Get yourselves down here and get climbing.

Harrogate Climbing Centre (HCC) offers both indoor climbing and bouldering, as well indoor and outdoor climbing courses and qualifications. On offer are taster courses for people new to climbing, beginners courses and courses for climbers to develop their skills and even leader courses.

HCC's 14 meter multi-angled climbing wall.

The main indoor climbing wall is a whopping 14 meter multi-angled wall, designed by Entre-Prises. Climbing grades range from 3+ to 8a. There is also a bouldering section which features problems from V0 – V8, as well as a Fr7b stamina circuit.

Climber and owner of the Harrogate Climbing wall, John Dunne, told the BMC:

I wanted to bring Yorkshire’s premier climbing centre to the heart of Yorkshire’s best climbing; so when I found the perfect building just south of Harrogate town centre, I jumped at the chance of turning it into a modern climbing facility.

Only ten minutes’ drive from Almscliffe on a rainy weekend, the focus of Harrogate Climbing Centre is to provide for climbers and boulderers of all levels. We have applied all the lessons we have learnt from our experience at the Manchester centre, and used them to develop a climbing wall you’d have to travel a long way to beat!

Climbing for Everyone!

Everyone is welcome to come and climb. Climbing is available for corporate groups as well as kids, schools and youth groups. Life membership only costs £10 and entitles members to concessions on entry and the option to purchase discount packages. If you do not have your own climbing gear, you can hire it for a small fee.

Under construction. HCC's new climbing wall.

Harrogate Climbing Centre

Hornbeam Park Avenue
Hornbeam Park
Harrogate
HG2 8QT

Tel: 01423 815024
E-mail:
info@harrogateclimbingcentre.com
Website:
harrogateclimbingcentre.com

HCC Opening Times:

Mon-Fri: 10-10pm
Sat:10-8pm
Sun: 10-6pm

If you’re not able to get to Harrogate to go climbing or bouldering, there are plenty of indoor climbing walls in the UK. If you are not sure what equipment is needed for safe climbing, have a look at our advice about climbing gear, which provides information about climbing harnesses, shoes, ropes, belay devices and other protection equipment.

Mountaineering Ethics will help protect the Mountain Environment. Source: Flickr by dino_olivieri.

The UIAA’s bold summary encompasses the thinking behind the declaration:

Stretch Your Limits, Lift Your Spirits, Aim for the Top!

The mountaineering and climbing ethics code encompasses the following twelve points, which I have summarised below:

1. Individual Responsibility – Be responsible for yourself, for others and for the environment.
2. Team Spirit – Support and encourage your climbing team members.
3. Climbing and Mountaineering Community – Treat every person in the mountains with respect.
4. Visiting Foreign Countries – Respect your hosts, show consideration for their culture, their holy mountains and sacred places. Try to bring benefits to local people and their economy.
5. Responsibilities of Mountain Guides and Other Leaders – respect the freedom and rights of other groups and individuals.
6. Emergencies, Dying and Death – Understand the risks and hazards in the mountain environment. Have suitable knowledge, skills and equipment. Be prepared to help others in emergency situations, even if it means sacrificing your own goals.
7. Access and Conservation – Practice mountaineering and climbing with respect for the environment, be proactive in preserving nature. Freedom of access is a fundamental right but respect restrictions agreed with conservation organisations and authorities.
8. Style – Succeeding is not as important as creative problem solving and experience. Strive to leave no trace on the rock face or mountainside.
9. First Ascents – Should be completed in the style appropriate to the region, or better, and should be reported exactly.
10. Sponsorship, Advertising and Public Relations – Relationships between climbers or mountaineers and sponsors should be professional. The mountain sports’ community should educate the media and the public.
11. Use of Supplementary Oxygen in Mountaineering – Medical reasons for using oxygen at high altitude should outweigh other considerations. Ethical reasons for using or not using oxygen should be left up to individual climbers. Oxygen bottles must not be left on the mountain.
12. High Altitude Guided Commercial Expeditions – Commercial Operators should recognise the limitations of their clients in their care. Clients should be warned that their plans may be altered in order to assist others in mountain emergencies.

The declaration has taken a long time and a lot of effort to prepare. It has been endorsed by more than 40 mountaineering federations worldwide. Please try to adhere to its recommendations to help further the good name of climbing and mountaineering, ultimately it will also help to bring you a better experience in the mountains. The full text pdf file can be found on the UIAA website.

The UIAA is an international federation which represents climbers and mountaineers from across the globe. To find out more about the UIAA and what they do, why not read our exclusive interview with Judith Safford, Executive Director of the UIAA.

Rock over climbing announce new bouldering centre to open in Manchester City Centre

ROCK OVER CLIMBING will be situated in the city centre (somewhere within a 3 minute walk from Victoria station) and will open early in 2010. It will be the largest dedicated bouldering centre this side of the Pennines, with over 250 routes set for all abilities. There will be something for everyone including kids, beginners, everyday climbers and the best climbers in the country.

There will also be:

• Competition wall
• Training wall and area
• Café
• Plenty of off-road parking
• Changing facilities
• Bike storage
• Chill out areas and fantastic atmosphere
• And much much more…….

In the meantime if you can’t wait to do some indoor bouldering or climbing have a look here to find your nearest indoor climbing wall.

Blackpool Tower: location of covert tower climb. Source: Geograph. © Copyright Dave Green and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

It’s about our hundredth attempt at possibly one of the hardest ‘buildering‘ challenges in the UK that leads us to the base of the tower. For two years the challenge wasn’t even the tower – it was getting to the base of the tower

writes Userscott on 28dayslater – The UK UE Urbex Urban Exploration Forums website, following his successful covert Blackpool Tower Climb with Stepping Lightly in August 2009.

Tower Climb

Preparations of the Blackpool Tower Climb included climbing to the top of the Blackpool fairground rides ‘Pepsi Max Big One’ and ‘Ice Blast’ as well as City of Manchester Stadium, Old Trafford and the Angel of the North. Climbing to the top of Blackpool Tower took the duo several hours and they did not finish until after midnight. Blackpool Tower is made from cast steel girders with large overhangs at the viewing platforms, making a challenging tower climb. Their post on 28dayslater contains plenty of impressive photos at various stages of the Blackpool Tower climb. To avoid detection the climb to place at night, the view over Blackpool at night with all the lights glowing was worth it – they were lost for words.

A Lancashire Police spokesperson told the Daily Telegraph that they had had no reports about the incident, and that:

Unless there is any evidence of any criminal activity having taken place, we will not be launching an investigation…it would be up to the owners of Blackpool Tower to prosecute the individuals under civil law for trespassing.

Getting caught during the Tower Climb was a worry, as Userscott writes:

It’s a busy night on the front and surely somebodys noticed two trouble makers packing 60m of 8mm rope and bright white Petzl helmets.

However they completed the Tower Climb, right up to the flagpole at top of tower and abseiled back down without anyone reporting them.

Bridge Climbing

Climbing structures has become popular in recent times, as pointed out in our Bridge Climb post in February this year. Unauthorised climbers were caught climbing the Tyne Bridge and Forth Road Bridge.

Tower Climb

At 158m the Blackpool Tower is pretty high, and for some climbers the thought of climbing an iconic structure is irresistible. Obviously we are not suggesting that anyone should go out and illegally climb a tower. But, if you could climb any tower, legally, in complete safety and with appropriate climbing gear, which tower would you climb? Let us know, just write a comment below!

UIAA Promotes Climbing and Mountaineering Internationally. Source: UIAA.

The UIAA has 82 member associations worldwide, representing almost 1.3 million individual climbers and mountaineers. In UK there are two member associations of the UIAA, namely the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) and The Alpine Club (TAC).

What is the UIAA?

What exactly do the UIAA do and how do they help individual mountaineers, climbers and member associations? We asked Judith Safford, Executive Director of the UIAA, for an insight into the UIAA and their work.

International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation Interview

CheapTents.com: How long has the UIAA been established?

Judith Safford: It was founded in 1932 when 20 mountaineering associations met in Chamonix, France for an alpine congress. They wanted to start an international federation which would be in charge of the

study and solution of all problems regarding mountaineering.

One of those problems was the lack of a universal climbing grade system, which was finally resolved with the creation of the UIAA climbing grade 40 years later. Count Charles Egmond d’Arcis from Switzerland became the first president and he gave the new federation the name UIAA – Union Internationale des Association d’Alpinisme.

CheapTents.com: What are the main functions of the UIAA?

Judith Safford: I think this question is best answered in the UIAA Mission Statement, which was approved earlier this year: In order to promote the growth of mountaineering and climbing, the UIAA strives to:

preserve their spirit and traditions, advance safe and ethical mountain practices, promote responsible access, culture and environmental protection [as well as] support youth participation and the Olympic movement.

CheapTents.com: Who are the most famous climbers / mountaineers that are (or have been) involved with the UIAA?

Judith Safford: Famous is rather subjective. I would rather highlight the UIAA honorary members: Walter Bonatti, Robbert Leopold, William Lowell Putnam, Jordi Pons-Sangines, and Pit Schubert. Mr Schubert, from Germany, was made an honorary member last year not only for his climbing exploits but for his pioneering efforts to make mountaineering safer through the introduction of safety standards for equipment.

CheapTents.com: How is the UIAA funded?

Judith Safford: Mainly through membership fees from national federations and licencing fees for the internationally recognised UIAA Safety Label that you see on mountaineering equipment. It gives climbers the assurance that when they buy a piece of equipment, it meets the highest standards.

The UIAA Safety Label logo trademark is registered internationally. It can only be used on climbing and mountaineering equipment which have been certified to meet UIAA safety standards and registered by the UIAA.

CheapTents.com: How does the UIAA promote mountaineering and climbing?

Judith Safford: Mainly through its contacts with national federations, by providing invaluable advice on standards and practices such as safety which I’ve already mentioned, as well as training and medical issues. UIAA commissions also work to assist its members on issues such as access and mountain protection. Of course, the UIAA also promotes the sport through its website and monthly newsletter which informs interested parties, including mountaineering and climbing magazines, of the latest developments.

CheapTents.com: How can the UIAA help people who are new to climbing and mountaineering?

Judith Safford: One of the UIAA’s most active commissions is its Youth body, which, among other tasks, co-organises international events to assist national federations with youth meets.

Dawa Steven Sherpa nominated by the UIAA for the IOC Environmental Award. Source: UIAA.

CheapTents.com: How does the UIAA help indigenous peoples in mountain regions and promote environmental awareness to mountaineers and climbers?

Judith Safford: This task is taken care of by the UIAA Mountain Protection Commission which raises awareness through various activities of the need to take care of the mountain environment, and preserve mountain cultures. The UIAA is pleased to have as the commission’s new president, Linda McMillan who is an executive member of the IUCN-WCPA Mountains Biome network. She brings to the job tremendous experience and commitment.

CheapTents.com: Can climbers and mountaineers become involved in UIAA projects which help protect natural resources in mountain regions?

Judith Safford: The UIAA’s job is to support local institutions, not to carry out projects itself. That said, we are happy to inform people of UIAA-supported projects, and help make connections.

CheapTents.com: What are the biggest challenges that the UIAA currently faces?

Judith Safford: The world of mountaineering and climbing has changed enormously in recent years. In earlier times the UIAA played an important role supporting federations and individuals planning their tours. Today you can even book a tour to the summit of Everest on the internet. The resulting commercialisation of mountaineering and climbing has had positive aspects in making our sport more accessible, but also has raised ethical questions about the way our sport is practised. Global warming and other environmental problems of degradation are also big issues for mountaineering. Mountaineers have been aware of melting glaciers for many years, and the destruction of the mountaineering environment touches us personally because a love of nature is common to almost all mountaineers. The “playing fields” of our sport are in intact environment, so the UIAA must help support ways to protect the mountains. Finally there are increasing concerns in society about the effects of current lifestyles on health and the practice of sports. Many of our federations are experiencing a decrease in membership, and wish to find ways to attract more people to our sport, particularly Youth.

CheapTents.com: What are the most exciting projects that the UIAA has planned for the future?

Judith Safford: Members of the UIAA executive are working on the development of a new code of best practices and ethics. It is currently in the consultation phase. The aim is to have the code approved at the annual General Assembly in Porto, Portugal in October this year.

CheapTents.com:

Thank you Judith for telling us about the organisation, aims and work of the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA). For more information visit the UIAA’s website.

It is worth noting that our every day activities have an effect on the mountain environment. By contributing to global warming through our carbon emissions we are all indirectly responsible for glaciers melting in mountainous regions of the world. Many mountaineers and climbers are involved in campaigns to stop climate change, including Pro Ski-Mountaineer and Climber Alison Gannet. Alison suggests calculating your carbon footprint as a starting point to help you reduce your emissions.

If you enjoyed reading this interview you might be interested in our interviews with Steve Long – Chief Officer for Mountain Leader Training Association and Colonel Ravinder Nath of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) will be publishing a list of current and new climbing restrictions later this month. These are voluntary restrictions put in place to prevent nesting birds and their chicks from being disturbed.

The BMC asks all climbers to read up on the restrictions for the areas in which they climb. Climbers have an excellent record of respecting bird nesting restrictions and continued good will is important to develop and maintain good relations with landowners and conservation bodies.

Tony Ryan, the BMC.

The climbing restrictions usually apply from February / March and continue until June, July or August. Working with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Conservation Bodies, Ornithologists and National Park Authorities, the BMC can ensure that access remains open to cliffs and crags for climbers to enjoy, whilst at the same time protecting nesting birds.

Current information about climbing restrictions can be found on the BMC Regional Access Database. General information and climbing equipment advice is available in the advice section of this website.

Many types of birds nest on cliffs and therefore are at risk from disturbances by climbers. Cliff nesting birds include guillemots, razorbills, puffins, choughs, ravens and peregrine falcons. Information about all these species and more can be found on the RSPB website.

Birdwatching and Bird Conservation

If you like birds, birdwatching and bird conservation you might be interested in the annual Birdfair at Rutland Water. Birdfair is the event of the year if you are into birds and wildlife. It includes stands selling binoculars and equipment for bird watching and wildlife enthusiasts, lectures, quizzes, book launches and auctions.

List of Climbing Walls

You can download a list of climbing walls created by the BMC here.  This directory of climbing walls is a fantastic way to keep you engaged in climbing by challenging yourself on new walls in your region, or anywhere across the UK!

Give climbing a go!

Learning to rock climb is often easier indoors, out of the elements, and teamed up with an instructor.  So if you’ve never tried, make sure you book yourslef in for a few lessons and wear the right climbing equipment!

Many climbers live and breathe the sport so we have provided a great range of resources for you to get your teeth stuck into.  Get help and advice right here at out blog and on our outdoor shop’s website, along with interviews with the professionals.

We realise it’s not easy breaking into the professional world of outdoor sports.  The British Mountaineering Council have been lobbying for many years for more funding and increased status of outdoor sports, so we know it’s not easy.

We can help you increase your profile…

If you’re an amateur outdoor sports person we might be able to give you the leg up that you need to increase your profile and get sponsored by one of the big outdoor brands out there. Being seen to be actively in the public limelight is a major advantage.

We can get up to 50,000 visitors or more through our site each month, so although we do not have the budgets to provide financial sponsorship, we will be more than happy to help you raise your profile by plugging your achievements, your ambitions, and anything else for that matter via the CheapTents.com blog!

Already Sponsored?

If you are already sponsored by an outdoor gear manufacturer, then why not increase your profile some more and blog for us?!  It will help keep them sweet by providing ongoing exposure in a very prominent way and encourages their continued support.  Sounds good doesn’t it?

Mountain Bike Rider Sponsorship?

Cross country mountain biker, downhill mountain biker or road racer?  Get in touch!

Source: Flickr, Marilia Almeida

Trail Running Sponsorship?

You might be an endurance runner, ultramarathon runner or adventure runner.  Get in touch!

Triathalon Sponsorship?

Runner, swimmer and rider?  Maybe your triathlons include alternative sports, such as kayaking?  Get in touch!

Mountaineering Sponsorship?

Expeditions, travel and summitting mountains is not cheap, and sponsorship is not easy to get hold of so increase your exposure by blogging on the CheapTents.com blog!

Source: Flickr, Ikerenders

Climbing Sponsorship?

Free-climber, sports climber, boulderer, alpine, ice, big wall climber?  Get in touch!

Worldwide Travel?

Maybe you want to raise awareness to international news, provide advice, or share traveling tips.  Get in touch!

Get in touch!

If all this sounds perfect for you and you’re more than happy to provide an insight into your sporting life, then by all means get in touch with a mini-bio and some achievements you’ve had to date, at ben[at]cheaptents.com (replace [at] with @).

Daniel Woods’ Background

Image source: danielwoods.us

Born in 1989, Daniel has had a resounding climbing career for someone so young.  Daniel has put his stamp on bouldering from a very young age – entering his first competition when he was just 8 years old!  Since then he has continued to test the capabilities of a climber on some of the toughest climbs around.  He takes great pride in testing his climbing abilities across both bouldering and sport climbing of which he his topping the scale of difficulty ratings in both sports.  (See career highlights at the bottom).

Daniel is a well recognised climber in the field, with prominent climbing successes across the USA and around the world.  Here’s an insight into his life as a professional climber…

Interview with Daniel Woods:

CheapTents.com: What inspired you to get into Climbing?

Daniel: I started climbing at the age of 5 and did it just because it was something to do.  At the time I was too young to develop a passion for the sport and I had not tried any other activities as well.  When I was in middle school, I participated in team activities through my school and quickly found out that they were not for me. I switched my attention back over to climbing and my dedication for the sport grew every year and has led to where I am now.

My inspiration came from knowing that it is not a team sport, but a self sport.  I liked knowing that if I won a competition or completed a goal outside, it was myself who did it and not the team.  Rock climbing just felt natural and right to do.  I love the feeling of different types of rock and formations and the possibilities that they offer.  Also, knowing that what you can do with climbing is endless and there will always be a knew challenge out there is very inspirational.

CheapTents.com: What has been your biggest sporting achievement?

Daniel: So far my biggest achievement is balancing my bouldering and sport climbing.  I started out as a sport climber then switched gears to bouldering.  Bouldering has been my life for the past 7 years with an occasional trip to try a hard sport route.  I feel like I have met all my goals so far for bouldering and now am psyched to see what I can do on a rope.  In the past couple of weeks I have climbed harder on a rope than ever and hope to continue pushing my limits.  I want to be pushing my standards for bouldering and rope climbing simultaneously.

CheapTents.com: What is you biggest weakness?

Daniel: My biggest weakness is my experience level and “head game”.  I have a bunch of power, but lack when it comes to doing a climb on flash or on-sight, or developing the easiest method for completing a climb. In competitions, I can do really well once the pressure kicks in, I let my head get the best of me.

I need to learn how to be a smarter climber and control the pressure.  Strength isn’t everything, experience and confidence go a long way!

CheapTents.com: When did you feel like you ?made it? in your field of outdoor sports? And do you feel like you’ve satisfied your goals?

Daniel: At 13 I was brought onto the map.  I had La Sportiva and Sickle as sponsors, was winning junior competitions and placing podium in junior World Cup events overseas, and I was appearing in magazines. This was the beginning and since then so much has changed.

I would say that at around 17 I made my hobby into a dream. I signed on with The North Face which was the best move I have ever made in climbing. They have made my goals come true and provided me with the best product out there on the market. Also, La Sportiva, Petzl, and Organic stepped in to help me achieve my goals.  Now I am able to travel and develop/repeat hard climbs all over the world.

As for goals, I feel like each year I satisfy my goal then keep setting the next goal higher. I am satisfied with what I have completed and set up, but want to keep on going. That is the best part about climbing… there are no limits!

CheapTents.com: What do you find most challenging about training?

Daniel: The most challenging thing about training is motivation. All I want to do is climb but I recognize that some things cannot be done unless I get stronger or have more experience. I used to do the typical training such as pull ups, push ups, ab workouts, 1 arm hangs and pull ups etc. but it got too boring. Now I feel the best method is to climb as much as possible and travel to new areas with new stone. Your psyche is maintained and you gain more experience.

CheapTents.com: What has been your worst injury (if any), from outdoors sports and how did it happen?

Daniel: So far no injury knock on wood!

CheapTents.com: What will be your most challenging climbs for next year?

Daniel: Next year, my goal is to compete in all 8 of the world cup events in Europe and try to make podium at each one.  As for sport climbing, I have my sights set on many routes in the 14d/15a region such as Realization, Jumbo Love, and Action Directe.  As for Boulders, I want to repeat Fred Nicoles Terremer in Hueco Tanks which is v15 and also James Litz Warpath in Castle Rocks, Idaho which is an unrepeated v14.  Along with repeating climbs, I want to develop my own lines as well for both sport climbing and bouldering.

CheapTents.com: Where would you like to be in 5 years time? Main Ambitions?

Daniel: In the next 5 years I want to be pushing the standards of climbing as well as being a good ambassador for the sport.

CheapTents.com: For other budding outdoor sports enthusiasts, what tips can you provide to help other compete at a higher level?

Daniel: The best tip is to stay confident and maintain your motivation. That is the number one thing that always gets you in taking things to the next level is motivation of the work that is involved. Also it is important to have fun and enjoy your surroundings and company. When you are positive and motivated, then anything can happen.

CheapTents.com: What are your favourite bits of gear, and why?

Daniel: My favorite coat is the [The North Face] Nuptse Jacket at 700 down for those cold days, the motoring pant which is light weight for bouldering, the patrol 35 daypack which is light weight for longer hikes but can hold a good amount of gear if you are just wanting to go climb/hike for the day, and the Orion down sleeping bag.

CheapTents.com: Any people or sponsors that you’d like thank?

Daniel: I would like to thank The North Face, Petzl, La Sportiva, and Organic bouldering mats for making it possible to live the dream.

CheapTents.com: Anything else you would like to say?

Daniel: Have fun with climbing and enjoy the places that it allows you to go.
CheapTents.com: Thanks Daniel, on behalf of our visitors to our site and ourselves for providing such an honest and inspiring insight into climbing at a professional level.  And keep on enjoying and accomplishing your goals!

Watch Daniel Woods in action:

Daniel Woods 1998-2008 Competition Highlights:

Learn about bouldering here.  For more advice and information on climbing equipment, please visit the website.  Alternatively, if you are looking for a range of discounted climbing equipment, from Petzl, Clog, Wild Country, Red Chilli, Black Diamond, Beal and Roca visit the climbing gear shop.

What is bouldering?

Bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope but with crash pads, and normally limited to relatively short climbs so that a fall will not result in serious injury. Bouldering draws on the more technical aspects of climbing, where the difficulty in the climb lends new challenges to the climber that tackles them.

Bouldering is often regarded as a bit of an art form, whereby a climber’s experience goes a long way in topping-out a climb. height has little to do with accomplishments though, but rather the technical skills, agility, strength, balance, finesse and determination.

Freestyle climbing, bouldering, sport climbing, rock climbing…?

A similar climbing style is sport climbing, which draws on the technical and gymnastic needs of the a climber (like in bouldering or free climbing) but uses a climbing rope for basic protection but not for relience. These forms of climbing are quite different to other forms of climbing such as ice climbing, rock climbing, mountain climbing…

Bouldering Terminology

Here’s a break-down of bouldering definitions and terminology used by boulderers around the UK and abroad…

• Beta— insider information about a climb, usually about sequences or holds.
• Bomber — huge handhold, or “bombproof” protection.
• Bomber — Of the highest or finest quality; huge, perfect, the best. This is a highly versatile word that some climbers use to describe just about anything. A ‘bomber handhold’ or ‘bombproof protection’ are examples.
• Bouldering — A branch of rock climbing without the use of safety ropes primarily concerned with the climbing of exceptionally difficult moves on smaller rocks.
• Boulderer — a climber who considers themselves a small rock climber.
• Chalk — a powdery white substance (usually magnesium carbonate) that keeps the hands dry in order to maximise your hands, knees and feet’s grip on the rock face.
• Chalk Bag — a bag which holds chalk.
• Chicken wings — When your elbows start to rise, because you’re running out of strength.
• Climbing shoes — Shoes made with sticky rubber soles fitted a few sizes too small.
• Crank — pulling hard through difficult moves.
• Crash Pad – something to land on after a fall. It is typically made of foam and softens the impact.
• Crater — to fall and hit the ground.
• Crimp — a tiny hold with just enough room for the climber’s fingertips.
• Crux — the most difficult part of a climb.
• Deadpoint — The top of a swing or controlled lunge, when upward motion has stopped but downward fall has not yet begun.
• Deck — hitting or landing on the ground unexpectedly: to ‘hit the deck’, ‘deck it’
• Drop-knee — putting the outside edge of one’s foot on a hold, then “dropping” the knee towards the ground, positioning the climber perpendicular to the rock.
• Dyno — A technical way of lunging or swinging to the next hold (short for dynamic movement).
• Elvis leg (see also sewing machine leg) — to have a leg begin shaking sort of like Elvis Presley on stage, usually a sign of fatigue or fear.
• Flag – extending your leg as a counter balance but without putting into a holding position.
• Flash — Climbing a problem rock face on you first attempt.
• Fontainebleau — Legendary bouldering area in France, pronounced ‘fon-tan-blur’ known for abominable top outs! Also a grading system often used by European climbers, ranging from 1a to 8c+.
• Gardening — removal of loose rocks and plants to clear a path; can be anything from ripping out a tuft of grass to bringing in a chain saw.
• Gill ‘B’ System – a simple grading system used by boulderers: B1, B2, B3 (most difficult), and now also include minus and plus to diferentiate slightly. Interestingly, a B3 would only be regarded as a B3 when there had been only one recorded ascent of the problem, but would be reclassified after it’s second ascent.
• Grade — an accepted standard, and a degree of difficulty. Contemporary bouldering uses the V Grade system
• Gripped — scared.
• Highball — A boulder problem that is really high, and would likely incur injury if the climber was to fall.
• Hold - anything that the climber can use to pull or push from, using any part of his body, to ascend the rock face. These could be cracks, jugs, etc…
• Hueco — Spanish for ‘hollow’, Hueco’s are the round sunken odd shaped holds. The Hueco “V” grades devised by John Sherman and Hueco Tanks State Historic Site is the most widely used grading system in North America.
• Jugs – a large secure hold that the climber can use.
• John Gill — The father of modern bouldering.
• Lock-off — using part of one’s body to hold a position or hold taking weight off the part of the body physics would dictate.
• Mantel — Often used to reach the top of a boulder. A mantel requires the boulderer to push down with their hands to allow a foot to gain the same hold as the hands when no other higher handholds are available.
• Matching — Having both hands or both feet on the same hold.
• Midnight Lightening — Boulder problem in Camp 4 in Yosemite, arguably the most famous boulder problem in the world.
• Mono — A pocket-hold small enough to only allow the use of one digit.
• Newbie — A new climber. Sometimes used negatively but remember, we were all newbies once.
• Onsight — Climbing a problem first go with no beta and no falls.
• Onsight flash — a successful climb with no falls on a route where you have no beta nor have seen anyone climbing.
• Overhang — A face or boulder that is less than 90 degrees.
• Peel — to lose contact with the rock possibly leading to a fall.
• Pocket — a hold that is reasonable big and comfortable.
• Problem — Boulderers climb ‘problems’ not ‘routes’, as this is used in traditional climbing.
• Reachy — describes a route with a lot of long reach moves.
• Redpoint - climbing at maximum ability and effort. Or climbing a person’s most difficult grade.
• Rock rash — general abrasion wounds from bouldering.
• Running Beta — insider information about a climb, usually about sequences that is being yelled up at you some loud-mouth as you’re trying to send.
• Roof — Seriously overhanging part in a climb. The climber is more or less horizontal.
• Sandbag — a move or problem that is much harder than the grade suggests it is.
• screamer — a very long fall.
• Send — A successful ascent.
• Sewing-machine leg (see also: Elvis leg) — A leg under tension that suddenly begins to jerk up and down like a sewing machine.
• Side pull — A hand hold that needs to be held with horizontal (sideways) pressure toward the climber.
• Sit Start — Sitting on the ground to start your climb at the boulders lowest point.  Often the sit start part of a problem can add a level of difficultly to a regular standing start.
• Slab — a chunk of rock that is at an angle of greater than 90 degrees. May look easy but is often hard and if the climber peels, rock rash is highly possible
• Slap — Making a dynamic movement with the hand for an open-grip hold.
• Sloper — A featureless rounded hold that takes enormous stength to hold
• Smear — There is no ideal hold so only a smear is used as a small friction hold, usually a foothold.
• Spotter / Spot — The person who stands beneath the climber to make sure their landing is as controlled as possible. Task include: running beta (if required), moving the crash pad, removing dangerous objects in the fall zone, and physically cushioning or modifying the trajectory of the climber in the event of a fall.
• Tick Mark — small marks applied to key holds (usually foot holds) on a problem. Purists frown on tick marks. If used, it is proper practice to wipe them away when you’re finished.
• Top out — to summit the boulder and stand-up.
• Traverse — lateral movement that is typically a horizontal problem. The opposite of an up-problem.
• UK technical grades – inaddition to the Hueco and Fontainebleau grading system.
• Up-Problem — a problem that goes up. The opposite of a traverse.
• V-Scale — The current grading scale used by most of the developed world. The ‘V’ comes from the originator of the grading scale, John Sherman. See Hueco.

Bouldering Risks

There are substantial risks involved in bouldering and although we are certainly not going to put you off from taking part we would encourage you to wear a helmet, use crash pads, plenty of chalk, get the right training and start at an indoor climbing centre under the guidance of an instructor before climbing outdoors.

Climbing equipment can be found here, along with further climbing gear help and advice. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.