Jack and Tim .co.uk - Climbing

Aid Climbing
Aid climbing is a method of climbing dependant on equipment. It involves placing gear to take your weight and then placing higher pieces and stepping up. This was formerly the main style of climbing but is now reserved for routes which would be too difficult to free climb.

Free Climbing
Not to be confused with soloing. Free climbing is the style most commonly practised. Gear is still used to catch a climber in the event of a fall but is not used for any upwards assistance. The climber places all pieces of protection and only uses their body for ascension. By far the most technically demanding style of climbing as the climber must consume time and energy in placing gear. A slight variation on this is sport climbing: free climbing with permanent bolts for protection rather than climber placed equipment.

Soloing
Soloing is climbing without any protection. This is obviously the most dangerous style of climbing but also considered the most pure and most exhilarating. A slightly safer variation of this is Deep Water Soloing (DWS): soloing above water deep enough to allow a relatively safe landing.

Bouldering
Bouldering is very low level soloing. No protection is used because none is needed. Portable crash pads are often used to provide a more comfortable landing.