Solo climbing
Encyclopedia
Solo climbing or soloing is a style of climbing
in which the climber climbs alone, without somebody belaying
him. There are three ways to climb solo:
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
in which the climber climbs alone, without somebody belaying
Belaying
thumb|200px|right|A belayer is belaying behind a lead climberBelaying refers to a variety of techniques used in climbing to exert friction on a climbing rope so that a falling climber does not fall very far...
him. There are three ways to climb solo:
- Roped solo climbingRoped solo climbingRoped solo climbing or rope soloing is a way to climb with relative safety without a climbing partner.- Variations :*Roped solo free climbing refers to top roping on a fixed rope or to a traditional rope solo free climb....
:- lead climbingLead climbingLead climbing is a climbing technique used to ascend a route. This technique is predominantly used in rock climbing and involves a lead climber attaching themselves to a length of dynamic climbing rope and ascending a route while periodically attaching protection to the face of the route and...
with a self-locking deviceSelf-locking deviceSelf-locking devices are devices intended to arrest the fall of solo climbers who climb without partners. This device is used for back rope solo climbing for 'ground-up climbing' or 'top rope self belaying'. To date, several types of such self-locking devices have evolved.-Prusik sling:The earliest...
which is used to arrest a fall. One end of the rope may be anchored below the climber with the coils of rope in a bag on his back, or for single-pitch climbs the device may be secured at ground level, and the climber tied into the end of the rope. - top-roping with a self-locking device: this is a form of aid climbingAid climbingAid climbing is a style of climbing in which standing on or pulling oneself up via devices attached to fixed or placed protection is used to make upward progress....
if the climber puts his weight on the rope during the ascent.
- lead climbing
- Free solo climbingFree solo climbingFree solo climbing, also known as free soloing, is a form of free climbing where the climber forgoes ropes, harnesses and other protective gear while ascending and relies only on his or her physical strength, climbing ability, and psychological fortitude to avoid a fatal fall...
, without any rope or other forms of protectionProtection (climbing)To make climbing as safe as possible, most climbers use protection, a term used to describe the equipment used to prevent injury to themselves and others.-Types of climbing:...
. This offers a faster ascent and a free feeling of being alone on a rock face with no limits or distractions