Free climbing is a form of rock climbing in which the climber may use climbing equipment such as

ropes A rope is a group of yarns, plies, fibres, or strands that are twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. Ropes have tensile strength and so can be used for dragging and lifting. Rope is thicker and stronger than similarly ...

and other means of

climbing protection Climbing protection is any of a variety of devices employed to reduce risk and protect others while climbing rock and ice. It includes such items as nylon webbing and metal nuts, cams, bolts, and pitons. Different forms of climbing draw on ...

, but only to protect against injury during falls and not to assist vertical or horizontal progress. The climber ascends or traverses by using physical ability to move over the rock via handholds, footholds, and body smears. The term ''free climbing'' is used in contrast to aid climbing, in which specific aid climbing equipment (such as mechanical ascenders) is used to assist the climber in ascent. The term ''free climbing'' originally meant "free from direct aid". Free climbing more specifically may include: *

traditional climbing Traditional climbing (or Trad climbing) is a style of rock climbing in which the climber places all the necessary protection gear required to arrest any falls as they are climbing, and then removes it when the pitch is complete (often done ...

* sport climbing *

bouldering Bouldering is a form of free climbing that is performed on small rock formations or artificial rock walls without the use of ropes or harnesses. While bouldering can be done without any equipment, most climbers use climbing shoes to help se ...

solo climbing Solo climbing, or soloing, is a style of climbing in which the climber climbs alone, without the assistance of a belayer. It is not to be confused with bouldering, a short ascent which by definition is done without the assistance of ropes, harn ...

(excluding solo aid climbing)

Common misunderstandings of the term

While clear in its contrast to aid climbing, the term ''free climbing'' is nonetheless prone to misunderstanding and misuse. The three most common errors are: * Confusing ''free climbing'' with ''

'' (or ''soloing,'') a style of climbing in which the climber climbs alone, without the assistance of a

belayer Belaying is a variety of techniques climbers use to create friction within a climbing system, particularly on a climbing rope, so that a falling climber does not fall very far. A climbing partner typically applies tension at the other end of t ...

and with or without a self-belaying system. *Confusing ''free climbing'' with ''

free soloing Free solo climbing, or free soloing, is a form of technical ice or rock climbing where the climbers (or ''free soloists'') climb alone without ropes, harnesses or other protective equipment, forcing them to rely entirely on their own individua ...

'' (a subset both of free climbing and solo climbing), which is climbing alone with just one's hands, feet, and body without any rope or protective equipment. *Confusing the term ''soloing a free climb'' with ''free soloing'', "soloing" in each case meaning merely to climb without a partner (with or without a self-belaying system in the first instance, without any protection at all in the second).

References

Bibliography

*''The French Spiderman'' (La légende de l'homme araignée), DVD, director Olivier Van'L. *.

Common misunderstandings of the term

References

Bibliography

Further reading