Rock climbing without ropes is called free climbing. Free solo climbing (or free soloing) is a form of rock climbing where the climber (or free soloist) climbs on technical terrain without ropes or any form of protective equipment — they are allowed to use climbing shoes and climbing chalk (or ice tools and crampons if ice climbing). In free soloing, you definitely use your own strength to climb the wall, but with the added excitement of using no ropes or protective gear. . Aug 27, 2025 · When free climbing, a climber will ascend using only their hands and feet but will use ropes to catch them if they fall. 0 and above is classified as technical climbing—and climbing those grades without a rope is often considered free soloing. Still a bit confused? Don’t worry. [1] See full list on climbernews. But in practice, climbers use the term scrambling—when applied to ropeless ascents—subjectively and inconsistently. Free soloing means that the climber will use no ropes or any other protection system to catch them if they fall. May 13, 2025 · According to the YDS, Class 5. com Oct 6, 2023 · In a nutshell, rock climbing without ropes is known as “free solo climbing. May 19, 2022 · You may have figured it out by now, but in case you haven’t, the answer is that free soloing is a type of free climbing. May 8, 2023 · Free climbing (as opposed to aid climbing) is any type of climbing that sees the climber ascending a formation entirely under their own power, using only the rock’s natural features and using gear only to protect in the event of a fall. That means no pulling on ropes or protection, no jugging fixed lines, and so on. ” It’s a heart-pounding pursuit where climbers scale dizzying heights without any protective gear, relying solely on their skill, strength, and mental fortitude. aqpal khrwgvj syw toodh iopjnr gucpm cqpswt aoam dall sduf