About Bouldering Walls

This article is intended to give an overview of what a Bouldering Wall is, what they are used for, how they are made and some considerations for their use.

The Facts

Bouldering is a sub-discipline of rock climbing that focuses on highly difficult, but short, sequences of hand- and footholds, or bouldering "problems.". A bouldering wall is a short wall or configuration of panels, normally plywood, with small handholds attached to it built for the purpose of climbing on--or bouldering on. The distinction between a bouldering wall and a climbing wall, is a matter of height and equipment. Bouldering typically occurs at 15 feet or less, with anything higher being termed "Highball.". However tall, all bouldering walls have one thing in common: no ropes. Climbing walls are typically much higher and will include some provision for a safety rope. You can find both types of indoors climbing at a local "climbing gym".

Function

Bouldering walls can function as a training tool for climbers who favor longer routes, as an end to themselves for dedicated boulderers or as simple recreation for people new to or uninterested in technical climbing.
The boulderer may attempt a problem for weeks, or even months on end, before completing the sequence of moves. In this case, a single movement, or change of hand position, may be the key to a problem.
A given "problem" on a bouldering wall will be marked by pieces of tape in a designated color. While beginners will want to climb on any hold available simply to get the idea of climbing techniques, a veteran climber will stick with, say, the orange-taped route, which might be rated V4.
The V-scale begins at V-0, appropriate for most beginners, up to V15, one of the most difficult bouldering problems. It can be highly competitive.
Normally, though, bouldering is thought of as a good workout for the arms, shoulders and back, as well as a balance activity. It's a lot of fun.

Risk Factors

As with any form of climbing, there are inherent risks that can be minimized. Bouldering risks handholds breaking, falling on one's head, neck or ankles, tendon bone or muscle injury in the hands due to the intense athletic nature of the sport, and even paralysis or death. When climbing cracks, the hands frequently become abraded and even bloody. Of these, rolling or spraining an ankle and mild tendon injuries to the hands are by far the most common.

Evolution

In recent years, bouldering walls have evolved from simple overhanging sheets of plywood with handholds attached to some rather complicated fibreglass models with a natural stone appearance. When indoor climbing first became popular, most walls were home built from 2-by-6 studs, T-nuts and three-quarter-inch plywood with the holds bolted or screwed on. As indoor climbing gyms have grown in popularity, though, more sophisticated construction techniques have become available.

Expert Insight

Once seen as the poor man's way to train at home, bouldering has entered the mainstream as a way to stay physically active. They are commonly used by professional climbers to develop hand strength and coordination. In all likelihood, you'll have a blast and find a new way to keep active.

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