This past Sunday, I went on a day trip to go bouldering with the JCU rock climbing club. Bouldering is a type of rock climbing that generally involves shorter ascents - like on boulders instead of large rock faces. Ropes and harnesses are not used, just mats below the climber, so bouldering trips are much easier for the climbing club to organize - less hassle.

Grandma mentioned that she couldn't really picture what the activity and the terrain would look like, and I'm sure she's not the only one, so below is a picture of some of the climbing that was going on this trip. If it helps you understand what's going on a little better, we're focusing on tiny little features in the granite that we can get a foot (essentially a toe) or some fingers on. There were some great photo opportunities later in the day (and an incredibly beautiful GINORMOUS boulder), but my camera battery died early, and I foolishly left my spare at home.

Bouldering on granite boulders with the JCU climbing club

We went to this great place about 40 minutes from campus (and then a 30-40 minute hike through beautiful areas with only a vague trail to follow). The area was great - tons of places with massive granite boulders, formed by erosion of the bedrock. We had a good group of about 15, with a range of all different skill levels. It was a lot of fun. Since bouldering is closer to the ground, it is quite social... we all sit around and rest and chat while a couple people are climbing, and when someone would get to a particularly tricky bit, everyone around encourages and supports the climber. It's really great.

Meghan, I'm holding you to it - you're taking me climbing when I get back to Oregon!