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Today, six types of rock climbing are acknowledged: mountaineering, trad climbing, sport climbing, bouldering, top-rope climbing, and free solo climbing. Firstly, mountaineering or alpine climbing is the oldest and most adventurous type of climbing. The first alpine climbing ever recorded went back to one hundred and twenty one A.D. Mountaineering is also the most dangerous type out of the six because it requires numerous skills to be able to get up and down the mountain. One has to be good at climbing on rocks, snow and ice; he has to be aware of all natural hazards such as falling rocks and avalanche. He also has to be able to stay calm in extreme situations and take care of his comrades. Next is trad climbing; it is a short for traditional climbing, and it is a type of climbing in which a climber puts on all necessary equipment like camming device in the rock while ascending. This type of climbing requires a great deal of experience and technical knowledge to be done safely. Third is sport climbing; this type is similar to trad climbing. In sport climbing, however, all protection equipment is placed permanently in the location. Sport climbing emphasizes endurance, strength, and ability as opposed to the adventure and risk which characterize trad climbing. .
Equally important is bouldering. One does not need any ropes or protective equipment to prevent him from falling, and it is usually limited to very short climbs (below twenty five feet). Although, a crash pad is needed so the fall does not result in serious injury. Next is top rope climbing; it requires a rope for a climber's safety. The rope is always anchored to a system above the climber so he or she falls in a short distance and safely attempts even the most difficult routes. Top-rope climb is the most common style and is usually practiced in indoor climbing walls; even so, it is important for professional climbers to know this particular technique in situations when other techniques become unsafe and environmentally damaging.