Is Bouldering Dead?

**romeo tango** · 06-18-2021, 08:06 PM

I boulder as a seasonal warm-up/wrap-up, recon new areas or a lovely afternoon on the stone. When I started visiting Leavenworth/Icicle Creek Canyon, popular zones were busy AF. Now, i see small groups here and there, now and then and the parking lots are empty. I'm just curious what others are seeing in their areas. Also, not looking to compare US to the rest of the World ....

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**subtle plague** · 06-20-2021, 02:58 AM

Over here in Europe (you didn't want to hear that) it's booming more than ever. Gyms growing like mushrooms and owners have been carrying Cash out in wheelbarrows.

Magic wood has become a Zoo.

**ex-powderbroker** · 06-20-2021, 07:36 AM

they’ve probably just moved on to some other spot. boulderer all have to go to the same spot. you know it takes one guy to do the problem, another to film, another guy to work the bluetooth, two to sleep in hammocks etc. that parking lot is full!

**XXX-er** · 06-21-2021, 07:37 PM

a Young climber/ musician bro calls bouldering the acoustic version of rock climbing

**Dumbest Known Time** · 06-21-2021, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by romeo tango

I boulder as a seasonal warm-up/wrap-up, recon new areas or a lovely afternoon on the stone. When I started visiting Leavenworth/Icicle Creek Canyon, popular zones were busy AF. Now, i see small groups here and there, now and then and the parking lots are empty. I'm just curious what others are seeing in their areas. Also, not looking to compare US to the rest of the World ....

Wow, that's really surprising. The Icicle was where I learned to climb and I all but stopped going there in the past few years because it was such a zoo. Maybe everyone else is avoiding it for the same reasons? Post-hype window?

**powdork** · 06-24-2021, 09:18 AM

alive and kicking here in tahoe. but the guides are 5 thick books deep and much of the development is new so it doesn't seem crowded at all

**RoadHeadBill** · 07-13-2021, 02:35 PM

I feel like it is more popular than ever? Millennials and Gen Z are huge into climbing and bouldering is very much the entry level of the sport. No equipment aside from shoes. Low skill threshold for starting. Just get to a gym or crag and climb.

**subtle plague** · 07-14-2021, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by RoadHeadBill

or crag and climb.

That seems like a baad idea if you're not in Fontainebleau. Breaking and spraining your limbs is a given if you don't use pads in anything but a flat sandbottom landing.

**concretejungle** · 07-14-2021, 10:35 AM

You went to Leavenworth in the middle of June and was surprised there weren't more boulderers? We've only gone in September/October or in March/April/May. Although I'm sure you could boulder there in June most of the crowds have moved on.

It's more popular than ever and it really plays into the younger people and their affinity for posting stupid social media shit about how rad they are. As a boulderer from back when we got made fun of I definitely miss being ignored.

There is no way in hell I'm bouldering without pads and you should at least have something to wipe your climbing shoes on before sticking them on the problems.

**adrenalated** · 07-14-2021, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by concretejungle

As a boulderer from back when we got made fun of I definitely miss being ignored.

Don't worry, some of us still make fun of you pebble wrestling weirdos.

**subtle plague** · 07-16-2021, 03:33 AM

Originally Posted by concretejungle

There is no way in hell I'm bouldering without pads and you should at least have something to wipe your climbing shoes on before sticking them on the problems.

I was Assuming that everyone has a piece of cloth to clean their shoes, but maybe I've become too much of an Bleausard over the years that I thought this is a given. [emoji6]

**MakersTeleMark** · 07-22-2021, 05:37 AM

I can't even fathom the V #'s on these:

**Supermoon** · 07-22-2021, 03:12 PM

Damn. Where's the line between a high-ball and a free solo? A couple of those definitely straddled it.

**Dantheman** · 07-22-2021, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by Supermoon

Damn. Where's the line between a high-ball and a free solo? A couple of those definitely straddled it.

Like porn, it's hard to define but you know it when you see it.

**cragginshred** · 01-03-2023, 10:32 AM

Not where we live. I'm not into it but with Yosemite 1.5 hours away, Columbia, Tahoe corridors and Bishop all a few hours away the younger climbers are still way into it!

Less people at the sport crags!