General bouldering information
What is bouldering?
Bouldering - climbing without a rope or harness, practised on large boulders or climbing walls at an altitude which permits the climber to jump off. The climber's safety is guaranteed only by a bouldering mat (crash pad).
Bouldering has been a separate discipline of rock climbing since the 1970s and has significantly gained in popularity in recent years. Together with lead and speed climbing, it is one of the three disciplines in climbing competitions.
More information on bouldering...
What is bouldering about?
The aim of bouldering is to accomplish climbing moves which are as difficult as possible, in other words to use holds which you can just about hold on to. Technically complex or acrobatic moves are part of the challenge - the sky's the limit.
A bouldering competition consists of several short routes called "problems". On a climbing wall of 4 m, route setters should arrange problems with a maximum of 12 holds in a way which assures that the climber's lowest body part is never more than 3 m above the crash pad.
The rules strongly depend on the conditions of the wall or indoor gym: Often the routes are marked by colours, and the climber begins with the lowest hold and finishes with the highest one. In some indoor climbing gyms there are no colour-defined routes but only a large number of holds on a wall.
Competitive bouldering...
Recently, bouldering contests have become increasingly popular: Competitions like Blocmaster in Innsbruck (A) or Melloblocco (I) in Val di Mello attract thousands of climbing fans.
Specific competition rules make sure that fun and the sociable aspect of the contests prevail and that everybody gets their share of climbing. After all, bouldering is the essence of free climbing. By avoiding the endurance factor, bouldering problems focus primarily on maximal force, dynamics and climbing technique.
Bouldering in South Tyrol...
In South Tyrol too the popularity of bouldering, both outdoor and in climbing gyms, has increased significantly. In search of still untouched boulders, large bouldering areas have been developed in Lagundo/Algund, Gais and in the Sella group, and climbing gyms are being extended and rebuilt all over the province.
Bouldering at the IMS...
Bressanone/Brixen will be an irresistible meeting place for the international bouldering scene and fans from 4 to 8 November 2009.
Together with a fascinating experts' contest which will see internationally renowned bouldering pros like Kilian Fischhuber and Anna Stöhrr compete, there will be plenty of entertainment and training opportunities for the younger generations and children.
