Rock climbing

Participants in the sport of rock climbing scale natural rock formations or manmade rock walls to climb up, across, or down the surfaces of the rocks. The objective is to climb to the very top of a formation or to the very end of a path that has been predetermined in most cases without falling. The sport of rock climbing is both physically and intellectually taxing, since it often puts a climber's strength, endurance, agility, and balance to the test, in addition to their mental composure. The ability to successfully complete routes safely requires both an understanding of correct climbing methods and the ability to employ specialised climbing equipment.

Rock climbing is an activity that involves the scaling of hills and similar formations. It is distinguished from other activities involving the scaling of hills and similar formations by the rock climber's sustained use of hands to support their body weight as well as to provide balance. Some of the different styles and sub-disciplines of rock climbing include scrambling, bouldering, sport climbing, and trad (traditional) climbing.

In competitive rock climbing, the goal is to complete the route with the fewest number of tries possible or to go the farthest along a route that progressively becomes harder. Bouldering, lead climbing, and top roping are the three subcategories that make up the majority of an indoor climbing gym's offerings.