Can We Develop New Outdoor Boulders Without Harming the Environment

It all started with a conversation I had with a friend about developing boulders. Near our national forest, there aren’t a whole lot of established lines, but there are plenty of granite blobs. However, since we’re both nature lovers, the last thing we want is to turn a quiet patch of wilderness into a mess. As a result, the main questions that came up were:

• Can we develop new boulders without harming the environment?
• And if yes, what would be the dos and the don’ts?
• How do you build a landing zone without destroying the local flora and fauna?
• What are the proper brushes to clean the boulders, etc?

In this guide, you’ll find the answers to all that, and more.

Why develop boulders in the first place?

Any climber and climbing lover will feel, at some point in their lives, that they want to give back to the community. Some end up making a living out of climbing by becoming climbing coaches or by opening a climbing gym. Others start bolting lines or opening new bouldering areas.

Here are the main advantages of developing new outdoor boulders:

1. It contributes to the climbing history by developing the climbing scene in a specific area.
2. It offers new challenges and experiences to the bouldering community.
3. It redirects attention away from the more popular spots and minimizes rock wear by distributing climbers more evenly.

How to develop new outdoor boulders without harming the environment

How far does our freedom go? And how does our sense of freedom impact others? Some people think that nature is for all of us, while others are convinced that it is wrong to interfere with a single piece of moss. How do we find the balance?

Believe it or not, it took me a while to think about what was behind a boulder problem or a sports route I was climbing on.

It wasn’t until I started hanging out with a Romanian friend who is passionate about opening new outdoor boulders that I realised the implications.

Let’s check out the many details one should consider before developing new outdoor boulders.

Never stop exploring – no hike, no boulder

Those who open boulders are also those who enjoy hiking and exploring. So keep in mind you have to be willing to walk, bike, or/and use your car.

Winter is the best season to discover bouldering gold because trees without leaves make it easy for you to spot the goodies.

Research and ask for a second opinion

So, you’ve found some blobs worth cleaning? It’s time for the rock climbing bureaucracy.

Check land ownership: Is the land public or private? Do you need permission?

Talk to locals to find out the local rules and if there’s already an established climbing scene, connect with local climbers to make sure someone hasn’t already made plans for your freshly discovered boulders.

Only open boulder problems with good rock quality to avoid accidents, and make sure it’s worth doing all the work. Consult with other climbers and always ask for a second opinion.

Watch the video this is how to create a boulder outside:

Be gentle with your approach

In damp UK conditions, be extra careful not to damage fragile gritstone, sandstone, or mossy granite. Gritstone is especially delicate. Brushing too hard or climbing when wet can cause permanent damage.

• Stick to footpaths as much as possible and avoid creating new trails if not needed.
• Leave the wire brush in your bag unless you’ve got no other option. If you do need one, use copper, not steel, otherwise you’ll trash the rock.
• For most cleaning, a stiff natural bristle brush does the job, such as a potato scrubbing brush or a good horse brush. Use softer brushes for shifting dirt and sand, and save the stiffer ones for stubborn moss.
• Focus only on the holds; don’t strip lichen or moss unless essential to the problem.

Watch Greem Mossy thing 6b here:

Build discrete landing zones, not landscaping

Safe landings are important, but nature comes first. Don’t dig out the ground or remove large rocks unless necessary.

Where vegetation is present, find a workaround by placing pads, not ripping it out.

Watch how to build a bouldering terrace here:

Respect the rock, and keep the ethics

Avoid removing rooted plants or deep moss from cracks and tops – these are often part of sensitive ecosystems. The best lines often reveal themselves slowly.

No chipping or gluing – if you don’t have the right vision for it, don’t force it.

The 7 Leave No Trace key principles in bouldering

Through bouldering and climbing, I got to discover some incredibly stunning places in Europe. This made me reflect on how fragile some of those places are and about the impact we climbers have, so much bigger than we realise.

That’s why it’s important to start reflecting more about preserving the places where we love to spend our free time and climb – both for future climbers but also for the environment itself.

After all, it’s a form of respect we owe to all the surrounding beauty.

1. Plan your climbing trip ahead and prepare

Climbing areas can be shut down due to environmental damage, conflict with landowners, or disrespect for local rules. That’s why visiting new places for climbing should also include getting to know the local rules, access issues, and maybe even seasonal closures (especially for nesting birds or sensitive wildlife).

Consider carpooling, as it is not only good for your pocket but also for the planet, limits road erosion, and saves space.

Try to remember that bouldering is not just about knowing the problems you’re about to try but it also comes with the possibility to respect the space we’re climbing in.

2. Preserves the natural environment

Most of us got a camper van because we prefer being alone in the wild. So we tend to seek a parking spot that’s just for us, ignoring the fact that this behaviour is specifically what contributes to the degradation of natural environments.

I’m sure that if you did some traveling for climbing, you noticed by now how dirty bouldering areas and climbing can be, not to mention parking lots full of toilet paper. With climbing popularity on the rise, I feel it’s time to adapt to new rules and stick to established trails and avoid trampling plants or fragile ground near boulders.

So we can all enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings. 🙂

And while chalk helps you stick the move, try to use it mindfully and brush off your tick marks when you’re done.

No one likes showing up to a boulder that looks like it’s been attacked by white powder.

3. If you bring it in, you pack it out – dispose of waste properly

Besides the human stuff, trash also means bits of tape, used chalk balls, and banana peels. Whatever you bring in, pack it out. And if you’re in a remote area, bring a wag bag or learn how to dig a proper cat hole.

4. Respect nature and leave it the way you found it

We all interact with the rock in different ways – clearing landings, setting routes, brushing holds. Just be mindful of the natural vibe of the place.

Don’t chip or glue holds, and avoid moving rocks or altering the terrain unless it was agreed upon in local maintenance.

5. Avoid and minimise campfire impact

Fires aren’t great near dry vegetation therefore, most climbing areas don’t allow campfires because of the risk of wildfires.

Use a stove for cooking, and keep your setup low-impact.

6. Respect wildlife

Keep an eye out for posted signs or info about nesting season, parking along roads that don’t have capacity or other useful information about the local rules. Not once have land managers closed areas indefinitely because of overuse and erosion or disrespect for the wildlife.

Helping to protect the natural balance also keeps climbing areas open for all of us.

7. Be considerate of everybody

Even if they’re not climbers! Whether it’s hikers, birdwatchers, or other climbers waiting for a go, be respectful. Share the space, save the music for when you get home, and don’t monopolise the classic routes just because you have a day project.

Nature is for all of us, and a little kindness goes a long way out there.

So, can we develop new outdoor boulders without harming the environment?

Yeah, we can! By staying aware of the natural environment and showing respect to it, we’ll manage to develop bouldering while staying respectful to the sport we love.

Bouldering has more practitioners than ever before, which makes it even more important than before to follow a practical guide for ethical and sustainable bouldering development.

We know – It’s easy to get excited when you stumble across a beautiful, dreamy line-up of a gritstone boulder. But developing lines isn’t just about putting your mark on a piece of rock, cleaning a few holds, and giving it a name.

It’s also about stewardship and responsibility for the generations to come.

Last but not least, take your time to stay kind and never stop exploring.

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