Backyard Bouldering Comps

During the summer of 2008, a small group of home gym owners (Dan Blake, Casey Cristofferson, Adam Page, and Mike Slavens) decided to start a small bouldering series in Michigan: The Backyard Bouldering Series. They created the series for three reasons:

#1- They wanted to stay motivation during the warm, muggy summer months in Michigan.

#2- They enjoyed climbing comps, but also enjoyed home wall sessions with friends.

#3- They liked to win something for their efforts in comps.

The Backyard Bouldering Series is now entering its 2nd season. Backyard Bouldering Comps feel like a regular bouldering session with friends and participants potentially walk away with cash/gear prizes.

The basic setup is an altered redpoint format with problems ranging from V0 to V9/10.  The point value of each problem is unknown to competitors. Competitors have to "figure out" which problems are the hardest/easiest ones to do. This requires some route reading skills and encourages people to share beta. It also gets people to try routes that they normally wouldn't touch because they think they are too hard or too easy to make it worth their time. People simply climb the routes they are psyched about.

This year the Backyard Bouldering Series added a free-standing boulder, built by Mike Slavens, that travels to each comp. This has added a new element to the "backyard" feel and has been a huge hit.

At each comp, some type of meal provided by the host: everything from grilled burgers to tacos to brats.  People can try their luck on the slackline, arm wrestle, talk with new friends, play basketball, or just enjoy some down time while the results are being tallied. 

This year's Backyard Bouldering sponsors are: Mike's All-American Painting, Page Woodworking, Joshua Tree, So iLL, Rock Candy, Detroit Rock Climbing Company, Klime Clothing, Higher Ground, Climb Kalamazoo, and Planet Rock. For more updates or details about the three remaining comps of the season, check out Backyard Bouldering's website at www.backyardclimber.com.  If you have interest in being a sponsor or hosting a comp, send them a message on their Facebook Page.