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Introduction | |
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| | Andrew Earl
introduces the noble art of bouldering, arguably the purest form of climbing.
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| Andrew
Earl is one of the best up and coming young boulderers frequently winning competitions at national level.
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| | | | | | | Definitions of bouldering
Mark Baker defined bouldering as 'Climbing
on relatively short sections of cliffs, boulders and walls usually less than 4
metres in height, without the use of safety equipment such as climbing harnesses,
ropes and helmets, etc.'
John Sherman described it as 'The most
sensual discipline of climbing, which involves explosive and powerful movement
requiring strength and power but also the ability to have the body in tune with
the rock.'
Bouldering normally takes place on overhanging rocks,
boulders, and sections of cliff or on specifically manufactured panels known as
'boards', where the emphasis is on the 'move'.
Reasons to go bouldering
- Highly social activity allowing groups of climbers to enjoy each
other's highs and lows.
- Unlike other climbing disciplines, bouldering promotes
interaction between climbers of all abilities, as there is often many types of
climbing in the same area.
- Bouldering incorporates all aspects of climbing,
both the physical and the mental.
- Some see bouldering as the purest form of
climbing - without the restriction (or aid) of a rope or any other equipment.
- You can just go out either alone or in a large group.
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