TheRockBitch

Types of Free Climbing

Posted on 5/12/2010 at 1:53:15 AM

Free climbing is one of the most hazardous and foolhardy sports known to man. Climbing without security, safety equipment is showing an absolute disregard for one's life. However, rock climbing is a great experience when it is done carefully. There is a lot of mountain climbing gear that is required. Reading this article, you will find out the different types of free climbing for you to identify what kind of climb you are going to engage in the near future. Free climbing is a kind of rock-climbing in which the climber uses only hands, feet and other parts of the body to rise. No synthetic aids are employed to make upwards progress; ropes and protection are used only as insurance against falls and their consequences.

Types of free climbing:

Bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken devoid of a rope, and limited to very short climbs over a crashpad so that a fall will not result in stern damage. It is naturally practiced on large natural boulders or artificial boulders in gyms and outdoor urban areas. However, it may also be accomplished at the base of larger rock faces, or even on buildings or public architecture.

Free solo climbing also known as free soloing, the rock-climber (the free soloist) forgoes ropes, harnesses and other shielding gear while ascending, and relies only on his or her physical strength, climbing ability, and psychological fortitude to shun a fatal fall. Free solo climbing should not be perplexed with general free climbing, in which gear is classically used for safety in case of a fall, but not to assist the climb.

Sport climbing is a mode of rock climbing that relies on undeviating anchors fixed to the rock, especially bolts, for protection, in contrast with traditional climbing, in which the rock is classically devoid of fixed anchors, and climbers must place detachable protection as they climb.

Traditional climbing, or Trad climbing is a mode of rock-climbing in which a climber or group of climbers places all gear required to protect against falls, pitons, etc., and removes it when a passage is complete.