Aid Rock Climbing is a type of rock climbing that requires artificial assistance, such as ropes, to ascend a rock wall.

Aid climbing is a style of rock climbing where climbers scale a rock wall with the help of tools and equipment. It emphasizes a climber's ingenuity and technical skill, rather than athletic ability. Though not very popular due to the natural damage caused by a climber's tools, aid climbing still maintains a loyal following. Despite the security provided by a climber's equipment, aid climbing can be an extremely dangerous sport. Novices should proceed with caution only after training with an experienced climber.

Climb rocks with the help of tools and equipment.

There are no formalized rules for aid climbing. Some parks however have restrictions on what kind of equipment can be used when climbing.

The climbing of rocks, cliffs and mountains for recreational pursuits began in Europe in the early 19th century. The sport of rock climbing, a pursuit calling for distinct athletic ability, emerged from more leisurely practices at the end of the 19th century. Aid climbing was the standard form of climbing until 1960, when the practice of using equipment went out of style. The damage tools inflicted to the faces of rock walls was a leading cause in the shift away from aid climbing. Today aid climbing is going through a revival of sorts, but with safer, less damaging equipment.

Aiders
Ascenders
Copperheads
Daisy Chains
Hauling Pulleys
Hooks
Nuts
Pitons
Wall Hammers

Aid climbing is a dangerous sport due to the extreme heights inolved. Participants should make many practice attempts prior to climbing, and should only climb rocks at their skill level. Learning from an experienced teacher is highly recommended.

Weight training can build the necessary strong arms and shoulders, while aerobic exercise and yoga can develop good flexibility and agility. Common aid climbing tools should be used many times before a climb, in order to create familiarity.

Ascender - device that can be clipped to a rope to act as a foothold or handhold, or to keep something in position

Copperhead - small nut hammered into rock, used to support the weight of a climber

Piton - peg or spike driven into a rock or crack to support a climber or rope

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aid_climbing