What is free climbing in rock climbing?
Free climb means to climb up a rock wall without use of aid, no standing on gear or protection to move up the wall. You still use a rope and gear as back up protection in case you fall, it catches you. When “free soloing” you don’t use back up protection. These other answers are actually not right, free climb uses rope as protection, but not to climb, free solo means no protection at all, u fall u die. The Best Answer chosen was actually not correct. Bob G is correct. Free climbing is where you climb the wall by only using your hands or feet (or any other body part). The gear or protection is used only “in case you fall”. It does not assist in the ascent.
