From Deseret News archives:
Bouldering helps sharpen skills
Falls are common in "bouldering," or climbing big rocks without equipment or ropes, thus the use of pads. And, generally, friends standing nearby help guide the climber to the cushion.
What bouldering is is a subsport that has turned into a sport.
It was developed by serious rock climbers looking for quick and easy, and safe, ways of practicing for more technical climbing. Climbers found it fun, challenging and not life-threatening. It also offered climbing opportunity for those who may be uncomfortable with heights.
All that's required for bouldering is a big rock, a pouch of chalk and climbing shoes, pointed out Rich Koski, director of sales, Ogden/Weber Convention and Visitors Bureau.
One of the more popular boulder fields is located at the top of 27th Street in Ogden, between Taylorsville and Waterfall canyons. There are a couple of dozen very large boulders strewn over a flat area. Over the centuries, these boulders broke away from the rock cliffs above and came to rest near the city boundaries just above St. Joseph High School.
"What makes these boulders good for climbing is the rock, quartzite, is very hard, so even the smallest holds are usable and won't break off.
Climbers can get hold of even the tiniest of edges and try to work with it. There are also some very nice overhanging problems with larger holds where climbers can go upside down," he said.
In the overall picture, bouldering is considered to be in the very center of progressive climbing. Novice climbers start with indoor climbing walls, move to bouldering and, if they choose, try more serious rock climbing on cliff walls.
Ogden has, in fact, become well recognized in recent years as a perfect three-stage school for climbing enthusiasts.
In the heart of the city is the new iRock climbing center located in the Salomon Center.
IRock offers a full range of indoor climbing opportunities, including 55-foot-high indoor climbing walls with rope climbing and a range of route selections ranging from very easy to extremely difficult. There is also a man-made "boulder" about 10 feet high that can be climbed from all four sides.
Recent comments
The cliffs above 27th St. are actually called The Schoolroom Wall.
Abe Shreve | April 17, 2008 at 9:07 a.m.
- Former health chief: Ignore guideline 11:11 a.m.
- Sen. moderates frustrate other Dems 10:57 a.m.
- Yellowstone grizzly deaths down 10:52 a.m.
- Atheist groups flourish on campuses 10:37 a.m.
- Griffin edges Ortiz in split decision 10:26 a.m.
- China mine disaster recounted 10:02 a.m.
- VMI faces sexism accusations 9:56 a.m.
- Mubarak warns Israel over Jerusalem 9:39 a.m.
- 65 leaders set for climate summit 9:36 a.m.
- Nevada grabs rushing records 9:34 a.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Utah Utes whip SDSU
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Y. coach Hill up for Portland State job
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
194 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
173 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
159 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - BYU records with win
111 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
Andy is the man - deflecting credit to Jason, Garth and Kyle, but he is every...
the hysterics has been running out of oil at least since the 60s. Seems they...
You win in the short run with force, and sometimes emergency dictates this,...
Good win (tougher game than I thought it would be). AK good job on 3 point...
Max, in my book you are every bit the field general as Ty And Steve. I was...
I can hear BYU players crying... 'Mama, RoJo picked me twice 'Dada,...
coaches should never leave to go coach another team in-conference. just my...
TOO LONG. BORING. Felt like it WAS 2012 by the time it ended.
I was sitting in my car just after class at Pasadena City College. I...
To Roland 6:35 Thanks for bringing up Norway's high infant mortality. Did...


