In the sport of bouldering, some bouldering problems are called “highball – A very high boulder problem, often with a hard landing.” What this means in practice is that after a certain height it doesn’t matter how many bouldering crash pads you bring, your landing is going to hurt you. Bouldering has a built-in advantage and appeal for the young and thrifty.

Another joke about the sport is, bouldering books show the routes up, but then they usually recommend downclimbing — as if that was the easier part. Most climbing injuries happen on the descent.

At the rock gym and out at the crags, I’m amazed at how polarized the sport tends to be; a majority of the people who rope up don’t boulder. And of course the bouldering crowd tends to boulder strictly as well, since it’s about acting cool in skimpy clothing and not being burdened by a harness or rope.

It’s good that it’s being considered for the Olympics; now gymnasts will have a competition where they can look less gay.