|
clef360
Oct 28, 2009, 2:38 PM
Post #1 of 24
(5974 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 30, 2009
Posts: 5
|
I'm about to embark on a fairly long road trip on my own with a very flexible schedule, so I was thinking about doing some bouldering along the way. I'll have my shoes and crash pad with me. I've done some hiking alone, but climbing seems potentially more dangerous without the "buddy system" and spotting issues. Of course, I wouldn't be able to do anything with a bad landing. Any experiences or warnings?
(This post was edited by clef360 on Oct 28, 2009, 2:43 PM)
|
|
|
|
|
kennoyce
Oct 28, 2009, 2:51 PM
Post #2 of 24
(5962 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 6, 2001
Posts: 1338
|
I've done it many times, you do need to be a little bit more careful, but come on, it's bouldering. I don't know if you do any roped climbing, but if you do, take your gear since you can always meet climbing partners along the way. Good luck and have fun.
|
|
|
|
|
sungam
Oct 28, 2009, 2:54 PM
Post #3 of 24
(5954 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 24, 2004
Posts: 26804
|
Go to busy places. Look for the dirtiest looking guys (they'll probably be crushing) and climb with them.
|
|
|
|
|
tradmanclimbs
Oct 28, 2009, 3:05 PM
Post #4 of 24
(5943 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 24, 2003
Posts: 2599
|
Yur gonna die!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
sugdenj82
Oct 28, 2009, 3:44 PM
Post #5 of 24
(5907 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 10, 2006
Posts: 16
|
Don't fall, be conservative, and willing to downclimb.
|
|
|
|
|
johnwesely
Oct 28, 2009, 3:49 PM
Post #6 of 24
(5892 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 13, 2006
Posts: 5360
|
I almost always boulder alone. I am still here.
|
|
|
|
|
milesenoell
Oct 28, 2009, 4:39 PM
Post #7 of 24
(5851 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 19, 2006
Posts: 1156
|
I never bouldered much until recently, but I'm still yet to boulder with anybody. It can be really satisfying to figure out your own beta after getting stuck (again and again). Just make sure somebody knows where you went and when you were supposed to get back. (On a road trip, you can make it a time to call a buddy or family member.) I destroyed an ankle while backpacking way out in very rugged terrain, and while I can say that yes it sucks to be seriously injured and away from help, it makes a big difference to know that somebody will come looking for you in a couple days. Running around solo can be really satisfying. I still do it.
|
|
|
|
|
swoopee
Oct 28, 2009, 4:44 PM
Post #8 of 24
(5844 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 17, 2008
Posts: 560
|
clef360 wrote: I'm about to embark on a fairly long road trip on my own with a very flexible schedule, so I was thinking about doing some bouldering along the way. I'll have my shoes and crash pad with me. I've done some hiking alone, but climbing seems potentially more dangerous without the "buddy system" and spotting issues. Of course, I wouldn't be able to do anything with a bad landing. Any experiences or warnings? Bouldering is masturbation. Need I say more?
|
|
|
|
|
shockabuku
Oct 28, 2009, 6:02 PM
Post #9 of 24
(5822 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 20, 2006
Posts: 4868
|
To incorporate some of the ideas already presented: Warning! Bouldering alone is less fun than having sex alone!
|
|
|
|
|
dolphja
Oct 28, 2009, 6:36 PM
Post #10 of 24
(5798 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 18, 2001
Posts: 298
|
yea, if you're going at it totally solo, just keep your head in the right spot and tell someone where you're goin and when you are expected to return. if you visit the well traveled spots, you're probably going to run into plenty of climbers to give you a spot.
|
|
|
|
|
jolery
Oct 28, 2009, 7:20 PM
Post #11 of 24
(5770 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 28, 2008
Posts: 173
|
99% of the time I boulder alone - my worst injury bouldering to date resulted from impacting my spine on my "spotter's" shoulder after popping off a roof unexpectedly - still fucks with me. Just stay away from sketchy stuff, use your crash pad, and take a cell phone so you have some chance of getting help if shit goes awry.
|
|
|
|
|
curt
Oct 28, 2009, 9:04 PM
Post #13 of 24
(5704 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 27, 2002
Posts: 18275
|
swoopee wrote: clef360 wrote: I'm about to embark on a fairly long road trip on my own with a very flexible schedule, so I was thinking about doing some bouldering along the way. I'll have my shoes and crash pad with me. I've done some hiking alone, but climbing seems potentially more dangerous without the "buddy system" and spotting issues. Of course, I wouldn't be able to do anything with a bad landing. Any experiences or warnings? Bouldering is masturbation. Need I say more? Then perhaps you should "get a grip" a little more often yourself. It may even get you beyond being a weakmo top-roper. Curt
|
|
|
|
|
Bats
Oct 28, 2009, 10:23 PM
Post #14 of 24
(5664 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 27, 2007
Posts: 486
|
I love to bouldering alone...its you and the rock. I always tell someone at which location I am going to be at. Also if I start up and the landing looks sketchy, like it is on a sloping slab about 20 degrees or so, I abort. One of my trad buddies dislike me doing the bouldering alone thing. He always preached to me about a boulderer found died the next day several years ago. But this boulderer from what I hear from others was on a 40 ft high ball. Some even told me it was suicide. I say do what is comfortable and tangible.
|
|
|
|
|
crackmeup
Oct 28, 2009, 10:51 PM
Post #15 of 24
(5650 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 146
|
clef360 wrote: I'm about to embark on a fairly long road trip on my own with a very flexible schedule, so I was thinking about doing some bouldering along the way. I'll have my shoes and crash pad with me. Any experiences or warnings? Know your limits. Test your crashpad placement, sometimes gently bouncing a pebble off the climb gives you an idea of where you could land. When alone I prefer straight-up problems with flat landings, as you'll stay above your pad and won't roll down the hill without anyone to stop you. Accept the fact that most likely you won't be able to climb as hard as you would with spotters and more pads. Make up your own problems, such as lowball traverses. I've backed out of intimidating problems when alone that turned out to be warm-ups when trying them with several pads and spotters.
|
|
|
|
|
swoopee
Oct 29, 2009, 12:35 PM
Post #16 of 24
(5605 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 17, 2008
Posts: 560
|
curt wrote: swoopee wrote: clef360 wrote: I'm about to embark on a fairly long road trip on my own with a very flexible schedule, so I was thinking about doing some bouldering along the way. I'll have my shoes and crash pad with me. I've done some hiking alone, but climbing seems potentially more dangerous without the "buddy system" and spotting issues. Of course, I wouldn't be able to do anything with a bad landing. Any experiences or warnings? Bouldering is masturbation. Need I say more? Then perhaps you should "get a grip" a little more often yourself. [image]http://www.rockclimbing.com/images/photos/assets/6/410756-largest_me.jpg[/image] It may even get you beyond being a weakmo top-roper. Curt Yeah, well maybe I like being a weakmo toproper. I am old, fat, and I have had a heart-attack. BTW, I actually do boulder, but always alone. I also lead easy trad from time to time. I'd do much more multi-pitch trad if I had suitable partners.
|
|
|
|
|
agincourt
Oct 29, 2009, 6:54 PM
Post #17 of 24
(5566 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 16, 2009
Posts: 7
|
I boulder alone. I'm getting really good at downclimbing. I don't go into the woods without having enough stuff to spend the night there should something break.
|
|
|
|
|
josh83
Oct 29, 2009, 10:42 PM
Post #18 of 24
(5539 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 9, 2009
Posts: 2
|
Where will you be? I as well am road tripping from So. Cal To my folks place in Wis. I'll be in Utah and Colorado during the first two weeks of Nov. Looking to mostly boulder but I'm interested in anything...
|
|
|
|
|
qtm
Nov 1, 2009, 2:35 AM
Post #19 of 24
(5455 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 8, 2004
Posts: 548
|
crackmeup wrote: clef360 wrote: I'm about to embark on a fairly long road trip on my own with a very flexible schedule, so I was thinking about doing some bouldering along the way. I'll have my shoes and crash pad with me. Any experiences or warnings? Know your limits. Test your crashpad placement, sometimes gently bouncing a pebble off the climb gives you an idea of where you could land. When alone I prefer straight-up problems with flat landings, as you'll stay above your pad and won't roll down the hill without anyone to stop you. Accept the fact that most likely you won't be able to climb as hard as you would with spotters and more pads. Make up your own problems, such as lowball traverses. I've backed out of intimidating problems when alone that turned out to be warm-ups when trying them with several pads and spotters. Great advice. I try to keep it low and upright. Think about heel hooks and jams which might flip you upside down, or moves that could spin you off away from your pad. I've got a double-wide pad, half as thin but twice as wide, helps keep me above the pad. If you can pack a 2nd pad, that'd be even better. After watching the Verm video, I've been thinking that a helmet would be a good idea when bouldering solo... especially since there's no one around to make fun of you. Haven't actually gone and done it though.
|
|
|
|
|
icanribbit
Nov 10, 2009, 9:33 PM
Post #20 of 24
(5236 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 3, 2009
Posts: 27
|
make sure to bring lots of beer and get smashed, that way when you fall you wont feel it till later
|
|
|
|
|
gmggg
Nov 11, 2009, 6:41 PM
Post #22 of 24
(5154 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 25, 2009
Posts: 2099
|
swoopee wrote: icanribbit wrote: make sure to bring lots of beer and get smashed, that way when you fall you wont feel it till later I thought that all bouldererererers were beanie wearing potheads. You are thinking of Canadians.
|
|
|
|
|
clef360
Nov 19, 2009, 12:34 PM
Post #23 of 24
(4958 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 30, 2009
Posts: 5
|
Well, I bouldered alone in San Diego, Austin, and Hueco Tanks and somehow made it out alive! Thanks for all the advice, even though it probably seemed like common sense to most people. I did end up using some of your suggestions!
|
|
|
|
|
king_rat
Nov 19, 2009, 12:52 PM
Post #24 of 24
(4951 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 20, 2005
Posts: 365
|
I often bolder alone, and I think doing so safely is just about being sensible, accepting that there is a potential to injure yourself, take steps to minimise the risk and have plan for what to do if you do injure yourself. I generally tell someone where I am going and will phone them when I am safely back. I always take my phone with me(though there is not always a signal so I don’t rely on it). I normally have a medical kit in my rucksack I generally avoid very isolated spots. And I pick routes that are safer, no highball problems or bad landings.
|
|
|
|
|
|