Bouldering

NPS

Rocky Mountain National Park is a premier alpine bouldering destination that attracts visitors from around the world. Two of the most popular bouldering destinations inside the park, Chaos Canyon and Emerald Lake, are located at elevations over 10,000 feet above sea level.

Most bouldering locations within RMNP are also located within areas of designated wilderness and are part of the sensitive alpine ecosystem.

Climbers must do their part to help protect this special environment.

 

What is Bouldering?

Bouldering is a form of free climbing that is performed on small rock formations without the use of ropes or harnesses. Most climbers use climbing shoes to help their feet grip the surface of the rock, chalk on their hands, and bouldering crash pads to help prevent injuries from falls.

 

Be a Climbing Steward - Use Minimum Impact Climbing Techniques

• When walking to bouldering locations, stay on marked trails and social trails to avoid vegetation destruction and erosion. When not possible, travel on durable surfaces and rock.
• Avoid destruction and removal of vegetation while traveling as well as to clear a problem. Cutting down trees and shrubs is prohibited.
• Avoid moving rocks or logs to build up landings underneath boulder problems.
• Respect other visitors. Answering inquisitive questions about your crash pads politely will go a long way in maintaining positive relations between climbers and other park visitors.
• Keep noise to a minimum to maintain a wilderness experience for others. Please use headphones if listening to music.
• Brush off your chalk and tick marks when done with a problem.
• Chipping and drilling holds destroys the rock face. Avoid changing the rock to make the route easier. Accept nature on its terms.
• Motorized equipment is prohibited in wilderness. This includes motorized fans.
• Dispose of human waste properly. Use wag bags to pack out human waste.
• Check for micro-trash and pick up any litter before you leave the area.
• There is a voluntary closure in place for the Meadow Boulder in Upper Chaos Canyon. This closure ensures the fragile vegetation beneath this boulder can remain an important food source for pika and other animals that live in Chaos Canyon.

Stashing any climbing gear, including crash pads, is prohibited inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Any gear that is found will be removed and confiscated.

 

NPS

Why Can't I Stash my Crash Pad?

The unique experience of bouldering in Rocky Mountain National Park includes being in a remote and high-elevation alpine environment.

To help protect this fragile environment we all enjoy, it is important for all crash pads, climbing gear, and litter to be packed out with you at the end of your day. Stashed crash pads are disruptive to wildlife. Stashed crash pads get chewed on by wildlife and quickly becomes micro trash and litter.

Do your part to leave no trace and pack out your crash pads at the end of each day.

 

Important Access Considerations

Many areas with bouldering problems inside Rocky Mountain National Park are adjacent to private property and/or shared spaces used by other recreational users like day hikers and wilderness campers.

Take time to research how to get to a bouldering problem without crossing private property or disrupting other park visitors. By accessing these areas in a socially conscious way we help maintain good relationships with our neighbors and with other park visitors.

The Main Area at Wild Basin is in close proximity to the Pine Ridge Wilderness campsite. Boulderers should use the bouldering access trail that leaves the main Wild Basin Trail BEFORE the campsite access trail to not disturb campers. Boulderers should limit their noise levels and respect camper’s privacy near the privy. Boulderers should avoid night bouldering when campers are present.