View source for Climbing

{{short description|Activity to ascend a steep object}}
{{about|human climbing|other uses}}
[[File:Heinz Zak, Separate Reality 5,11d, Free Solo, Yosemite-Nationalpark, Kalifornien, USA.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|A rock-climber [[Free solo|free-solo]]ing on the [[crack climbing|crack-climbing]] [[climbing route|route]] known as ''[[Separate Reality (climb)|Separate Reality]]'' ([[Grade (climbing)|5.11d]]), in [[Yosemite]], CA.]]
{{Climbing sidebar}}
'''Climbing''' is the activity of using one's hands, feet, or other parts of the body to ascend a steep topographical object that can range from the world's tallest mountains (e.g. the [[eight thousander]]s) to small [[bouldering|boulders]].<ref>{{cite web | website=[[Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary|Cambridge Dictionary]] | url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/climbing | title=Climbing | date=2024 | quote=the sport of climbing on rocks or in mountains, or on specially designed walls inside or outdoors: | accessdate=22 May 2024}}</ref> Climbing is done for locomotion, sporting recreation, for competition, and is also done in trades that rely on ascension, such as construction and military operations. Climbing is done indoors and outdoors, on natural surfaces (e.g. [[rock climbing]] and [[ice climbing]]), and on artificial surfaces (e.g. [[climbing wall]]s and [[climbing gym]]s).

==Evolution as a sport==
The sport of climbing evolved by [[List of climbers and mountaineers|climbers]] making [[first ascent]]s of new types of [[climbing route]]s, using new [[climbing technique]]s, at ever-increasing [[Grade (climbing)|grades of difficulty]], with ever-improving pieces of [[climbing equipment]]. [[Mountain guide|Guide]]s and [[climbing guidebook|guidebook]]s were an important element in [[history of rock climbing|developing the popularity]] of the sport in the natural environment.  Early pioneers included [[Walter Bonatti]], [[Riccardo Cassin]], [[Hermann Buhl]], and [[Gaston Rébuffat]], who were followed by and [[Reinhold Messner]] and [[Doug Scott]], and later by [[Mick Fowler]] and [[Marko Prezelj]], and [[Ueli Steck]].  

Since the 1980s, the development of the safer format of [[bolt (climbing)|bolted]] [[sport climbing|sport-climbing]], the wider availability of artificial climbing walls and climbing gyms, and the development of [[competition climbing]], increased the popularity of rock climbing as a sport, and led to the emergence of professional rock climbers, such as [[Wolfgang Güllich]], [[Alexander Huber]], [[Chris Sharma]], [[Adam Ondra]], [[Lynn Hill]], [[Catherine Destivelle]], and [[Janja Garnbret]].

Climbing became an [[Olympic sports|Olympic sport]] for the first time in the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo (see [[Sport climbing at the 2020 Summer Olympics]]) in that format that included [[competition lead climbing]], [[competition bouldering]], and [[competition speed climbing]] disciplines;   [[competition ice climbing]] is not yet an Olympic sport.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/from-doha-to-tokyo-onward-and-upward-for-sport-climbing|title=From Doha to Tokyo: onward and upward for sport climbing - Olympic News|date=2019-10-30|website=International Olympic Committee|language=en|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>

==Rock-based==

The sport of [[rock climbing]] can trace its [[history of rock climbing|origins to the late 19th-century]], and has since developed into several major sub-disciplines. Single-pitch and multi-pitch (and big-wall) climbing, can be performed in varying styles (including aid, sport, traditional, free solo, and top-roping), while the standalone discipline of [[bouldering]] (or boulder climbing) is, by definition, performed in a free-solo format.<ref name=FOH>{{cite book | date=October 2010 | title=[[Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills]] | edition=8th | isbn=978-1594851384 | publisher=Quiller Publishing | editor=Ronald C. Eng | chapter=Chapter 12: Leading in Rock | pages=255–276}}</ref><ref name=HTRC13>{{cite book | title=How to Rock Climb | isbn=978-1493056262 | edition=6th | first1=John | last1=Long | first2=Bob | last2=Gaines | author-link=John Long (climber) | publisher=[[Globe Pequot Press|Falcon Guides]] | date=August 2022|pages=335–369 | chapter=Chapter 13: Multi-pitch climbing}}</ref>

* [[Pitch (climbing)|Single pitch climbing]] means ascending climbs that are a single rope-length (up to 50-metres) while [[multi-pitch climbing]] (and [[big wall climbing]]) means ascending [[climbing route|routes]] that are many rope-lengths (even up to 1,000-metres). These two rock climbing sub-disciplines can be conducted in one of several ways:<ref name=FOH/><ref name=HTRC13/>

:* [[Aid climbing]] is a form of rock climbing that uses artificial aids such as [[aider]]s, [[piton]]s, and other mechanical devices to assist in ascending a route.  Much of rock climbing began as aid climbing, and even by the 1970s, many big wall routes required aid (e.g. ''[[The Nose (El Capitan)|The Nose]]'' and the ''[[Salathé Wall]]'').<ref name=MFOH15>{{cite book | date=2018 | title=[[Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills]] | edition=9th | isbn=978-1846892622 | publisher=Quiller Publishing | author=[[The Mountaineers (club)|The Mountaineers]] |chapter=Chapter 15. Aid and Big Wall Climbing | pages=276–317}}</ref>

:* [[Sport climbing]] is a form of rock climbing that uses no artificial aids (which is known as [[free climbing]]), but does rely on permanent fixed [[bolt (climbing)|bolt]]s (or [[piton]]s), for use as [[protection (climbing)|protection]] while climbing (but not as aid); was started in the 1980s in France and now makes up the world's [[List of grade milestones in rock climbing|hardest]] climbs (e.g.  ''[[Silence (climb)|Silence]]'').<ref name=SC>{{cite book|title=Sport Climbing: From Toprope to Redpoint, Techniques for Climbing Success|author=Andrew Bisharat|date=6 October 2009|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MI8TCgAAQBAJ&q=climbing+deadpoint+dyno&pg=PT73 | publisher=[[Mountaineers Books]] | isbn=978-1594852701|accessdate=23 August 2023 | chapter= Chapter 1: Ethics, Style and Emergence of Sport Climbing}}</ref><ref name=HTRC11>{{cite book | title=How to Rock Climb | isbn=978-1493056262 | edition=6th | pages=291–310 | chapter=Chapter 11: Sport Climbing | first1=John | last1=Long | first2=Bob | last2=Gaines | author-link=John Long (climber) | publisher=[[Globe Pequot Press|Falcon Guides]] | date=August 2022}}</ref>

:* [[Traditional climbing]] is a form of rock climbing that uses no artificial aids (and is thus free climbing) but unlike sport climbing, the climbers place removable protection such as [[Spring-loaded camming device|SCLD]]s and [[Nut (climbing)|nuts]] while ascending that are removed by the second climber; has many famous routes (e.g. ''[[Indian Face]]'', ''[[Cobra Crack]]'').<ref name=HTRC12>{{cite book | title=How to Rock Climb | isbn=978-1493056262 | edition=6th | pages=311–334 | chapter=Chapter 12: Trad Climbing | first1=John | last1=Long | first2=Bob | last2=Gaines | author-link=John Long (climber) | publisher=[[Globe Pequot Press|Falcon Guides]] | date=August 2022}}</ref>

:* [[Free solo]]ing is a form of rock climbing that uses no artificial aids (and is thus also free climbing) and where the climber uses no protection (neither sport nor traditional); thus any fall while free soloing could be fatal; [[deep-water soloing]] is a form of free soloing where a fall will result in landing into safe water. The 2017 free solo of ''[[Freerider (climb)|Freerider]]'' became the Oscar-winning film, ''[[Free Solo]]''.<ref name=CFS>{{cite web | magazine=[[Climbing (magazine)|Climbing]] | url=https://www.climbing.com/people/free-solo-rock-climbing-alex-honnold-history/ | title=Free Solo Rock Climbing and the Climbers Who Have Defined the Sport | first=Alison | last=Osius | date=4 June 2022 | accessdate=26 November 2022}}</ref>

:* [[Top rope climbing]] is a form of rock climbing that uses no artificial aids but as the sole form of protection, uses a pre-fixed rope secured to the top of the route (i.e. is used on single-pitches), and thus should the climber fall, they simply hang off the rope with no risk of any injury; it is not regarded as free climbing but is a popular and safe way to introduce people to free climbing (and common on [[climbing wall]]s).<ref name=HTRC10>{{cite book | title=How to Rock Climb | isbn=978-1493056262 | edition=6th | first1=John | last1=Long | first2=Bob | last2=Gaines | author-link=John Long (climber) | publisher=[[Globe Pequot Press|Falcon Guides]] | date=August 2022 | chapter=Chapter 9: Top roping | pages=235–258}}</ref>

* [[Bouldering]]: means ascending boulders or small outcrops with no artificial aids (free climbing) and due to the lower height, with no protection (making bouldering a form of free soloing); very tall boulders where a fall could be serious (i.e. up to 10-metres) are known as [[Bouldering#Highball bouldering|highball bouldering]]. Many [[List of grade milestones in rock climbing#Solved by men|milestones]] in bouldering (e.g. ''[[Midnight Lightning (climb)|Midnight Lightning]]'', ''[[Dreamtime (climb)|Dreamtime]]'' and ''[[Burden of Dreams (climb)|Burden of Dreams]]'') were created by practitioners of bouldering and free climbing.

==Mountain-based==

[[Mountaineering]] as a form of recreation can trace its [[Mountaineering#History|origins]] to an even earlier time than rock climbing, and by the mid 18th century mountaineering in alpine environmnets has become as established pastime.  It has since developed into several major sub-disciplines, including:<ref name=FOH/>
* [[Mountaineering]]: Ascending mountains, which can involve some rock or ice climbing, but unlike [[alpine climbing]] can involve [[expedition style|support]] and [[fixed rope]]s. 

:* [[Alpine climbing]]: Ascending large routes that require rock, ice, and mixed climbing skills but with minimal equipment and no outside support.<ref name=CL2>{{cite web | magazine=[[Climbing (magazine)|Climbing]] | date=16 August 2016 | accessdate=4 May 2023 | url=https://www.climbing.com/people/state-of-the-heart-the-evolution-of-alpinism/ | title=State of the Heart: The Evolution of Alpinism | first=Jens | last=Holsten}}</ref> 
:* [[Scrambling]]: Climbing rocky faces and ridges, which can include basic rock climbing, but is considered part of [[hillwalking]].
:* [[Via ferrata]]: Ascending mountain routes using previously installed fixed steel cables, metal rungs, and ladders for protection and aid.

* [[Ice climbing]]: Ascending frozen water ice or hard alpine snow using equipment such as [[ice axe]]s and [[crampon]]s; usually in mountain settings.<ref name=WG>{{cite book | title=Ice & Mixed Climbing: Improve Technique, Safety, and Performance | date=2021 | publisher=Mountaineers Books | edition=2nd | isbn=978-1680511260 | first=Will | last=Gadd | author-link=Will Gadd}}</ref>
:* [[Mixed climbing]]: Ascending routes using ice climbing equipment where there is both rock and ice (called [[dry-tooling]] if there is no ice).<ref name=WG/>

* [[Solo climbing]]: Ascending routes alone; can involve ropes ([[roped solo climbing]]) and artificial aid; where no protection or aid is used, it is free soloing.

==Competition-based==

[[Competition climbing]] (sometimes confusingly called "sport climbing"), is a regulated sport of 'competitive rock climbing' that originated in the 1980s, and which is done as [[indoor climbing]] on artificial [[climbing wall]]s. The [[International Federation of Sport Climbing|IFSC]] is the governing body for competition rock-climbing worldwide and is recognized by the [[IOC]] and the [[GAISF]], and is a member of the International World Games Association ([[IWGA]]). Competition climbing has three parts:<ref name=GR1>{{cite web | magazine=Gripped Magazine | url=https://gripped.com/events/a-history-of-climbing-competitions-since-1985/ | title=A History of Climbing Competitions Since 1985 | date=15 July 2019 | accessdate=24 February 2023}}</ref><ref name=IC>{{cite book | title=The Indoor Climbing Manual | first=John | last=White | chapter=Chapter 12: Competition Climbing | pages=166–173 | publisher=Bloomsbury Sport | isbn=978-1408186626 | date=2014}}</ref><ref name=BMC1>{{cite web | website=[[British Mountaineering Council]] | url=https://www.thebmc.co.uk/a-brief-history-of-competition-climbing | first=Toby | last=Dunne | date=17 August 2021 | accessdate=20 December 2022 | title=A brief history of competition climbing}}</ref>

* [[Competition lead climbing]] is a form of competitive [[lead climbing]] performed on an artificial bolted [[sport climbing]] route.
* [[Competition bouldering]] is a form of competitive [[bouldering]] performed on a selection of artificial bouldering routes.
* [[Competition speed climbing]] is a form of competitive [[speed climbing]] performed on a standardized artificial wall with a [[top rope]].

[[Competition ice climbing]] is a regulated sport of 'competitive ice climbing' that originated in the early 2000s, and which is done on outdoor or indoor climbing on artificial ice climbing walls that consist of ice and dry surfaces. The [[UIAA]] is the governing body for competition ice climbing worldwide and their events include a lead ice climbing discipline and a speed ice climbing discipline.  Competition ice climbing is not as yet an Olympic Sport.<ref name=UIAA>{{cite web | website=[[International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation]] | title=A Brief History | url=https://iceclimbing.sport/about/ | accessdate=6 May 2023}}</ref><ref name=OUT1>{{cite web | magazine=[[Outside (magazine)|Outside]] | url=https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/ice-climbing-competitive/ | title=The Strange Underworld of Competition Ice Climbing | first=Corey | last=Buhay | date=10 March 2020 | accessdate=5 May 2023}}</ref>

==Other recreational-based==

* [[Buildering]]: Ascending the exterior skeletons of buildings, typically without protective equipment (e.g. as free solo climbing by [[Alain Robert]]).
* [[Canyoneering]]: Climbing along [[canyons]] for sport or recreation.
* [[Crane climbing]]: An illicit act of climbing up [[Crane (machine)|mechanical cranes]], which is a form of buildering.
* [[Grass climbing]]: An older form of climbing when climbing steep but grassy mountainsides, often requiring ropes, was undertaken.
* [[Mallakhamba]]: A traditional Indian sport that combines climbing a pole or rope with the performance of aerial [[yoga as exercise|yoga]] and gymnastics.
* [[Parkour]]: A sport based around smooth movement, including climbing, around urban landscapes.
* [[Pole climbing]]: Climbing poles and masts without equipment.
* [[Rope climbing]]: Climbing a short, thick rope for speed; not to be confused with ''roped climbing'', as used in rock or ice climbing.
* [[Stair climbing]]: ascending elevation via stairs.  
* [[Tree climbing]]: Recreationally ascending trees using ropes and other protective equipment.

==Commercial-based==

* [[Rope access]]: Industrial climbing, usually [[abseiling]], as an alternative to [[scaffolding]] for short works on exposed structures.
* A [[tower climber]] is a professional who climbs broadcasting or [[telecommunication tower]]s or masts for maintenance or repair.

==Climbing and health==
[[Therapeutic climbing]] refers to the structured use of climbing for mental and physical health benefits. It integrates psychotherapeutic principles such as goal setting, emotion regulation, and self-efficacy building into climbing sessions.<ref name="Frühauf2021">{{cite journal |last1=Frühauf |first1=A. |last2=Heußner |first2=J. |last3=Niedermeier |first3=M. |last4=Kopp |first4=M. |year=2021 |title=Expert Views on Therapeutic Climbing—A Multi-Perspective, Qualitative Study |journal=International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |volume=18 |issue=7 |page=3535 |doi=10.3390/ijerph18073535 |pmid=33805430 |doi-access=free |pmc=8036516 }}</ref>

== International organizations and governing bodies ==

* The [[International Federation of Sport Climbing]] (IFSC) serves as the official governing body for [[competition climbing]] worldwide. It is recognized by the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) and the [[Global Association of International Sports Federations]] (GAISF) and oversees and regulates competitive climbing events in the disciplines of [[lead climbing]], [[bouldering]], and [[speed climbing]].<ref name=BMC1/>

* The [[International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation]] (UIAA) is a long-standing body for mountaineering and [[climbing equipment]], and which also oversees [[competition ice climbing]], where it sets standards and guidelines for ice climbing events and promotes the sport's development.<ref>{{cite web | title=80 years of UIAA, looking back and looking forward | date=20 December 2012 | accessdate=19 March 2025 | first=Claude | last=Eckhardt | url=https://www.theuiaa.org/80-years-of-uiaa-looking-back-and-looking-forward-by-claude-eckhardt/ | publisher=[[UIAA]]}}</ref>

==In film==
{{main|Mountain film}}
Climbing has been the subject of both narrative and documentary films. Notable climbing films include ''[[Touching the Void (film)|Touching the Void]]'' (2003), ''[[Everest (2015 film)|Everest]]'' (2015), ''[[Meru (film)|Meru]]'' (2015), ''[[The Dawn Wall]]'' (2015), ''[[Free Solo]]'' (2018), ''[[14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible]]'' (2021), and ''[[The Alpinist]]'' (2021). The [[Reel Rock Film Tour]] is a traveling film festival that exclusively screens climbing and adventure films, and includes the ''Reel Rock'' climbing film series.<ref>{{cite web | magazine=[[Outside (magazine)|Outside]] | url=https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/books-media/best-climbing-mountaineering-films-of-all-time/?scope=anon | title=The 20 Best Climbing Films of All Time | first=Andrew | last=Bisharat | date=6 September 2022 | accessdate=28 September 2023}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:Robi-Bosh-Alain-Robert.jpg|[[Free solo climbing]] in the [[Verdon Gorge]]
File:Midnight Lightning yosemite.jpg|[[Bouldering]] on ''[[Midnight Lightning (bouldering)|Midnight Lightning]]'' in [[Yosemite]]
File:Crack climbing in Indian Creek, Utah.jpg|[[Traditional climbing]] on a [[crack climbing|crack]] in [[Indian Creek (climbing area)|Indian Creek]]
File:Ainhize Belar eskalatzen.jpg |[[Sport climbing]] on a [[bolt (climbing)|bolted]] route in Spain
File:Craig DeMartino on Zodiac on El Capitan.jpg |[[Big wall climbing]] on ''Zodiac'' on [[El Capitan]]
File:Climbing World Championships 2018 Lead Final Schubert 08.jpg|[[Competition climbing]] at the [[2018 IFSC Climbing World Championships|2018 World Finals]]
File:Herbert Hellmuth Summit on mt. Manaslu.jpg|[[Mountaineering]] on the summit ridge of the [[eight-thousander]], [[Manaslu]]
File:Hinterstoisserquergang.JPG|[[Alpine climbing]] on the [[Great north faces of the Alps|north face]] of the [[Eiger]]
File:Xaver Bongard in der Breitwangflue.jpg |[[Ice climbing]] on ''Crack Baby'' in Switzerland
File:Piratescove.jpg|[[Mixed climbing]] in [[Glenwood Canyon|Glenwood, Colorado]]
File:Buildering On Doran Bridge.jpg |[[Buildering]] on the [[Doran Memorial Bridge]]

</gallery>

==See also==
{{Commons cat|Climbing}}
* [[List of climbers and mountaineers]]
* [[Glossary of climbing terms]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Further reading===
*{{cite book | date=2023 | title=Climbing Guiding Manual| publisher=[[Association of Canadian Mountain Guides]] | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3OnLEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22sling%22+%22runner%22+%22cord%22+%22climbing%22&pg=PA16 | accessdate=10 September 2023}}
*{{cite book | title=How to Rock Climb | isbn=978-1493056262 | edition=6th | first1=John | last1=Long | first2=Bob | last2=Gaines | author-link=John Long (climber) | publisher=[[Globe Pequot Press|Falcon Guides]] | date=August 2022}}
*{{cite book | date=2018 | title=[[Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills]] | edition=9th | isbn=978-1846892622 | publisher=Quiller Publishing | author=[[The Mountaineers (club)|The Mountaineers]]}}

== External links ==
{{Wiktionary}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20210327100131/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/rock-climbing Rock climbing: from ancient practice to Olympic sport], ''[[National Geographic]]'' (March 2019)
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z2vf39q/revision/1 Rock climbing - history & factfile], ''[[BBC]]'' (2022)
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