Bouldering in Bolivia is a relatively new discipline, only 3 years old, but is practiced with dedication and this can be proven by the evolution of this sport in our country. These fanatics are showing that Bolivia has beautiful splendorous places for sports. It could be said we have an ocean of rocks in our front waiting for us to dive.
After the arrival of some foreign boulderers, all of a sudden an authentic revolution arose motivated by the boulders. Although some years ago, a couple of Bolivian climbers made small incursions in this field of rock climbing, manufacturing crash pads and using their climbing trips to do some small blocks, it wasn´t until two years ago, with the arrival of Tony Lamiche, Lionel Daudet and Stephen Denys, that some of us, Juanga and myself implemented bouldering in its true spirit.
From then onwards we started working and doing excusive bouldering trips. Travelling through many miles into the territory. We found that we had unexploited gold veins and that it was the perfect moment to start mining this vein, the magnificent zones Bolivia has to offer.
All of the above is reflected in an interview performed by Eider to the great sportsman, Tony Lamiche.
Outtake from The Gravical interview:
" ... Eider's directors have offered to buy us a house where all the team would live together so as to reinforce the team's spirit. Where would you live and why?
Tony Lamiche: In Bolivia, so I could do as much bouldering as possible in the El Dorado of modern rock-climbing. And that way I'd have heaps of friends to enable me to discover new techniques…"
Valle de las rocas
Chalcupunko valley
For the moment, we have not opened many routes or left blueprints or maps, this will be the next big step.
The good thing about Bolivia is that, to do bouldering activities you always have to travel through remote uninhabited regions, which makes it more interesting. Presently one of the best places is the Valley of the Rocks, located 3 hours away from Uyuni and 10 kms away from Villa Alota. This is a 5 km canyon with infinite problems and rocks, which would take a lifetime to solve. It is also important to say that most of the areas are located at 4000 meters above sea level. In this same geographical location in the country there are many unexplored zones with great potential. That is the case of Villa Mar, which also has many any rocks perfect for bouldering which have not yet been touched. In the OruroDepartment, more precisely on the road from La Paz to Arica, there are many valleys, perfect for bouldering, still unexplored.
In our incessant search for new projects, we recently arrived into a place Chalcupunko, a valley located in the La Paz-Arica road, which, like the others, presents its own style: volcanic sands for different types of climbings.
More about Bolivian bouldering soon on Globalbouldering!
By Daniel Aramyo
Photos Juan Gabriel Estellano
