Outdoor bouldering: what you need to know

You’ve hoisted your crashpad onto your shoulders, packed your climbing shoes, chalk bag and brush: now it’s time to set off. Bouldering fans traverse forests and fields to find rocks with the right level of difficulty and might even light a fire to cook their dinner on.

To protect the natural environment, you need to follow a few unwritten rules: please comply with them and encourage others to do the same.

Getting there: stick to the beaten path

You can usually find a car park near a bouldering area. Don’t just abandon your vehicle anywhere if the car park isn’t all that close or if it’s full: look for a spot where you’re allowed to park. You might need to walk a little further to get to the bouldering site, but you can use this time to warm-up to prevent injuries. Or, even better, spare yourself the faff of finding parking and just take the bus or train if possible.

As you head towards the rocks, you should only use pre-existing paths or trails. This prevents you from squashing any plants. Comply with any closures or rest periods, too.

Prepare your bouldering site properly

Set up the site properly before you start climbing: place your mats in the fall zone and cover any obstacles. You need to prepare your body for bouldering, too. Your circulatory system is probably already warmed up from the walk to the rocks, and you can hold a stress ball and warm up your fingers as you walk – so, now you should pay particular attention to your upper body. Get your arms and shoulders ready to take the strain.

Remember: you want to avoid injuries, despite the mats and your friends looking out for you. So, only climb up as high as you feel comfortable. In bouldering gyms, the blocks are usually no more than 4.5 metres tall: this is a good guide for outdoors, too.

Don’t change anything on the rocks

Bouldering is all about concentration: children and dogs should not disturb or jeopardise you or other climbers. The same goes for listening to music, if you’re not on your own. Why not just politely ask the other people around you if they mind? This’ll also give you a chance to strike up a chat with them. And speaking of chatting, pleasant conversation is all part and parcel of bouldering. Interacting with others makes the experience more fun – plus, you can learn from each other.

Don’t change anything on the rocks when you’re bouldering: adding or modifying holds is a no-no. Similarly, keep your hands off areas with lots of vegetation. The plants deserve to be able to keep their home!

Don’t leave any trace

When you’re finished climbing, brush any traces away from the cliff, getting rid of any magnesium or tick-marks. Ideally, use a bouldering brush, which you can store in your chalk bag.

If you need to relieve yourself during your outdoor adventure, walk as far away from the bouldering area as possible, and please follow the usual rules for doing your business outdoors, as well.

You don’t need us to tell you that you should pack up your own rubbish and dispose of it appropriately. However, if you find other people’s rubbish, too, you’ll probably find room for it in your bin bag.