The sport of bouldering is in the rock-climbing family but has its own culture and is often used as a practice for cliff rock climbing. Bouldering is considered ‘free climbing’ performed on small rock formations or artificial routes. Bouldering is climbing without the use of ropes or harnesses. It involves vertical pitches utilizing body weight to propel up a rock. Bouldering sights in Central Oregon are becoming increasingly popular. Bouldering sights can be made from any area with jagged rock formations. Boulders and rock formations create natural hand holds and vertical pitches.
Climbers use crash pads underneath their route in case of falling as they aren’t using a rope or harness to catch them. Most climbers use climbing shoes and chalk to stick into handholds as they work their way up a vertical pitch.
Typically, bouldering routes are not a very high pitch, so if you do fall, you aren’t falling very far and you’re falling onto a crash pad.
Bouldering started as a practice for mountaineering and rock climbing that a climber could do on their own. “It’s the most physical and gymnastic aspect of climbing,” said Andy Coleman, owner of The Circuit Bouldering Gym in Bend.
The Circuit Bouldering Gym in Bend is a gym dedicated to free climbing and bouldering. For climbers that typically rock climb, bouldering can be an interesting challenge. Bouldering allows climbers at any skill level to dive into the sport. Because it doesn’t require much equipment, someone interested can go out to a gym and try it for themselves, completely on their own.
There are several bouldering locations in the Sisters and Central Oregon areas. Any place you can climb on boulders can be constituted as a bouldering area. With a crash pad, shoes, and chalk, climbers can boulder anywhere.
Locations include an area off Wilt Road near the Whychus Canyon Estates properties, as well as on the west side of Bend near Shevlin Park. There are several places next to the Deschutes River that allow for serene vistas on top of basalt boulder columns. To learn more visit: https://www.mountainproject.com/area/114430286/sisters-area.
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