Know Your Limits
brown rock formation surrounded by green grassPhoto by Zoltan Tasi on UnsplashThis one is pretty straightforward. If you're a V5 climber, don't try a 20 foot tall V10. If you're on your own with only a single shoulder crashpad, don't get to a height where you're gonna miss. And if you're with a crew, you have multiple spotters and crashpads, then listen to your body. Not finishing the climb is better than a broken leg or back.
Make Sure Your Spotters Know Their Jobs
group of people in white long sleeve shirt and green pants standing on rocky groundPhoto by Mark McGregor on UnsplashHaving a group of friends (preferably climbers) that understand the value and what's involved with being a good spotter is the most important thing when it comes to safety. If you bail, they are your lifeline.
Take Home Lessons
Do This:
- Trust your body
- Have good spotters
- Know your limits
- Plan ahead
Don't Do This
- Climb alone, especially above your level
- Use spotters you don't trust
- Lose focus
- Overdo it
Some Amazing Bouldering
We (Samuel,Tobias and myself) spent 2 weeks in the magical forest of Fontainebleau bouldering awesome Boulders and having the best time! These two weeks it w...My Take
Bouldering was never my favorite style of climbing, but it was definitely something that I loved to do. I remember my favorite bouldering trip at Horse Pens 40 in Alabama with my friend Scott. It was some of the most beautiful rock that I'd ever been on, and was the site of my hardest send ever, if memory serves it was a V7. Scott had to literally pull me off of the rocks because my hands were just raw bloody stumps at the end of the day but I just couldn't quit.
My biggest qualm with bouldering is highballs. I don't really think that highball climbing is bouldering. To me it's free soloing. But of course, to each his own. I give mad respect to climbers that can shake off the nerves and send a super big boulder, but to me the risk is nowhere near the reward.
Stay safe my friends!
