Date: May 1, 2021
Location: Leavenworth, WA
Author: Dargan Thompson
Sport: Rock Climbing
Climbing type: Bouldering
After taking a top roping class with NSM in April, I immediately went home and signed up for
more NSM classes and trips. I was eager to try outdoor bouldering, so I was excited to see a
free bouldering clinic with Mercedes Pollmeier of Modus Athletica the first weekend of May.
As it turned out, there was another NSM climbing trip in Leavenworth that weekend, and me and
my friend who I brought with me were able to get a campsite with another NSM member for
Saturday night. Both climbing groups met up at O’Grady’s Saturday morning. We stood in a big
circle in the parking lot and shared our pronouns and a little about ourselves, went over some
guidelines and things to keep in mind for inclusive language, and then split into groups to head
off to our respective climbing spots.
With Covid restrictions still in place, it was a small group, and we ranged in climbing experience.
My friend was pretty new to bouldering and had never climbed outdoors; I’d climbed in a
bouldering gym for about two years and had rope climbed outdoors, but had never bouldered
outside; and the last member of our group had a few years of experience climbing outdoors, but
hadn’t climbed in a while because of the pandemic. We peppered Mercedes with questions
throughout the day and she took it all in stride, giving us tips that matched our experience
levels.
We started at Machine Gun Boulder and Mercedes showed us how to identify routes, set up
crash pads and spot other climbers. We walked around the back side of the boulder to find the
down climb and climbed up to see what the routes looked like from the top. She also had us
practice mantling on part of the easy down climb so we would be ready to do it at the top of
routes. Then it was time to climb. We started on a V0, which was fun but still ended up being
nerve-wracking at the top! After a few attempts (and thanks to some beta tips from Mercedes
and the other members of the group), I was able to get up that route and also a V2 that had a
fun part with a crack and a heel hook.
We took a quick break for lunch and then headed to Forestland, where we tried a few routes on
a slab and then ended with a tough route that could be a V0 or V2 depending on where you
started.
Overall, it was such a fun day and a great intro to outdoor bouldering. The weather was
beautiful, so I even enjoyed taking some breaks, looking around at the mountain views and
cheering on other climbers. After we finished climbing, my friend and I went into town for dinner,
then we went back to our campsite and hung out with some of the other NSM climbing crew
around the campfire.
I’d heard that outdoor bouldering routes are much harder than in a gym, and I found that to be
true. I’d been climbing V2-3 indoors, but was struggling to top even some of the V0s outside.
But the group was so inclusive and encouraging. I got some great tips and techniques from
Mercedes that I have been putting to use in the gym. What I’ve loved about my experiences
climbing with NSM is that the groups make climbing feel so accessible. Prior to finding NSM, I
was very intimidated by the idea of climbing and bouldering outdoors. Now I’m excited to do
more of it!