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Looking for tips on creating a bouldering wall in my backyard

Original Post
Logan Schiff · · Brooklyn, NY · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 60

Recently moved and was psyched to discover two nice sized cinder-block walls in my backyard. Seems like an ideal spot for a bouldering wall, which I desperately need since I have a 5 month old daughter and have a hard time even making it to the gym. Looking for any guidance as I'v never done this before. I'm primarily a trad/sport climber but enjoy bouldering and would like to keep up both my endurance and finger strength.

The usable space on the two adjacent walls is about 8 feet high, with the bigger wall 14 feet wide and the smaller one 10 feet wide. Seems like plenty of space!

Based on some quick research, looks like hollow set anchors are the way to go. Looks like I can get 50 to start for around $125. Does that sound right?

Any guidance for the first set of holds I should get and any other gear? I'd love to have some climbs in the Veasy-V3 range, maybe with some potentially harder stuff through eliminates, ideally both endurance and crimps but probably can't spend a fortune right of the bat (maybe $300 for the initial project?). Eventually would love to teach my daughter on the wall in a couple years but imagine I can adjust the wall later.

Also thinking about putting 3-4 feet of wood-chips down from the base of the walls. Reasonable idea? Would be cool to have a top-out but don't think that is feasible here.

Any tips on any element of the project are much appreciated. I am not particularly handy and have never set routes. And if you live in Brooklyn (I'm in Clinton Hill) feel free to come on over and check it out!

Backyard wall

MaraC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2011 · Points: 10

Pinar has nothing for you after the epic cave of the UES??

Logan Schiff · · Brooklyn, NY · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 60

Hey Mara! How have you been? I thought about Pinar but also figured she may want to hang on to her stuff. Will definitely check in with her though. This was a recently hatched plan :)

Micah Klesick · · Charlotte, NC · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 3,971

Synrock holds are the way to go IMO. Good price and feel fantastic to climb on.
I

MaraC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2011 · Points: 10

Been fine and about to embark on an epic road trip. Can't wait to meet Sadie one of these days!!

I think Pinar already got rid of her holds?? But I bet she'd have good setting/hardware beta for you.

Jason Wong · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 10

Personally, I'd build something out of wood that's freestanding at various overhanging angles. Just vertical space will get rather boring very quickly. At 8' tall, you're looking at sit starts and maybe a move or two or simply traversing. However, that's probably out of your budget as you can quickly spend $300 on holds alone.

If you do go vertical on the cinders, you could probably get away with buying a bag of foot chips and epoxying them onto the wall for feet. On a big vertical wall, you're going to want the smallest feet you can find to keep things challenging and it'll save you the cost of using up a hollow set anchor on a tiny foot chip.

Good luck with your project.

Jason

GRupp · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 10
Logan Schiff · · Brooklyn, NY · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 60

Thanks Jason and others! Overhanging wall may have to wait a while but will definitely keep it in mind for down the road.

Robbie Mackley · · Tucson, AZ · Joined May 2010 · Points: 85

For $300 or so you should easily be able to build a moon board equipped with a standard set of school room holds. Just attach it to the block walls.

Sean Gould · · McCall, Idaho · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 20

You could go vertical now, and later add some wood volumes to get some different angles.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Bouldering
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