Laying boulder mats is more difficult than you think. If the pads are in the wrong place, if there are gaps or gaps between the pads, injuries happen quickly. We've put together a few tips on what you should pay attention to when laying out the pads.
A contribution by Nora Scheel - Bächli Bergsport
1. Estimate fall room
Start by estimating the fall room. How is the Boulder? Where are you going to fall? Also, consider which handles are loaded in which direction or in which direction you will fall. If you have trouble estimating the landing, take a look down the first try. So it is usually best to assess where you fall.
2. Design the lintel correctly
Put that Pads now so that the entire lintel is covered. The thickest and largest pads come to where you fall from the highest altitude. If you do not have enough pads for the entire fall room, focus on the most delicate spots. At most, your spotter may move a pad while bouldering.
3. Make landing
If the landing is uneven you should try to flatten it. Place a (small) pad so that the hole or the sloping floor is filled. Then comes the top layer of Padsthat you interpret as usual.
4. Avoid columns and paragraphs
Pay attention when laying out the Pads insist that neither paragraphs nor columns arise. If you fall on it when falling down with your foot, you can represent your ankle and tug your ligaments.
You avoid paragraphs by placing the pads next to each other and not on top of each other. If it is absolutely necessary to put the pads on top of each other - for example because the boulder is very high and you need two layers of pads - place the thinner, softer pads on top. These usually have a smaller and softer edge, so you will bend less if you fall on them. Columns you can cover with so-called starter pads. These are small, thin and relatively hard Pads.
Despite careful layout and the use of starter pads, certain paragraphs and columns are usually inevitable. Make sure they are not exactly where you fall the most.
5. Put pads on the right side
Bouldering mats usually have a thick but soft bottom layer and a thin but hard top layer. If you fall from a certain height, it spreads the weight over a larger area so you do not break the pad. In addition, the hard layer helps you to keep the balance on impact. Put that Pads So always with the hard layer against the top (so that the logo is visible). An exception are very deep, overhanging boulders (so-called "lowballs"). There it can sometimes be more pleasant to fall with your back on the soft layer.
6. Cover stones, roots, etc.
Bumps like stones or big roots should be well covered. Make sure that not exactly the fold of a pad comes to lie on it. Because the fold of Crashpads is, except in so-called "wrap pads", not or very little padded.
By the way, with most pads you can close the fold with a hook and loop fastener when spread.
7. Detach the support system
For larger boulders in the lintel, sometimes it makes sense to reverse a pad so it bends better. But pay attention to the support system, if it is not covered: When falling down you can get caught in it and thereby fall uncontrollably. For some Pads can be replaced the carrying system for these cases.
In so-called "wrap pads", the support system is usually mounted on the upper side. In that case, you should replace it on every boulder anyway.
8. Avoid "dabs"
A deep, overhanging boulder quickly touches the ground (so-called "dab"). This makes your attempt "invalid". It is best to place the thinner pads or even just a starter pad at these points, as long as this does not cause any risk of injury.
After the first attempts it usually shows, if the pads are designed correctly. If you misjudged the lintel, arrange that Pads New.
Of course, in addition to arranging the pads correctly, it's very important that you get ridiculed by your colleagues. This includes making sure you land on and not next to the pad.
Tips in the contribution of basic course bouldering
About Bächli mountain sports
Bächli mountain sports is the leading Swiss specialist shop for climbing, mountaineering, expeditions, hiking, ski touring and snowshoeing. At currently 13 locations in Switzerland, Bächli Bergsport offers its customers expert advice and high-quality service. Published on LACRUX Bächli mountain sports periodically exciting contributions to the topics climbing, bouldering and mountaineering.
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Credits: Text Nora Scheel / Bächli Bergsport, Pictures Vladek Zumr / Bächli Bergsport