Bouldering facts for kids
Bouldering is a type of rock climbing. It is climbing without rope and harness. It is climbing heights at which the climber does not usually suffer serious injuries in case of a drop. To protect from injuries there are usually special bouldering mats underneath the climber. It is usually practiced on large natural boulders and in climbing gyms.
Bouldering basics
Boulder routes are called "problems", because this style is like solving climbing-problems. The height of boulder problems is rarely higher than 3-5 meters. Otherwise the risk of injuries is too high. Often other climbers, who stand on the ground, spot the climbers to protect them from hitting the ground with the head or the spine.
Equipment
The equipment used by boulderers is not much. They use special climbing shoes, a bouldering mat, some brushes to clean the grips and sports tape.
History
Bouldering was invented in the late 19th century. It has been first documented in France, England and Switzerland. It has been practiced for a long time but in the 1930s and 1940s it was practiced for its own sake in Fontainebleau in France.
Today many rock climbers are specialized boulderers and it is their favourite style of climbing.
Images for kids
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An indoor bouldering gym
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A competitor at a Boulder World Cup in 2012
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Gill on the Scab in the Needles of the Black Hills 1963
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Christian Core on Gioia (Varazze, ITA), first 8C+ (V16) boulder in history, 2008
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Michael Rael Armas on Midnight Lightning, Camp 4 (Yosemite National Park, USA), one of the world's most famous bouldering problems
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A modern climbing shoe manufactured by Quechua
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Climber with crash pad and spotters for safety
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See also
In Spanish: Búlder para niños
