Reply To: WA Bouldering History

Over the past 2-3 years I would say there has been a huge increase not only in popularity but bouldering spots / problems.

Infact I would hazard a guess that the development of bouldering has been the most during this period not only around Perth but all of WA. I would guess that the popularity that has been seen in the eastern states has spread into the mainstream community in WA all be it a few years behind. But this seems to be the case with most evolutions of sports…

New developments / problems (and excuse any inaccuracies)

– Problems around the quarries (Minidala) comes to mind

– Boulder rock continually development with harder lines being sent and repeated. Varrious contributers to problems at all grades but mention must be made of Ben’s guide which was the states first “Bouldering guide”

– Kalamundra (although well know and developed by Jones mid 90’s) I would say that there has been an influx in the problems that around this area. I know the team of Ben / Steve / Andy has in the past been busy in this area.

– Developments in the forest and foothills around Mt Randal within the last year to 18 months

– Problems at Merchant Rock have seen an increase in attention

– Whale rock, but again there has been earlier development than the past 2-3 years

– Down south Albany region has seen some attention

– Dreaded boulders – Jay and Kim have been hard at work with the help of a few others

– And the new areas of Millars and Mt Cooke. With probably the greatest concentration of problems around Perth

As one can see Bouldering is alive and well around Perth. I would say much more than trad and sport climbing. Why?

Because bouldering is the new in thing

The rock around perth does not lead to 3 star classic trad and sport routes and

There are thousands of “bindies” scattered through the Perth hills that scream to be climbed and become instant classic boulder problems, if only in the mind of the first to climb them. But then, who else really cares if you climb some obscure “bindy” out the back of Mt Cooke?

– Boulder / Climb on…