| The history of rock climbing dates back to the late | | | | only on the ability, skill, and physical strength of the |
| 19th century. Although Colorado was home for the | | | | climber. During the early days, free climbing was the |
| earliest rock climbers, the place became popular for | | | | only method of rock climbing. Early explorers used |
| rock climbing only by the turn of the 20th century. | | | | climbing equipment only if they were unable to |
| Rock climbing was earlier seen as a part of | | | | advance even beyond a hard move. |
| mountaineering; mountaineers indulged in rock climbing | | | | During the mid-1960's, American climbers found that |
| in preparation for a climbing expedition. Early climbers | | | | the piton used in aid climbing considerably damaged |
| in Germany and Great Britain were passionate about | | | | the rocks. This led to the invention of slinging |
| this sport and set remarkable standards of rock | | | | machine nuts, an alternative for the piton. The |
| climbing. By the 1920's, rock climbing started gaining a | | | | tradition of combining the free and aid methods |
| foothold in the United States. | | | | began in the early 1980's in France. This combination |
| Aid climbing and free climbing are two traditional | | | | method minimized the level of difficulty for the |
| climbing methods. Aid climbing involves the use of | | | | climbers, thus improving their style of climbing. |
| climbing equipment whereas free climbing depends | | | | |