What is Sport Climbing?

For over three decades now, sport climbing hasused to attach gear to more and more routes.
grown in popularity. Unlike leading a group up aThere are areas with bolts and areas without.
rock face, sport climbing has an individual pitThere is always debate about how much damage
themselves against the rock alone whilst aand impact bolts and other climbing paraphernalia
companion belays below. This companion will thenhave on the immediate environment. Climbers are
lower the climber down upon reaching the summitcertainly having an effect as more and more of
or end of the single pitch route. The climb willus turn to this sport. This gives us an added
already have fixed anchor points.responsibility to minimise our presence on rock
This evolved as a hang over form early climbingsurfaces as much as possible.
expeditions which used 'pitons' as climbing aids.Sport climbing allows you to try moves you
These metal stakes were not removed but left inwouldn't otherwise attempt as you know you are
the rocks. In Alpine regions, young French climbersnot going to fall - as long as your belayer is paying
in the seventies started to reuse these pitons forattention. The protection in the rock is solid and
climbing and thus sport climbing was born as oneon the whole reliable. For its practitioners it gives
person could ascend on their own while anotherfreedom of expression and the potential of
watched from below.developing strength and stamina and improving
Hand held drills and quick setting resins were lateryour all round athletic ability.