Bouldering is a form of rock climbing practiced close to the ground, thus eliminating the need for safety equipment such as harnesses, ropes and helmets etc. For some this makes it the purest form of climbing, it is simply you and the rock. Bouldering often involves sideways traversing as well as vertical climbing. Its focus is on individual moves or short sequences of moves which generally demand bursts of intense energy rather than endurance. These moves or sequences are referred to as ‘problems’ – this is due to the time and effort often needed to ‘work out’ the technical moves that are involved in ‘solving’ or ‘sending’ (completing) a bouldering move.

To reduce the risk of injury from a fall boulder problems are rarely higher than 4 metres from the ground. Climbers often use ‘crash pads’ or ‘bouldering mats’ in conjunction with or instead of (if you’re bouldering alone) ‘spotters’, ‘Spotters’ are your mates who stand behind you when you’re on difficult problems, arms and body sprung ready to break your fall or / and direct your fall towards the crash pad if there is one.