| "Bouldering" (slang for boulder climbing), is a timeless | | | | These break the fall of the climber, and ensure a |
| sport, often associated with mountain climbing | | | | safer landing. Boulder climbers are now carrying |
| (without the rope or the mountain). It is an extreme | | | | collapsible mats along with them, when recreationally |
| sport which has been around since the 1880's, | | | | bouldering. |
| pioneered in Great Britain by bouldering fanatics. The | | | | This sport also sometimes has a spotter along side. |
| concept originated because people would climb | | | | Spotters help direct climbers from danger, and are |
| boulders to warm up or train for future mountain | | | | around to help with first aid. |
| climbs. John Gill (an American boulder climber pioneer) | | | | Another precaution that is sometimes used, |
| made advances to the sport, which have in turn | | | | controversially, is a rope to navigate the boulder. Fans |
| brought it into the mainstream. Boulder climbing | | | | of the sport, however, feel it distracts and takes |
| focuses on the performance of the athlete on the | | | | away from the object of the activity. |
| boulder, which they are climbing, rather than on the | | | | The judging systems have changed to accommodate |
| headway that they can make, equipment they have, | | | | bouldering, as it becomes more competitive. Difficulty |
| or safety gear as is often done in mountain climbing. | | | | levels were assigned to boulders accordingly the "B" |
| Boulder climbers do take basic safety measures, as | | | | system. A B1 problem boulder was not considered |
| they end up about six feet above the ground. For | | | | easy, but not hard. A B2 problem boulder is one, |
| instance, they often use chalk so that the climber's | | | | which is harder to navigate and conquer than a B1. A |
| hands are dry, giving them a good grip on the | | | | B3 problem boulder indicates a boulder so hard to |
| boulder, and preventing slipping from occurring. A | | | | climb; it has only been successfully done once. |
| chalk pouch is kept with boulder climbing, which | | | | The "B" system only worked for a small while, until it |
| ensures dry hands to reduce slippage potential. | | | | became too diverse to fit into three categories. "B" |
| Another safety measure is using an applicable shoe. | | | | scale was soon replaced by the "V" grade system, |
| There is no requirement or regulation for shoe type, | | | | compliments of John Sherman. From V0 to V16, the |
| but many climbers tend to choose shoes specifically | | | | sport now uses an open ended scale. The term VB is |
| made for climbing. These shoes secure safe footing, | | | | used if the boulder does not even reach a V0 rating. |
| and protect their feet from potential rock cuts, | | | | Plus and minuses are sometimes added to the V |
| twists, and splinters. | | | | ratings. |
| Crash pads are also used as a safety precaution. | | | | |