Free solo climbing
Free solo climbing, also known as free soloing, is a form of free climbing where the climber (the free soloist) forgoes ropes, harnesses and other protective gear while ascending and relies only on his or her physical strength, climbing ability, and psychological fortitude to avoid a fatal fall. Free solo climbing should not be confused with free climbing, in which gear is used for safety in case of a fall, but not to assist the climb. Less risky alternatives to free soloing include bouldering (climbing at heights low enough that a fall would typically be safe) and deep water soloing (climbing where falling would result in harmlessly falling into water). Reasons for free soloing given by high-profile climbers include the simplicity and speed with which one can climb, a feeling of intense concentration required, and the adrenaline rush. The practice is mostly confined to routes familiar to the climber and whose difficulty lies well within the climber’s abilities.
There are inherent dangers to climbing solo, as a partner can help with belaying or even call for help in case of an accident. In free solo climbing, a climber not only climbs alone, but he also climbs without any ropes or harnesses to protect him in case of a slip or fall. The most dangerous part of free solo climbing is not the climbing itself, as most solo climbers choose routes they already know well. The major danger of solo climbing is the absence of help in case of emergency, plus the exposure to the environment, including the danger of falling rocks and slippery icy edges. For it to be considered true free solo climbing, the climber must be at least 25 feet off the ground, a height from which it would be extremely unlikely that anyone would survive a fall. Even the most experienced climbers consider free solo climbing “a sport for the crazy.” A similar form of free solo climbing, known as deep-water soloing, consists of climbing on sea cliffs. The presence of water down below m
