Climbing is an adaptable extreme sport. Because of its flexibility, it can be found in a number of different applications:

• Rock climbing – which includes climbing on steep rocky terrain.

• Mountaineering - climbing on mountains.

• Ice climbing - climbing on frozen water features.

• Mixed climbing - climbing on both frozen water features (as in ice climbing), as well as rocky terrain.

• Bouldering - consists of solo climbing on boulders.

• Stack climbing - climbing sea stacks: near vertical columns of rock in the sea, near coasts.

• Indoor climbing - climbing on artificial climbing walls.

• Recreational tree climbing - climbing on trees.

Different techniques are also employed in certain types of climbing:

By method of ascent:

• In aid climbing, all means of ascent are used - from pulling on gear to climbing rope ladders attached to drilled bolts.

• In free climbing, climbers use only their hands, feet and other body parts to progress upward. Ropes and other gear are only used for protection.

By type of protection:

• In traditional climbing (commonly referred to as "trad climbing"), the leader places all protection. The climbing system is used to protect climbers against the consequences of a fall.

• Sport climbing is climbing on routes that are protected mostly or entirely by bolts already drilled into the rock.

• Top-rope climbing uses a rope passed through an anchor at the top of the climb.

• Solo climbing is climbing without a partner. It can be done with a rope for protection ("roped solo") or without any form of protection at all ("free-soloing"). Deep-water soloing relies on water at the base of the climb to protect against injury.

• Bouldering relies on a partner (a "spotter") and a bouldering mat to avoid injury.

Climbing competitions are popular and are usually held indoors on climbing walls, where competitors ascend the wall against the clock. Climbers grade the difficulty of the routes they climb. The grading system used varies from country to country (and region), and according to the style and level of competence of the climber. Fancy a go? Just use the Your Leisure Time Quick Search to find climbing and mountaineering schools in the UK.

Climbing Contacts

The BMC British Mountaineering Council is the representative body that exists to protect the freedoms and promote the interests of climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers

Mountaineering Council of Scotland: The representative body for climbers, walkers, mountaineers and cross-country skiers who enjoy the Scottish mountains

The Helly Hansen National Mountaineering Exhibition: at Rheged Cumbria, history of British Mountaineering