Bouldering is essentially the first form of climbing. It involves almost no gear, just shoes and chalk, both of which are optional. Because of its purity people are often attracted to bouldering. It is also the least expensive discipline of climbing, because the lack of required gear. This article will run you through the history of bouldering and give you a definition of what exactly it is.
Bouldering is simply the art of climbing on boulders. In official competition, climbing is defined as 12 feet in an indoor competition, and 24 feet in outdoor. Generally, over 12 feet is called a high ball. Routes are called problems. This discipline of climbing does not require climbing endless walls or scaling for many days. However, bouldering is anything but simple. Bouldering often requires the most difficult individual moves. There can be only eight to ten moves in a problem but you can be sure that they are not simple. Usually involving negative angled rocks and gymnastic moves, bouldering demands strength and agility more than other forms of climbing.
Typically, bouldering is classified as climbs that are quick in length but extremely high in intensity. Bouldering requires swift powerful moves and often gymnastic-like reaches and positions. It is frequently divided into two types: friction bouldering and crimp bouldering. Friction bouldering is mostly found in the Southeastern United States. This type of bouldering entails spreading the entire surface of the hand across relatively unfeatured parts of rock and relying on the friction to hold on. These unfeatured grips are referred to as slopers, because of their slopes, rather than angles. Crimp bouldering, on the the other hand, involves features in the rock like tiny shelves. As you might have guessed, these holds are simply called crimps. These holds demand a different type of strength. Finger strength and grip strength play an especially important role in this kind of bouldering.
Whatever type and wherever the location, bouldering is an excellent sport. Free from most of the burdens of rock climbing gear, it allows the climber to fully experience the sport in its purest form.
This article was written by Brian Tecklenburg, lover of all outdoor sports including camping, hiking, climbing and more. Brian trusts www.moosejaw.com when he has to buy new outdoor gear and clothing.
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