Beat Back the Fall Doldrums with Bouldering
Hank Shell
Beat Back the Fall Doldrums with Bouldering
Fall in the Rocky Mountains can signal a bit of a lull for many outdoor enthusiasts. Aside from the radiance of turning Aspens, infrequent but fleeting snows and chilly temperatures leave us in a bit of limbo – not enough snow to ski, and not enough sun to swim. In fact, it seems there’s not much more to do than hiking and leaf gazing.
Except, that is, for a growing subset of rock climbers who’ve found that, after trading their ropes for gigantic pads, “mud season” in the mountains offers a new world of outdoor opportunities.
Bouldering
The term “bouldering” may sound a little inarticulate. However, its legitimacy as a sport is ubiquitous among climbers and other outdoor denizens. Conceptually, bouldering equates to climbing short sections of rock that the climber can protect with a few thick pads, often called “crash pads,” and a spotter at the bottom. Bouldering routes are known as “problems.” They tend to involve a handful of movements condensed into a short, but often difficult, sequence of climbing.
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The Ilium Boulders
It’s an integral part of any serious climber’s training program. So a friend and I dutifully left our home in Placerville, Colo., one sunny Sunday afternoon in late September to explore a boulder field just a few minutes from our house.
The Ilium Boulders sit below a hillside bluff near the small encampment of Ilium, Colo., just a fifteen-minute drive from the booming resort town of Telluride. Two Forest Service signs mark the trailheads leading into the boulders. From the highway, after a short jaunt through a meadow into a brilliant burn of Autumn Aspen, my partner and I stumbled upon our quarry – a small collection of beautiful sandstone boulders replete with problems of every variety and difficulty.
Hands sweating with giddy anticipation, we quickly unshouldered our crash pads, slipped on our shoes, and started climbing.
Low Overhead
Bouldering is appealing for a lot of reasons. First, the financial entry barrier is comparatively low. You can forego the rope, harness, carabiners and other technical, costly items required for traditional and sport climbing. All you need is a crash pad, some climbing shoes, chalk and, preferably, a climbing buddy.
Bouldering’s simplicity also lowers the motivational barrier to getting out and active. There’s little to no preparation involved. Just throw your shoes and chalk in your pad, call a friend and head for the wilderness.
For my friend and me, it took all of five minutes to leave the car, reach the boulders and start climbing.
Jump-Start Your Climbing
Rock climbing can seem like an intimidating sport to the uninitiated. This is because not only of the gear and technical knowledge it demands, but also because of the physical requirements. Climbing demands flexibility and upper body strength melded with good technique. When combined with a good strength-training program and stretching or yoga, bouldering can help you focus on developing “muscle memory” with challenging yet accessible sequences of movement.
As many experienced climbers will tell you, bouldering is an invaluable part of their training routine, bolstering technique and strength.
Get Some Variety In Your Life
At the Ilium Boulders, as at every boulder field I’ve ever visited, problems run the gamut of difficulty, from beginner to expert. The variety of styles and modes of climbing is just as diverse. It’s the nature of gigantic chunks of rock to exhibit a spectrum of features. From perfectly parallel cracks to powerful, overhung faces and thin, delicate slabs, outdoor bouldering will expose the climber to just about every kind of climbing.
This is advantageous to any climber, though novices will find it especially beneficial. Exposure, not to mention easy access, to many climbing styles will accelerate the development of good climbing technique.
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Get Out and Go!
While Colorado is renowned for its world-class climbing, you don’t have to live in the Rocky Mountains to have access to good outdoor bouldering. Just about every state has a good spot to get started on some real rock. Even New York City’s Central Park has a popular bouldering spot. If you do live in somewhat of a climbing desert, look for a local climbing gym. Most gyms will either have a dedicated bouldering section or a line marking the permitted height for climbing without protection. Either way, there’s bound to be a nearby opportunity for you to try this amazing sport. So what are you waiting for?
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