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