| Rock climbing is a sport that numerous people | | | | climber will have a spotter who sets and |
| flock to every year, drawn by the beauty of | | | | watches a mat to catch the climber in case of |
| the mountain, the allure of the climb, and | | | | a fall. If a boulder is too big or |
| the sheer adrenaline rush of scaling rock. | | | | unpredictable a mat and spotter will do no |
| For a select few, simple rock climbing is not | | | | good. |
| enough. For those individuals, there is an | | | | |
| entirely different sport derivative of | | | | For those looking for new boulders to climb, |
| climbing, known as bouldering that pits an | | | | the grading scales used are often open ended, |
| individual without any equipment against a | | | | meaning that larger boulders are always being |
| much shorter climb. Knowing the difference | | | | found and added to the scale. The John |
| between bouldering and rock climbing and how | | | | Sherman scale consists of ratings from V0 to |
| to choose your first boulders is the first | | | | V16 with room for growth above V16 and the |
| step in getting into this exciting climbing | | | | Fontainebleau system ranges from 1 to 8c+, |
| alternative. | | | | also open to grow. |
| | | | |
| Bouldering was originally developed as | | | | As for safety measures, climbers are often |
| practice for rock climbers so as to offer | | | | held to nine foot maximum climbs. Once beyond |
| themselves an opportunity to work on their | | | | the twenty-one foot marker, a boulder climber |
| moves on a smaller scale without the effort | | | | is no longer bouldering but free soloing - a |
| and time involved in a full climb. Over time | | | | derivative of mountain climbing largely |
| however the sport has evolved into its own | | | | considered dangerous. The above mentioned mat |
| sub-sport in which numerous techniques have | | | | is always placed below a boulder climber as |
| been developed and stars have been born. | | | | well to ensure any falls are cushioned. Any |
| | | | bouldering enthusiast should bring along a |
| Bouldering itself is defined by the size of | | | | spotter to watch over their mat. If a climber |
| the boulder being climbed. Without equipment, | | | | falls, the spotter's job is to try and ensure |
| it is generally held that if you can climb a | | | | the climber hits that mat properly. |
| rock without falling to your death, it is | | | | |
| bouldering. Another requirement is that the | | | | Because of the physical demands of the sport, |
| boulder is not an important part of the | | | | bouldering should only be attempted by those |
| mountain. Unlike climbing, bouldering is a | | | | in relatively decent shape. You don't need to |
| short and quick endeavor, involving no | | | | be a world class athlete, but the proper |
| equipment and the quick problem solving | | | | strength training and acumen are vital to |
| approach of a skilled climber. | | | | ensuring you have a safe climb. |
| | | | |
| Another fun aspect of bouldering is that | | | | Bouldering is a great new sporting option for |
| almost anyone can try it if they are in | | | | climbers to practice and those afraid of |
| decent shape. Some boulders are relatively | | | | heights to try climbing. Without the ample |
| safe and small and the average individual | | | | gear, hours long training sessions, or |
| could easily attempt a climb without | | | | expensive process of rock climbing, |
| incident. However, there are other boulders | | | | bouldering is quickly growing into a popular |
| well beyond the scope of some people that | | | | high-impact alternative for quick and |
| could cause bodily harm. Often, a boulder | | | | thrilling climbs. |