Bouldering

written by Nicole Maksimovic @nicolemaksi

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A test.
A challenge.

Bouldering is climbing up a boulder.

Whether that’s a set route in an indoor gym or an actual boulder outdoors.

It’s a simple challenge.

But it’s not as easy as it looks.

Shoes and chalk

There’s not much you need to get started, especially if you’re headed to a rock climbing gym.

You can rent shoes and chalk at the gym.

Then, with the day pass you got, you can spend as much time as you’d like trying different routes on the walls.

Getting started

Starting indoors is the most common. If you are near an outdoor bouldering hot spot and would like to start there, we encourage you to find an experienced friend or group to join.

Indoors features “routes” — colored holds where you place your hands and feet — that are the climbing challenges.

These are rated on a scale. V0 is considered the easiest and can go all the way up to V15.

Due note, while the scale is pretty universal, difficulty is subjective.

Once you choose a route to work on, you’re only allowed to touch the related, colored holds and the wall itself. Nothing else.

Safety

Indoor bouldering is fairly safe.

As Nicole mentions, you’re climbing over big fluffy mats that are designed to break any falls. You’re rarely higher than 10 feet off the ground. You can jump down to bail or climb down using any of the available holds — even if they weren’t on your route up.

The holds are also built for hands and feet using them.

An important piece is making sure you’re not walking below others climbing. They may be bailing on a route or swinging their body so be cognizant of your surroundings.

Outdoor bouldering

Outdoor bouldering is a fair bit different than your indoor experience. While the fundamentals are the same, the approach to participating and safety has important differences.

Unique boulder problems

Real life boulders come in all types of shapes and sizes. And you have to deal with an outdoor environment. It really can bring you all over the world as you look to conquer the many boulders out there.

Outdoor safety

Crash pads are crucial when you go outdoors. They mimic the gym pads that protect your falls when you’re indoors. Same deal. The different part is that you have to carry them to the boulder.