You might have seen the terms bouldering and climbing being used interchangeably, without really knowing the differences between them. But they're actually separate disciplines which will test different skills.
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What's the difference between bouldering and climbing?
Bouldering takes place at lower heights (up to around 4.5m) than rock climbing, and doesn't involve equipment such as ropes and harnesses – but crash mats are often put down underneath to cushion falls. Rock climbing routes are often higher and can involve a belaying system with another person, which provides a safety system to catch a falling climber and controls the tension in the rope.
The two sports also test different sets of skills. Climbing combines strength, endurance, technique and strategy to tackle higher (and therefore longer) climbs while bouldering tests your strength, technique and problem-solving skills.
Both rock climbing and bouldering can occur indoors (on a climbing wall) or outdoors.
What are the different types of climbing?
There are lots of different types of climbing, but they can be categorised into two broad categories: rope climbing and unroped climbing. Types of rope climbing include trad climbing and sport climbing, and examples of unroped climbing include via ferrata and free soloing.
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