Carabiners and Harnesses. It only requires Climbing Shoes for better scaling, Chalk for better grip, obviously a Chalk Bag for the Chalk to be used, and Crash Pads to cushion a fall. Sometimes, instead of using Crash Pads, climbers assign a spotter, or someone who will stand below the climber to prevent the latter from landing badly.
Bouldering has already been practiced as early as 1880, used by the British in training climbers for longer mountain climbs. It was only during the 1950s when the Father of Modern Bouldering, John Gill, who is also a climber and gymnast, brought Bouldering into the mainstream and made it into a sport in its own right.
As a sport, Bouldering is steadily working its way up to the ranks of extreme sport. It already spawned some star athletes such as Lisa Rands, Ryan Pasquill, Emily Harrington. It is also increasingly getting popular as a sport that promotes physical fitness, body endurance, creativity, and quick thinking.
In short, Bouldering is a sport suitable for people who thrive in adventure and for adrenaline seekers who aren’t afraid to take risks. Sure, it may be difficult at the beginning, but after a few tries on the rock and finally getting the hang of it, rest assured that the feeling of accomplishment and relief will overshadow whatever frustrations you've had when you were starting.
Why Go Bouldering?
It is common for those who are unfamiliar with Bouldering to wonder where the thrill is in scaling a twelve-foot wall. The characteristics below may help you change the way you look at it.
- Bouldering is not all brawn. It does not only require body strength but also the creativity in solving boulder problems. A climber may actually have to dangle a bit to reach that far-off-corner slope, but then again, there may be other ways to traverse your way through it. Overcoming a problem takes a certain amount of creativity aside from the physical exertion involved.
- It’s the perfect drive for physical fitness. Like most things, you cannot simply waltz your way to success. Sometimes, it takes time, and consequently a handful number of times to beat it. Bouldering is a great way to motivate yourself to work out, while pushing yourself to the limit until you eventually succeed.
- It’s ideal for thrill-seekers since Bouldering is never without the risk of getting injured. But more often than not, it is the aspect of danger that turns on some daredevils to try it. One should keep in mind, though, that also because of the risk factor, one should at least be aware of Rock Climbing Safety Guidelines to fully enjoy the sport.
Safety Measures and Guidelines
The dangers of Bouldering can always be lessened, if not prevented at all, by knowing how to do the sport correctly and safely. Here are some tips on how to ensure your safety whenever you go Bouldering:
- Know how to perform basic First Aid.
- Use a Crash Pad. Being a pro in Bouldering will not exempt you from the possibility of falling.
- Training will definitely help you solve boulder problems without straining your muscles. Always remember to have sufficient warm up and cool down periods before and after you go Bouldering.
While we took great pains to discuss Bouldering as exhaustively as we can, nothing beats actually doing it along with the advice from other climbers. Only by experience will you have the chance to improve and know how exciting this style is. So what are you waiting for? Go Bouldering now; the mountain walls are waiting for you.
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