Bouldering and climbing
Bouldering is a kind of free climbing; there are no ropes involved. As you can imagine, practising this discipline outdoors can be very dangerous, but bouldering usually means staying within a couple of metres of the ground. Indoor climbing centres tend to have specially built bouldering rooms, which are equipped with special matting to break your fall.
At first, bouldering was considered a climbing warm-up as it allows climbers to practie certain technical moves before moving onto the climbs. Today, it is a sport in its own right, and the first experience that many people have of climbing.
Indoor bouldering consists of low walls fitted with various holds. Your job is to traverse the wall without aid, or tackle a certain obstacle such as an overhang. It is a test of strength and agility. There are few people capable of not falling, but the low altitude and crash mats mean you can get up and start again!
Indoor and outdoor bouldering
Bouldering outdoors can be reasonably safe if the boulders are small. Normally, the climber is spotted by another climber who places a cushioned mat where the climber is likely to fall.
There are annual bouldering competitions; the premier U.K. event is the British Bouldering Championships (BBC) hosted by the British Mountaineering Council (BMC), which is followed by the IFSC Bouldering World Cup.
Bouldering is a technical activity that centres on individual movements. In contrast, climbing is an endurance sport. Similar to bouldering, climbing can be enjoyed indoors and outdoors depending on the facilities available near you.
Rock Climbing
Indoor rock climbing is a safe sport as you will be controlled and supervised by a professional instructor. There are plenty of ropes involved, as well as a safety harness! The specially built climbing walls can reach dizzying heights, but thanks to the belay system there are no risks involved. The belayer controls the tension of the rope, giving or taking as the climber ascends. It is a great sport with many physical and mental benefits.
Rock climbing is the ultimate climbing experience. The various outdoor climbing hotspots located throughout the UK are situated in stunning locations, including National Parks like the Lake Distirct and Dartmoor. The views make for an even more exhilarating experience! Furthermore, belaying and other roping systems can be applied outdoors, making rock climbing equally safe.
The BMC also host the British Lead Climbing Championships (BLCC) annually.
If you would like more information regarding bouldering or climbing, we suggest that you make contact with a climbing centre on yumping.co.uk. Many centres offer taster days, enabling you to find out more without committing yourself to a particular course first.
