Bouldering is a style of rock climbing but without the use of ropes. It is normally limited to very short, low level climbs so a fall won’t cause a serious injury or death. It is normally practised on large natural or man-made boulders. It can also be practised at the base of large rock faces or even on buildings.

This is for the experienced rock climber as a way to increase their technical and route finding skills. This requires strength and fitness. The bouldering routes are also called bouldering problems.

This type of climbing is only performed up to 5 metres high with crash mats and people spotting at the bottom due to the fact that no saftey ropes are involved. If you are outdoors bouldering portable crash mats are used.

There is a grading system that is used to give you an idea on what you are letting yourself in for. The most two popular grading system are the Fontainebleau system which is graded 1(easy) to 8c+(hard) and the John Sherman V grading system. This starts at V0 for the easiest and just keeps going. The hardest at the moment is V16.

Some of he best places for outdoor bouldering in the world are Yosemite National Park in California, Chironico in Switzerland which is said to have more than 1300 bouldering problems to choose from and Fontainebleau in France which is said to be the Mecca of bouldering.

Where to go, Cost and Equipment

Where

Your local rock climbing centre should have a bouldering room. Check out this link for the UK climbing centre directory. This will have every climbing wall and bouldering room in the country.

www.thebmc.co.uk/Feature.aspx?id=2234

Cost and Equipment

Course  -  Around £25 but only after you have joined a rock climbing centre and have done the climbing course. This costs around £45.

Chalk Bag  -  Around £10

Chalk ball - around £2

Shoes  -  from £50

Crash Mat - £90 and up