Questions tagged [bouldering]
Bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope and normally limited to very short climbs over a crash pad (called a bouldering mat) so that a fall will not result in serious injuries.
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questions
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2answers
142 views
How to progress to harder graded problems? [duplicate]
I've only just started bouldering, and we have been using the easiest to grades VB-V1. I find V1 are moderately challenging but the next step up, V2, I just entirely struggle with. What can I do to ...
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votes
2answers
954 views
What to look for in climbing shoes?
Having just completed my Boulding induction at a local rock climbing gym, what requirements should I look for in a pair of my own climbing shoes? Assume here cost is not a primary factor.
48
votes
9answers
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Why is it bad to use your whole foot in rock climbing
I was reading:
“The larger the foot-holds, the more beginners tend to put as much of their shoes onto them. Instead, also when the foot-hold offers more space, we must still use only the forefoot ...
7
votes
2answers
435 views
How to heal a flapper quickly
I've noticed when climbing and bouldering I have a tendency to get occasional flappers on my palm. A flapper being a callus or blister that has peeled back and hangs on like a flap of skin. I trim the ...
2
votes
1answer
223 views
What does 'right-to-left' mean when describing bouldering problems?
I'm relatively new to the world of rock climbing, having been bouldering at a gym for a few months. I'm planning on checking out a natural bouldering area (that is, one made of real naturally ...
3
votes
1answer
218 views
Climbing outdoors makes the skin of my palm red and sensitive
I mostly climb at a rock climbing gym, and I can climb for hours until my forearms run out of gas.
However, when I climb outdoors, usually the reason I have to stop is because the skin of my palms ...
6
votes
2answers
997 views
How to tape torn skin to continue climbing?
I have got this annoying issue when bouldering: a sheared callus on the small finger:
I would like to tape this and continue climbing (with extra caution). I am not an expert in taping, and any tape ...
8
votes
1answer
3k views
What is the minimum grade of the routes set in the IFSC world cups?
I was recently watching the IFSC world cup held in Meiringen. One of the interesting observations that came across (made by the commentators) in the semis was that the routes were much easier for a ...
10
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3answers
903 views
Origin of the “bell curve” for rock climbing route setting
When learning how to set climbing routes on artificial walls, setters are often told to set route difficulties according to a "bell curve". An example of this is mentioned on this page.
What is ...
9
votes
1answer
294 views
How do I know if I've made a “first ascent”?
Last night I was walking the dog near area where I climb a lot. Above the quarry where most of the climbing happens there is a really nice natural short crag. Looking at this crag I thought there were ...
10
votes
2answers
646 views
How to land when jumping off a bouldering problem to minimize injury potential?
A recent question made me wonder: A while ago, there was a nice route in the local bouldering gym with a rather high crux. The repeated jumping-off lead to minor knee pain for a few days. Now, there ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
Are there any concrete techniques for down climbing?
I mostly boulder and I don't like to jump down from the top of the route, because my ankles/knees/back feels weird when landing. However, when I climb down sometimes my arms feel even more tired than ...
2
votes
1answer
184 views
Are there ways to make the skin on my fingers last longer while climbing/bouldering? [duplicate]
My main problem when bouldering and sometimes while climbing is, that after some time the skin/flesh of my middle and lower phalanges start to hurt and the skin comes off so further climbing becomes ...
6
votes
2answers
856 views
Are my climbing shoes worth repairing?
I'm fairly new to climbing, I've been climbing just over a year.
This is my first pair of shoes. I've worn the soles down, and wondering whether this kind of wear can be repaired or not, or if I ...
6
votes
3answers
208 views
What kind of technique is required for bouldering outdoors?
I've been bouldering in rock climbing gyms for a while and am able to send V2~V3s. I've never bouldered outdoors before and I wonder what are the differences, and are there any outdoor specific ...
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3answers
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How to progress in rock climbing after grades v4 / 5.11+?
I am wondering what is the best way to progress from being a consistent V4 and on-sight/redpoint 5.11 climber? I seem to have hit a plateau in my progression and it is super frustrating.
Indoors, I ...
2
votes
1answer
259 views
With what specific techniques are various bouldering grades associated? [duplicate]
Some I've noticed:
V0 – hanging by one's arms; shifting weight for balance; pushing with one's legs
V1 – pinching, edging
V2 – laybacking, pockets, backstepping, flagging
V3 – 'more strength'?
'More ...
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vote
0answers
185 views
How long does it generally take to stop feeling climber's elbow? [closed]
I've been climbing 1-2 times / week (usually once) for about a month. After each time I climb, I feel joint pain in my elbows. From my understanding, this is likely Tennis Elbow.
Slowly but surely, ...
9
votes
4answers
336 views
How high is too high for a spotter while spotting a climber?
What height should a climber consider safe on a boulder such that in case of a fall her/his spotter can guide her/him fall to safely land on feet?
Here, safety is for both of them, and not just the ...
10
votes
1answer
516 views
Correct breathing while bouldering
I seem to often catch myself holding my breath during a difficult crux, which seems quite bad really.
On the other hand, sometimes I actively breathe fast and deep repeatedly before starting a ...
29
votes
9answers
15k views
Techniques for handling pumped arms?
I love rock climbing and I try to go to my local gym and boulder as often as possible (usually 2-3 times a week). But it's really hard for me to climb for any extended period of time because my arms ...
10
votes
5answers
973 views
What are ways to reduce swinging momentum when climbing?
I'm working on a problem in bouldering where the swinging of my feet take the grip away from my fingers and throw me off.
Specifically, I am in a bat-hang, and need to reach an edge hold about 3.5 ft....
7
votes
2answers
537 views
Are there artificial climbing holds that feel like granite?
I have experience in climbing limestone and sandstone. These rocks feel rough - you get much traction (especially with sandstone) and can use it to your advantage when climbing.
I think the feeling ...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
How to learn route setting?
I started setting routes in the small bouldering gym of our climbing club. I'm basically learning by doing this, so my approach is basically to try to think of some interesting moves, put up the holds ...
8
votes
1answer
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How much does an overhang add to the difficulty of a problem?
I am in the process of building a Moonboard or basically a home climbing wall which is used for bouldering training. However, because I am not a fan of overhangs, I have built it vertically (the ...
11
votes
2answers
296 views
Safety precautions for a spotter for his/her own safety
What are the measures to take to ensure the safety of the person who is spotting a climber?
10
votes
3answers
1k views
Bouldering, improving and getting up grades
I have been climbing (lead-climbing/top-roping/bouldering) for less than a year now but after quickly improving for the first couple of months I have now reached a "plateau" as they say and I don't ...
13
votes
4answers
1k views
How do I prevent myself from getting pumped when climbing?
Usually when I climb I take plenty of rest between attempts however, yesterday I decided that I wanted to test myself and climb 25 problems at my local gym. I chose problems that were below my level ...
9
votes
1answer
325 views
When do you need compensation training for bouldering?
Not only, but mainly while bouldering you are likely to push hard moves and strain your body onesided. As a consequence you can pain your muscles, ribbons or tendons. But...
How do I know if the ache ...
9
votes
4answers
807 views
Bouldering beside the freeway
Hello I have a question that I ask myself every morning when I commute to work. I live New England and I take the I-95 south from New Hampshire to Massachusetts every weekday. During my commute I ...
18
votes
5answers
2k views
How do I get my fingers and toes warm before rock climbing at cold temperatures?
I've had now a couple of days when going rock climbing while the temperatures are below the general comfort zone (meaning below 6 °C/ 43 °F).
When starting to climb, my fingers got cold rather fast ...
22
votes
2answers
3k views
How to “spot” someone who is bouldering?
We have discussed a lot and at length about how to climb and other climbing techniques. I haven't come across a single post that talks about Spotting techniques.
What are the duties of a Spotter? ...
9
votes
1answer
606 views
How do you grade a bouldering problem? [duplicate]
How would someone grade a bouldering problem they've created? What would one have to look out for when grading? When bouldering, does a highball mean a more difficult grading?
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votes
2answers
2k views
How do you get better at static climbing?
Being in control of your body and making controlled movements is a skill I can't seem to get down. Are there any good ways to practice this or any workouts that can contribute to helping me build up ...
18
votes
1answer
19k views
Bouldering vs aid climbing vs free climbing vs free solo climbing
What re the differences between these 4 styles of rock climbing?
Bouldering
Aid Climbing
Free Climbing
Free solo climbing
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votes
6answers
17k views
Climbing barefoot/in toe-shoes?
I recently went bouldering for the first time and liked it a lot. One thing I wondered about are the climbing shoes. The mostly form your feet to a very firm, compact package. So the following ...
12
votes
3answers
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Delayed muscle ache after boulder session
The last weeks I observed couple times that I am getting stiffness/muscle ache in the upper arms after a boulder session. What's special about this is that it is very delayed. For example I went to ...
10
votes
4answers
1k views
Shoe sizes for bouldering
When I first started (indoor) bouldering, I wasn't quite sure if I was ready to commit to it, so I went and bought a pair of shoes in the sale that were relatively cheap (or at least cheaper than ...
10
votes
1answer
3k views
When should you start to train with Campus Boards, Hang Boards and Peg Boards?
From which bouldering and climbing grades do you start using Campus Boards, Hang Boards and Peg Boards for training?
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votes
9answers
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What are the advantages of being short when climbing?
My girlfriend often complains that a route or boulder was created for tall climbers. In my experience that sometimes is true: I easily get a hold, she has to jump. However, Lynn Hill proved that a ...
10
votes
3answers
3k views
How to use legs more effectively to avoid grip stress on overhangs
Overhangs are a weak point in rock climbing for me currently. I think I know the theory: the goal is to use the legs to push yourself up, keep straight arms as much as possible and avoid pulling, and ...
25
votes
4answers
16k views
What are common climbing techniques for strongly overhanging walls and roofs?
What are common climbing techniques for strongly overhanging walls and roofs?
In order to avoid a strength oriented climbing style and focus on technique.
6
votes
2answers
2k views
What are common rock-climbing footwork mistakes and how I can spot them?
(This question is related to How can I improve my footwork while rock-climbing?)
What are common rock-climbing footwork mistakes and how can I spot them?
More specifically: When I started climbing I ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
How to find climbing shoes for toe and heel hooks?
How can I choose the right climbing shoes especially for toe and heel hooking?
More specifically: I have been using very comfortable beginner shoes for the last two years. When I started to advance ...
9
votes
2answers
790 views
Brick Wall Rating [closed]
Hi I am a new boulderer and have climbed many difficult routes, or official ones for that matter. Currently when I am not able to go out the local region, I attempt to send the side of my house. The ...
3
votes
0answers
187 views
Seeking photographs of “climber's hunch” [closed]
I couldn't find any pictures of this online. (There were some simulated hunches, but no pictures of people with bad posture.)
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2answers
1k views
“Used” top rope when bouldering
My friend and I often boulder around my home instead of driving to the local area, and when attempting some more challenging features, such as overhangs and slightly taller cliffs, we would feel ...
3
votes
1answer
178 views
Belly flopping top outs
I've always mocked friends who top-out using their belly (stomach) when bouldering. It's not very graceful but I was reading this article on UKClimbing and it shows someone topping out on a V6 using ...
12
votes
1answer
4k views
How can I practice Climbing without the actual wall and/or equipment?
I had never been a gifted kind of a climber being more fascinated by Backpacking than Rock Climbing. Its been almost 2 years that I did some genuine climbing. And, I am planning to resume it very soon....
6
votes
1answer
205 views
What features to consider when buying a bouldering slipper?
I've been using the same Evolv shoes for bouldering that I bought for top-roping. It seems like they're worn enough to start considering a new pair of shoes. Since I'm doing bouldering almost ...
