Bouldering is an exhilarating activity. Here we explain everything you need to practise it confidently and safely.
And that's what bouldering is all about: climbing boulders large enough to be climbed, and small enough that no belay rope is needed to climb them.
This type of climbing is obviously limited to the most experienced climbers. Normally, when facing bouldering problems, we are talking about rocks that allow a fall without consequences... if we are aware of what we are doing, and of the appropriate safety rules that we will see later.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The virtues of bouldering are many, which is why there are real specialists who passionately devote practically all their time and effort to solving boulders.
And make no mistake: compared to the greater safety of sport climbing, bouldering has something reminiscent of classic climbing and mountaineering: precariousness, natural environments, a management and acceptance of risk that involves learning in steps and with confidence and safety, as opposed to the continuous, consequence-free falls of sport climbing.
Bouldering is not risk-free, and falls in bad positions do occur, mainly due to the forced positions which the difficulty demands.
These falls are saved by some fundamental people who help us - and whom we help - to fall safely: spotters.
They stand underneath us, and control our fall. Their mission is not to catch us, but to prevent us from falling out of the mat due to the inertia of the fall.
Yes, mat or crash pad. Perhaps of all the equipment that exists for bouldering, the most important is the crash pad. We would say the spotters, but it's not material, it's a partner. Just as the climbing partner is the most important thing in climbing and mountaineering.
The essential equipment for bouldering, if we compare it with climbing, is characterised by what is not necessary. Here we don't need harnesses, ropes, belay devices, quickdraws, friends, or nuts...
All of these items, which slows down our fall, are superfluous in a type of climbing that is characterised by the fact that we fall to the ground. That's why the most important thing is cushioning, by means of crash pads and buddies, and learning how to fall.
Some have more cushioning, some less; the former absorb higher falls, but weigh more; the latter are a good compromise if we are not going to get too high. The quality is noticeable: the best ones will hold their cushioning over time, without softening.
There is a problem: the boulders are scattered in the mountains or in nature. And one way or another, the mats have to be transported to the location. That's why the mats are foldable and have shoulder straps that allow you to carry them on your back like a backpack.
Crash Pad Camp Minidó, with shoulder straps
Of course, the bigger the mat, the safer it is, and the harder it is to fall off the mat. But we have to find the right balance between our body size and the weight and volume of the mat when it is transported. And you also have to be aware that the bigger it is, the more expensive it will be.
Here we have an advantage: if we go along with the spotters, who also climb and spot, each person will carry their own crash pad, and we can make a mosaic of mats to cover the amount of ground needed to cover a possible fall. In this case we can carry a smaller mat.
However, if you are climbing alone, or with hardly anyone else spotting, you will need to choose a large mat that covers the necessary space without supplementing it with other mats.
A carrying cover is recommended. This will increase the lifetime of the crash pad.
One thing: since bouldering climbing shoes will be the most technical, which are usually the most uncomfortable, and since we will have to put them on and take them off every time we want to make an attempt, it is recommended to choose velcro closures or slippers. This is much more comfortable than lace-up shoes.
It's not just a matter of brushing them off to make our climbing easier. You have to think of others: not only will they find the problem ready to climb, but the absence of marks will allow them to try it without clues.
And something very important: chalk stains are an environmental intrusion. It is necessary to leave the mountain as we found it... and not to abuse chalk.
Interestingly, cotton works very well here. You'll even find stretch jeans that are specially designed to allow for all movements and, of course, cotton T-shirts and sweatshirts. Which, by the way, double as lifestyle garments.
Ternua Approach Pant
But unlike climbing, as there are only a few moves, you don't normally need to carry a chalk bag around your waist, because you won't need to replenish it during the climb.
Therefore, bouldering chalk bags are usually quite large and flat-bottomed, because they are often left on the ground at the foot of the problem.
Mammut Boulder Cube
As they are large, they are very comfortable, because, like gymnasts, we can insert both hands at the same time.
Thanks to their size, they often have pockets to carry brushes, etc.
Nothing more than the above is necessary. However, it is advisable to take care of our hands, both with tapes and with healing creams.
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