Bouldering has seen an explosion of interest from new athletes and longtime climbers over the last decade or so. Part of that growth has been due to climbing gyms opening in every corner of the country, even in areas located miles from any actual rock. However, many climbers are excited to take their bouldering skills outside.
Videos by Outdoors
Part of the draw of the sport is its simplicity: a pair of climbing shoes, a few crash pads, and you’re ready to go.
But, as one climber recently learned, wearing the right shoes can matter—even if you’re not the one bouldering.
Check out this video from Instagram user “JungleJarv”:
Judging by their collection of videos online, this person has a good grasp of the sport of climbing. However, a recent incident while spotting someone else bouldering had them rethinking what gear they should use.
In the clip, one person is climbing on a rock, while JungleJarv spots them. That’s when a person on the ground helps “catch” the climber if they fall, to make sure they land properly on the mats below. However, sometimes great climbing lines can have rough landings and be surrounded by rocks. This is the case here, as JungleJarv slips off the rocks below and takes a tumble off-camera.
He blamed it on his Crocs.
“Don’t wear Crocs while spotting in wet conditions when you’re 8 feet high off the ground on a rock with minimal surface area,” the post said. “As I fell out of shot, I landed headfirst onto a large, sharp rock. As soon as I opened my eyes after the impact, I saw the rock my head had just hit and instantly assumed that my head was going to be split in two.”
Bouldering Safety
The post is a good reminder for anyone who likes getting outdoors. Part of the enjoyment of going bouldering is the community, which often has people hanging around as one person climbs. But there is also a reason many people wear approach shoes for additional support on rocky terrain.
