Lead climbing

Lead climbing is roped climbing in which the climber ascends while attaching the rope to protection. A fall is arrested by the rope running through the most recently clipped protection.

Quickdraw: A climbing connector made from two carabiners joined by a short sling. The rope is clipped through a quickdraw attached to each bolt or piece of protection.
Sport climbing: Roped climbing on routes protected mainly by permanent bolts fixed to the rock. Sport routes provide fixed points that the leader clips while ascending.
Indoor climbing: Climbing on purpose-built walls with artificial holds and fixed infrastructure. Indoor lead routes let climbers practice clipping and fall management in a controlled setting.
Free solo climbing: Climbing without a rope or protective equipment, where a fall is likely to be fatal. Lead climbing uses a rope and protection; free soloing removes both.
Belaying: Managing a climbing rope to protect a climber from a fall. The belayer pays out rope as the leader climbs and takes in slack when needed.
Traditional climbing: Roped climbing in which climbers place removable protection in the rock as they ascend. Trad leaders build their own protection rather than relying on a line of permanent bolts.
Competition climbing: Organized climbing contests in which athletes attempt standardized or judged routes. Lead is a competition discipline where athletes climb a fixed route within a time limit.
Aid climbing: Climbing in which equipment is used to support body weight and make upward progress. Lead climbing usually means free climbing while clipping protection, not standing on it to ascend.
Lead climbing fall: A fall in which a lead climber drops below the last protection point before the rope arrests the fall. The distance fallen can greatly exceed the distance to the last piece of protection.
Top roping: Roped climbing with the rope anchored above the climber throughout the ascent. Unlike a lead climber, a top-rope climber does not advance the protection.

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