Rock Climbing

Rock climbing — ascending natural or artificial rock faces using hands, feet, and equipment — has evolved from a mountaineering aid technique into a standalone sport with an Olympic presence since 2020. Free solo climbing (without ropes or protection) represents its most extreme form — Alex Honnold's free solo ascent of El Capitan's 'Freerider' route (2017, 7h40m) is considered the greatest athletic achievement in climbing history. The documentary 'Free Solo' (2018) won the Academy Award for Best Documentary. Climbing gyms have proliferated globally — over 6,000 indoor walls worldwide — making climbing accessible. Sport climbing, bouldering, and speed climbing each require different physiques and skills. Dawn Wall (El Capitan), first free-climbed by Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson in 2015 after 7 years of attempts, is considered climbing's greatest achievement with a rope.