Has the fad of bouldering left us?

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 201 - 220 of total 307 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
this just in

climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
Jan 16, 2016 - 11:44am PT
John, please join the favorite bouldering thread. Would love to hear some of your favorites or some great stories. You are a god to us pebble wrastlers.
Bad Climber

Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
Jan 16, 2016 - 01:10pm PT
I did my share when I was younger and loved it. Most weeks it was the only climbing I got to do. Fortunately, I didn't do a lot of jumping off. This was in the days before pads, too, so coming off up high had especially dire consequences. I usually kept to climbs that I could handle, only tackling hard things that were very close to the ground or on top rope. The routine big leaps kidz are takin' these days? Ugh! I do know a couple of old climbers who suffered a lot from bouldering falls--feet and ankles. I have always been too chicken and too low talent to play the true highball game. These days, hiking towards mid 50's, I have no interest in the back/knee/ankle problems that can come from jumping/fall off big boulders. Just not worth it.

Climb on!

BAd
BASE104

Social climber
An Oil Field
Jan 19, 2016 - 01:46pm PT
Bouldering is probably going to be as big as roped climbing. As more gear afraid gym climbers ventured to real rock, bouldering has attracted many of them. I guess exposure and gear scare a few.

As for its safety, the only time I have been seriously hurt was when bouldering. Broke my right foot twice.

Bouldering is righteous climbing. Always has been and always will be.
bvb

Social climber
flagstaff arizona
Jan 19, 2016 - 01:51pm PT
This thread needs a photo

jogill

climber
Colorado
Jan 20, 2016 - 03:29pm PT
As for its safety, the only time I have been seriously hurt was when bouldering

Me too, Mark. Pat Ament also. Probably others.

Not for sissies . . .
rgold

Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
Jan 20, 2016 - 03:52pm PT
Me too---ACL rupture from jump onto a pad.
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
May 8, 2016 - 09:41pm PT
[Click to View YouTube Video]
Wade Icey

Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
May 9, 2016 - 07:22am PT
Some athletes just keep going and going, but I think many more discover that they have sold short aspects of their future health, and when the option calls come in, it turns out that there is a significant price to be paid for the accomplishments of youth.

EdBannister

Mountain climber
13,000 feet
Jan 9, 2017 - 10:29pm PT


ok it is fun, go do it, just keep calling it bouldering,... not climbing.


I printed a few different shirts for Art of Climbing and was careful not to offend the bouldering crowd that were the bulk of my customers... the shirt i always wanted to print, but never did was:

if it is not three pitches high

it is not worth doing


yes i know, thousands of fantastic shorter routes...

but

no rhythm of swapping leads,

little attention to conserving strength or water,

no awareness of weather,

no lunch together on a ledge,

no swallows jetting by

late in the day no sense of the air pausing to slide back down the canyon from whence it came,

and missing in bouldering, or short climbs is the sense of commitment that comes after the third pitch or so..

no sense of trust and perfect balance of individual effort to climb, but teamwork and interdependence to complete the climb safely.

The friendship and the sense of cooperation to succeed are much different with 9 pitches, than with 9 moves at the gym with a roof and lights. anybody with a grin and a grigri will do,? or a carefully selected and trusted friend... hmmmm.

pace?

knowing what it means when the pressure drops...

knowing the signs of the pressure dropping?

choosing a route for the day based on the temperature not which color the holds are?

OMG route finding!

in short, pun intended, climbing is not just gymnastics with rock, it is still climbing when it is 40 feet high, but the brainpower, and the experience with others, can be so much more, on long routes.


drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jan 9, 2017 - 10:39pm PT
Ok, we get it.
You suck at bouldering.
:-)
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 9, 2017 - 10:54pm PT
Lol, what do we remember more?

Some amazing bouldering sessions stick in my mind, but so do many multi pitch routes.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jan 9, 2017 - 11:23pm PT
I'm not going to pick apart the Bannister Manifesto...much of it's valid, all of it opinion.
I'll say this.
Most of my best friends almost only boulder.
These are people who've been climbing for up to 35 years.
People that have climbed El Cap 40 times, done first ascents in Pakistan, climbed 5.12 in every state they've visited and abroad, machined your cams and sewed your aiders.
All those things you mentioned about roped mutipitch climbing, yeah, we feel ya. It's bitchin.
But there's a reason we mostly boulder now.
Speaking only for myself and not the whole DRL Nation™, after climbing in just about all disciplines for closer to 30 years, I find that the actual climbing is the icing on the cake. Connecting and hanging with interesting people in beautiful places, exploring, being close to my dog, making photos, always having a comfy Nap Station on hand- these are the things I value.
Heights, views, self reliance, sending temps, teamwork, route finding- all the sh¡t you mentioned about (roped)climbing, they're all there with bouldering, just without the rope and trinkets.

Bouldering used to be an essential part of calling yourself an all around climber. Now people say "I don't boulder!" and that bouldering' snot climbing.
Oh well, suit yourself.
:-)

hamie

Social climber
Thekoots
Jan 10, 2017 - 01:06am PT
Sorry, but bouldering was never "an essential part of calling yourself an all around climber".

And never will be.

It's just bouldering.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jan 10, 2017 - 01:16am PT
That's right, it's just something you did if you were a climber. But obviously now, it's a whole lot more.
But sorry, you'll have to take that up with Royal Robbins, Ron Kauk, and Tommy Caldwell- who, when acclaimed as the best "all-around" climber in the world, includes his bouldering grades in his resume.
Scole

Trad climber
Zapopan
Jan 10, 2017 - 11:52am PT
Its all about being there in the moment. To me it does not matter if the climb is 2000m or 2m. Its nice to be outside with good companions regardless of size of the objective.

The real problem is spray. Do what you do for you only. Fame, or obscurity, will come regardless
patrick compton

Trad climber
van
Jan 10, 2017 - 12:01pm PT
Ondra did the Dawn Wall on his rest days from bouldering V16
jgill

Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
Jan 10, 2017 - 02:56pm PT


and missing in bouldering, or short climbs is the sense of commitment ...

Surely you jest. I can't imagine doing this.
mooch

Trad climber
Tribal Base Camp (Kernville Annex)
Jan 10, 2017 - 03:03pm PT
EC, I'm with you on the 'Whatever'. Same has occurred at The Ridge. Tons of big formations, monster walls, domes, mega adventures all around......yet, the Mattress Mutts show up for a sesh, nary a rack amongst them. Limit yourself......dare you find yourself on desperate runout slab, Kiddos.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Jan 11, 2017 - 08:08am PT
Hey Mooch-
I went to "The Ridge". That place was awesome.
When I return I'm only bringing pads! Tons of exploring to do in the woods below those domes.
The bouldering was fantastic- the real meat of Shuteye climbing...
without all the "junk miles" lol!
I love climbing with a rope- but don't limit yourself- there's magic on the small stones!

"Mattress Mutts" lol!




hamie

Social climber
Thekoots
Jan 11, 2017 - 08:57am PT
Messages 201 - 220 of total 307 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta