What is Rock climbing?
[[File:Joshua Tree - Illusion Dweller 10.jpg|thumb|A leader [[Belaying|belays]] the second climber in [[Joshua Tree National Park]], United States.]] '''Rock climbing''' is a [[sport]] where someone uses their [[hand]]s and [[foot|feet]] to climb up a [[Rock (geology)|rock]] or an [[artificial]] climbing [[wall]]. Rock climbing is a difficult sport because you need to have a lot of [[strength]]. Rock climbers must know how to use [[rope]]s, [[carabiner]]s and [[harness]]es for their own [[safety]]. == Types of rock climbing == Because of many different kinds of rocks around the [[world]], many different kinds of climbing started. * [[Free climbing|Solo climbing]] is where the climber's own physical strength and skill are relied on to do the climb.<ref>{{cite book |title=Traditional Lead Climbing: A Rock Climber's Guide to Taking the Sharp End of the Rope |first=Heidi |last=Pesterfield |edition=2nd |publisher=Wilderness Press |year=2011 |isbn=9780899975597 |page=11}}</ref> Anchors, ropes and protection are used to back up the climber, but are only there in case of a fall and are not actively used to help the person do the climb. * [[Bouldering]] is climbing on [[short]], [[low]] walls (usually less than 5 meters tall) To boulder, one does not need to use safety equipment. Special mats are used to cushion the drop. * [[Free solo climbing]] is when a climber climbs alone, without somebody [[belaying]] them. Free soloing is climbing alone without the use of any rope or protection system whatsoever. * [[Lead climbing]] is used when the rope is not on top yet. The person must tie the rope to their [[harness]] and then climb up the wall. On the way the climber puts the rope through a [[carabiner]] every few [[metre]]s. Here the person at the bottom must use a belay device, and feed rope up to the climber. This is unlike top roping, where the belayer instead takes up rope using a belay device. * [[Top roping]] is when the rope is already [[anchor]]ed at the top of the [[route]]. Safety equipment is needed here but m