How to Boulder

Bouldering is a great way to train for rock climbing, but it's also fun to just get your feet off the ground. Find a rock, lace up your shoes and climb away.

Things You'll Need

  • Friends
  • Climbing Gear
  • Climbing Helmets
  • Climbing Ropes
  • Climbing Shoes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Convince a friend to be your bouldering partner for the day. A good partner can spot you as you climb, lessening the chance of injury if you fall off the rock.

    • 2

      Locate a rock (on public property) large enough for climbing. Freestanding boulders are suitable, as are rock outcropppings.

    • 3

      Make safety your top priority. Make sure that the rock is solid (not crumbly) and stable and check out the immediate surroundings for any potentially dangerous situations.

    • 4

      Scope out the landing area. Note any potential ankle twisters like loose rocks and roots.

    • 5

      Begin climbing. Stay low enough to avoid an injury from a fall.

    • 6

      Use your hands and feet for balance and to cling to features on the rock.

    • 7

      Try climbing straight up and traversing right or left. Be careful not to climb too high.

    • 8

      Save difficult moves for later. Get a feel for what it takes to move over the rock and gain experience.

    • 9

      Challenge yourself once you get the hang of it. Be creative and invent problems - paths over the rock that force you to think and require increased amounts of physical effort.