Bouldering and Wall Climbing

[PrettyGirlJean]

Hi all,

I'm so psyched and excited after my first time bouldering today that I hope you don't mind my sharing! I hadn't realized just how physically, but mentally taxing it could be! It honestly doesn't look very hard, but wow... My husband and his friends are really into it right now and I wasn't sure if I would have quite the same reaction. I was pleasantly surprised though! I couldn't make it to the top of the beginners wall unfortunately... mainly because my arms just kept giving out, but due to my semi-fear of heights, and just miscalculating my footing and whatnot.

Does anyone else here go bouldering or do wall climbing as well? I'm such a newb at it that I would welcome any and all tips and suggestions for someone like me starting out.

Thanks and take care everyone!

[Sonic#]

Heh, I've done it before, but never as a regular thing. So you can take any advice I have to offer with a grain of salt. I've always done it either in indoor climbing places or on portable outdoor walls...

This is pretty standard, but always try to maintain three points of contact with the wall. Two arms and a leg, two legs and an arm, whatever. Though it's tempting sometimes to flail for a place. And always try to look ahead upward while you're climbing, looking for footholds. Otherwise you're likely to get stuck in a place where you can't reach the next foothold.

And if the place has a cave place, have fun in that. Try climbing upside down, or going from one end of the wall to the other, imagining you're thirty feet up instead of two. It's very taxing, but tons of fun, and allows for what I think is far more creative climbing. It will also make your grip stronger.

[GhaleonOne]

I've tried rock climbing up the sides of mountains in Colorado before, but I'm afraid of heights, so it's not my favorite thing. It is fun though, and yeah, it can be a heck of a work-out. Most people are surprised at how many different muscles it works out.

[phyco126]

Lack of oxygen in the mountains can play a role too. Up in the mountains I was called crazy because I was hopping from rock to rock. One slip while hopping really fast (less than 2 seconds on each rock, typically with just one foot) would result in a very painful trip down the side. XD My legs where sore for three days from doing that 4 times up and down the small mountain piece.

Granted, it wasn't 100% vertical, as I am afriad of hieghts. Still a few areas could have left me falling down the slope and off a cliff. I also sat on the edge of the cliff with my legs dangling. It was fun.

Glad you enjoyed that!