Here are listed top sites about Rock Climbing: Types of Climbing: Rock climbing is climbing on steep rocky terrain. Mountaineering is climbing on mountains. Ice climbing is climbing on frozen water features. Mixed climbing is climbing on both frozen water features, as in ice climbing, as well as rocky terrain. Bouldering is solo climbing on boulders and low rock walls. Stack climbing is climbing sea stacks: near vertical columns of rock in the sea, near coasts. Buildering (pun on bouldering) is climbing on the outside of buildings. Indoor climbing is climbing on artificial climbing walls. Artificial climbing tower is a wooden, plastic, or steel climbing wall used outdoors. Recreational tree climbing is climbing on trees. Professional tree climbing is climbing on trees for the purpose of hardware installation, pruning, or removal. Rope climbing is the timed vertical ascent of a suspended rope using only the climber's hands. 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 (called anchors). In free climbing, climbers use only their hands, feet and other body parts to make progress. 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 the climber against the consequences of a fall. Sport climbing is climbing on routes that are protected mostly or entirely by bolts drilled into the rock. Sport climbing is usually the type of climbing used in competitions. 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"). It is very dangerous and very few people try it. 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.