Bob Walkden <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >There were some very hard-looking army types at the same place, >free-climbing. That means climbing without the (admittedly dubious, in >my experience) benefit of ropes and metal things for sticking in the >rock.
Actually, what they were doing is called "free-soloing", which is kind of a subset of "free climbing". "Free climbing" generally means using ropes, harnesses and "metal things for sticking in the rock" but not having them bear any of your weight during the climb (unless you fall). In other words, you're climbing using your hands and feet (and other body parts) and the ropes, etc. are only a safety precaution. If you use the metal things and ropes to support your weight (deliberately) during the climb (as you would on a multi-day ascent of a sheer, vertical rock face) that's "aid climbing". So, technically, what *you* were doing was free climbing. Feel any braver now? -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
