If you are looking for some adventure along with physical challenges， you may want to give “bouldering” a try. This activity involves free climbing on small rock formations or artificial rock walls. Bouldering， which literally means climbing on boulders， doesn’t need ropes or harnesses that are necessary for rock climbing. Bouldering only requires a minimal amount of equipment such as climbing shoes， some chalk， and safety mats. A bouldering wall is no higher than five meters， so bouldering can be done both indoors and outdoors. What’s more， climbers are challenged to solve problems by using their strength， technique， and balance to ascend rocks.

如果你正尋找某種冒險及體能挑戰(zhàn)，你可以試試看“抱石”。這項活動包含在小石頭結(jié)構(gòu)上或人造石墻上自由攀登。抱石，字面上是指攀爬巨石，并不需要攀巖所必須使用的繩索或背帶。抱石只需要最少量的裝備，像是攀巖鞋、滑石粉和安全墊。抱石墻不會高于五米，因此抱石可于室內(nèi)或室外進行。此外，攀登者面臨的挑戰(zhàn)，是利用他們的體能、技巧和平衡感攀登巖石來解決問題。

Bouldering has different scales to measure the difficulty of climbs. One of the most common is the V-scale， where climbs are rated from the easiest V0 up to V17. The Fontainebleau scale uses numbers from 1 to 9. However， there are also subdivisions featuring letters， such as 7a or 8b. The scale levels are divided according to the steepness， length， shape， and texture of the rock. Other factors include the type and size of the holds， the distance between them， and the complexity of the moves.

抱石有不同的等級來衡量攀登的難度。其中最常見的是V系統(tǒng)。這個系統(tǒng)的攀登難度評級從最簡單的V0一路至V17。楓丹白露難度系統(tǒng)使用數(shù)字1到9，然而此系統(tǒng)還以字母作為分支，如7a或8b。每個等級是根據(jù)石頭的陡峭度、長度、形狀和質(zhì)地來區(qū)分。其他因素還包括握把的形狀和大小、握把間距以及移動的復(fù)雜程度。

Various aspects of climbing are a focus in bouldering. Climbers need to consider such problems as faces， slabs， overhangs and traverses while climbing. While some climbs may require delicate footwork and technical skill， as well as strength and power. At the higher end of difficulty scales， all of these abilities are needed.

抱石著重攀登的不同層面。攀登者在攀登時得考慮垂直墻、內(nèi)傾、外傾、橫渡路線和攀登路線等問題。有些攀爬可能需要細膩的腳法和專業(yè)的技巧，還需要體能和力量。攀爬難度等級較高的級別時，所有這些能力都是必需的。

The best thing about bouldering is that it benefits people’s physical and mental health. Because it involves intense activity first and is followed by rest periods， it offers both cardio workouts and strength training. It can also boost self-confidence and even has cognitive benefits since it requires problem-solving abilities and deep concentration. Bouldering is a fun way to let off steam.

玩抱石最棒的便是它有益身心健康。由于抱石先是劇烈活動，然后再休息一段時間，所以提供了有氧鍛煉和體能訓(xùn)練。抱石還能增強自信心，甚至還有認知方面的益處，因為抱石需要解決問題的能力以及保持深度專注。抱石是一種釋放精力的有趣方式。

Word Bank

ascend /?'send/ v. 上升；升高；登高

Her heart was thumping as she ascended the stairs.

subdivision /'s?bd?v??n/ n. 進一步分成的部分；分支；分部

concentration /'k?nsn'tre??n/ n. 專心；專注

This book requires a great deal of concentration.