How to Climb Boulders
Bouldering is the act of climbing very difficult sequences, called problems, on boulders so that the dangers of a fall are minimized. Some boulder problems are traverse sequences that are barely a foot off the ground, while others go from the ground to the top of the boulder. High boulder problems can have an extreme danger of falling that can be mitigated by the use of pads or a rope.
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
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Tips and technique
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1
Get a guidebook to the local bouldering area to research and plan the routes you want to climb.
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2
Partner with somebody at the boulder and spot each other while you climb. A spotter can help you if you fall by preventing you from falling on your back or twisting an ankle.
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3
Bring a crash pad with you to the climb and put it at the base of the boulder so that you have a soft surface to land on.
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4
Dip your hands in your chalkbag to keep perspiration on your hands to a minimum; this helps prevent your hands from slipping on the holds.
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5
Watch other climbers tackle different problems to get an idea on a sequence for the climb. Many boulder problems are highly technical, and only one sequence will work.
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6
Look at the chalk marks on the boulder to get an idea on a sequence of moves if you haven't seen someone do the route before. Chalk marks can indicate where handholds on the boulder are.
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7
Use your feet to move up, and keep your arms straight so that your body weight is held by your skeleton, instead of your muscles, so that you don't tire as quickly.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Even small falls can result in injury. Practice jumping off routes rather than falling uncontrollably off a boulder problem.
