Bouldering is a combination of gymnastics and rock climbing that requires agility and determination. In Rocky Mountain National Park, you can interact with the beauty of the natural world while toning your muscles. If you are up to the challenge, bouldering in Rocky Mountain National Park can be an invigorating experience.
Bouldering History
John Gill developed modern bouldering in the 1950s. He focused on small rock formations, or problems, that provided opportunities for a gymnastic approach to climbing, and initiated the use of chalk as a climbing aid. Boulderers documented the sites that they tackled, and in the 1990s, the Sherman V system gave them a way to formalize the distinctions between boulders. The V system assigns a number to each site that describes its difficulty level. Boulderers are constantly pushing the limits of the sport, trying boulders that are more difficult than any attempted before.
Learning Bouldering
You can practice bouldering on an indoor wall before facing the challenges of a natural boulder. The Denver Bouldering Club offers classes for adults of all skill levels. Contact the club, and it will work with you to determine which class is best for you. The Rock'n and Jam'n gyms in Thornton and Centennial offer indoor problems and guidance to help you get started bouldering. You do not need any special training to begin bouldering, but it is important to be comfortable with your bouldering skills before taking on a real boulder, especially in Rocky Mountain National Park, where the problems tend to be fairly difficult.
Preparing for Your Trip
Bouldering is the least gear-intensive type of rock climbing. Climbers focus on contorting their bodies to follow the natural holds of the stone without rope or harness. Besides appropriate rock climbing shoes, the only equipment that boulderers use is chalk to enhance their hand holds. Eco-colored chalk can prevent your bouldering from marring the appearance of the problems.
Check the weather report before you go. In the winter, deep snow can accumulate in the boulder fields. You may be more comfortable bouldering when the climate is more hospitable. If you plan to camp, obtain a permit to do so. Familiarize yourself with the park rules.
Rocky Mountain National Park Bouldering Sites
Rocks that are suitable for bouldering are scattered across the Rocky Mountain National Park landscape. There are three fields that are frequented by boulderers: Emerald Lake, Chaos Canyon, and Upper Chaos. Emerald Lake is named for the lake nearby; the field is just below the lake itself. Upper Chaos is above Lake Haiyaha, and Chaos Canyon is below the lake. These fields represent only a small fraction of the boulders that are available in the park. You can find bouldering spots along the Rock and Roll trail system that runs through the park. Pick boulders that look interesting. If you want to find out more about a particular boulder, take note of its location and refer to a bouldering guide or ask a local expert to learn about the history of that site.
Bouldering Groups
Whether you are new to the area or an established Rocky Mountain climber, the bouldering groups in the areas around Rocky Mountain National Park can be a great way to meet people with similar interests and find out about sites that you have yet to visit. The Denver Bouldering Club, Rock'n and Jam'n and the Boulder Rock Club attract Rocky Mountain National Park climbers. You can find a group to boulder with that knows where to find interesting problems and how to tackle them.
