As any climber or boulderer knows, training indoors takes up a lot of space. In 2005, competitive climber Ben Moon built the first MoonBoard to fit the confines of a small space. Since then it has received two significant upgrades, an LED kit and a mobile app.
Each MoonBoard is made from three sheets of plywood and a kicker board. It hangs at a 40-degree angle, with 140 simple brackets attached at precise angles in a grid pattern. Each hold is standardized in its location and orientation, creating a way for two climbers to connect and share problems from different locations.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Using the free Moon Climbing app for Android and iPhone users, MoonBoard climbers get access to thousands of problems to try. Users can rate an issue, create a new one, record their efforts, and create personal lists. There are currently over 7,500 problems available, with climbers like Moon himself adding more every day.
For added convenience, climbers can enjoy the MoonBoard LED kit. Instead of recording each new route, the app can be connected to the kit via Bluetooth, highlighting initial holds, trouble holds and final holds. With thousands of different problems to climb, the LED system allows for much more time on the wall.
One problem with the MoonBoard is that it’s only for advanced climbers. The lowest rating within the application is V4. In the future, this will be less of a problem. The app will soon feature a setting for a 25-degree board, allowing grades that can be achieved by an intermediate level climber.
Currently, MoonBoards are available in mostly DIY form. Branded panels cost about $1,280 and brackets cost about $606. For the LED kit, climbers can spend an additional $648. As it is, the MoonBoard needs to be mounted or fixed to the ceiling. Additionally, climbers can pick up a fully stocked, freestanding MoonBoard for $9,504.
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn