Bouldering
Ropeless Climbing Protected by Spotters & PadsWhat is bouldering?
Bouldering is a type of rock climbing where the climbs, or "problems," are shorter than typical climbing routes (usually 5 to 20 feet high). Instead of ropes, bouldering uses spotting and thick padding to protect falls.
For a group, bouldering tends to be more dynamic and fluid than roped climbing, since its easy to hop on and off a route, "work the problem" as a group and communicate with your partner(s).
Bouldering at Devil’s Lake
Devil’s Lake provides a seemingly endless amount of bouldering, with new problems being established frequently. The purple quartzite found at the Lake is slick and unforgiving, providing some of the most unique bouldering in the Midwest. The large volume of boulders provide a variety of problems for climbers of all abilities and styles.
We also offer bouldering trips at Governor Dodge State Park, which is more friendly to folks who are just getting started with outdoor bouldering.
Bouldering One
For years, bouldering provided climbers with a means of training for bigger climbing objectives elsewhere. In the last few decades, bouldering has evolved into a climbing genre for its own sake and continues to gain rapid popularity.
Geared towards both new climbers and rope climbers, this course helps you better understand what bouldering has to offer and provides skills to approach bouldering indoors or outdoors in the future.
An Introduction to non-roped Boulder problems
EXPERIENCE
Learn how to use a guidebook and history of Devil’s Lake bouldering (or Governor Dodge).
Discuss common bouldering terminology.
Discover how the Hueco scale grading system works.
Practice efficient pad placement and proper spotting technique.
Gain experience on rock through foundational hand and footwork.
LOGISTICS
WHEN: March - November, weather permitting.
PREREQUISITES: No prior climbing experience necessary.
BRING YOUR OWN: Food, water, clothing/footwear appropriate for weather, camera, sunscreen. Climbers with their own equipment may bring as much as they would like to use. We can supply all climbing equipment if you do not have your own.
GROUP SIZE: 1 to 6. Larger groups possible by custom request.
Half Day
(3.5 Hours)
- GROUP SIZE | PRICE
- Solo | $350/person
- 2 pp | $185/person
- 3 pp | $145/person
- 4 pp | $125/person
- 5 pp | $110/person
- 6 pp | $100/person
Bouldering Two
Tour and Sample Classic Boulder problems at Devil's Lake or Governor Dodge State Park
With hundreds of problems to choose from, it can be difficult to hit a large number of the best problems Devil’s Lake or Governor Dodge has to offer in a single day. This tour gives you a chance to be guided to a bunch of the classics in a single session, maximizing your climbing time.
EXPERIENCE
Learn the history of bouldering in the area.
Help plan your personalized tour of problems throughout the Park.
Enjoy attempting a number of great problems, at your pace.
LOGISTICS
WHEN: March - November, weather permitting.
PREREQUISITES: No prior climbing experience necessary, however some experience recommended.
BRING YOUR OWN: Food, water, clothing/footwear appropriate for weather, camera, sunscreen. Climbers with their own equipment may bring as much as they would like to use. We can supply all climbing equipment if you do not have your own.
GROUP SIZE: 1 to 6. Larger groups possible by custom request.
Full Day
(7 Hours)
- GROUP SIZE | PRICE
- Solo | $475/person
- 2 pp | $250/person
- 3 pp | $195/person
- 4 pp | $165/person
- 5 pp | $145/person
- 6 pp | $130/person
Open Bouldering
$145/person
FIRST sATURDAY & tHIRD sUNDAY Each Month
aPRIL - oCTOBER
If you don't have bouldering buddies to join you on a private trip, join an Open Bouldering II session. This is a great place to meet new friends or potential partners and enjoy a great day outside. We provide the pads, spotters, chalk, and beta. You bring the excitement!
Minimum enrollment is three climbers.
EXPERIENCE
Enjoy attempting a number of great problems at classic locations.
Practice efficient pad placement and proper outdoor spotting technique.
Gain experience on outdoor rock
Practice foundational hand and footwork techniques.
Meet new climbers.
LOGISTICS
WHEN: 1st Saturday & 3rd Sunday every month April - October, weather permitting.
PREREQUISITES: No prior climbing experience necessary, however some experience recommended.
BRING YOUR OWN: Food, water, clothing/footwear appropriate for weather, camera, sunscreen. Climbers with their own equipment may bring as much as they would like to use. We can supply all climbing equipment if you do not have your own.
GROUP SIZE: Minimum enrollment of 3 total climbers for trip to run
Full Day
(7 Hours)
- $145/person
