Bouldering is a form of free climbing that is performed on small rock
formations or artificial rock walls without the use of ropes or
harnesses. While bouldering can be done without any equipment, most
climbers use climbing shoes to help secure footholds, chalk to keep
their hands dry and to provide a firmer grip, and bouldering mats to
prevent injuries from falls. Unlike free solo climbing, which is also
performed without ropes, bouldering problems (the sequence of moves that
a climber performs to complete the climb) are usually less than six
metres (20 ft) tall. Traverses, which are a form of boulder problem,
require the climber to climb horizontally from one end to another.
