| There are several different kinds of rock climbing | | | | of rock climbing, where climbers go up in pairs and |
| that people engage in for sport. Rock climbing first | | | | the lead (or topmost climber) is attached to the |
| began to be recognized as a sport when it was | | | | lower climber, or second, by a length of rope. |
| independently developed from the rock climbing | | | | Whoever is lowest at the moment is the second, |
| techniques of Victorian era mountaineering in the | | | | and is in charge of belaying the rope, keeping the |
| late eighteen hundreds. Over the years since then, | | | | belaying system secured attached to the rock, |
| a lot of specialized safety equipment and proven | | | | and stopping the rope to keep the other climber |
| techniques for staying safe and making a secure, | | | | from harm in case of a fall. While lead climbing, |
| controlled ascent have been developed. However, | | | | safety devices will usually be left on the mountain |
| the sport of rock climbing can still be split into two | | | | at regular intervals. For traditional lead climbing, |
| major divisions: free climbing and aid climbing. Free | | | | these safety devices installed by the lead climber, |
| climbing uses only the natural features of the rock | | | | will usually be removed by the second during the |
| face being climbed, and is significantly more | | | | ascent. This leaves the climbing surface close to |
| dangerous than climbing with the assistance of | | | | the way in which it was found, and leaves the |
| safety gear. | | | | same level of challenge and enjoyment for future |
| Even when safety gear is being used, however, | | | | climbers. |
| many climbers try to follow the ethic that their | | | | Top rope climbing is a variant on the two person |
| climbing activities should not damage or change | | | | climbing system where the one in charge of |
| the surface of the rock face any more than is | | | | belaying the rope and keeping the system secure |
| absolutely necessary. For some kinds of short | | | | is at the top. The person at the top will place an |
| distance rock climbing, such as bouldering, purists | | | | anchor and help to hold the rope steady while the |
| believe in free climbing assisted by some kind of | | | | other climber makes his or her way upwards. |
| pad on the ground to catch them if they fall. This | | | | Not all rock climbing takes place outdoors ' indoor |
| allows them to climb without leaving marks in the | | | | rock climbing is increasingly popular and is the way |
| rock. Cams are also a good way to climb without | | | | that many people start to get involved in the |
| leaving too much of a mark on the surface, while | | | | sport. Rock climbing walls with regular handholds |
| driving spikes into the rock to use as handholds | | | | can be built inside of a building to teach people |
| and places to tie rope lines is one of the more | | | | climbing techniques and this style of climbing with |
| invasive ways of climbing. | | | | holds on a wall is also sometimes used in sporting |
| Lead climbing is one of the most common types | | | | competitions and is a lot of fun in its own right. |