Aid climbing is ascending rock faces using mechanical tools rather than hands and feet.
Photo © Stewart M. GreenAid climbing is technical rock climbing that requires the use or aid of climbing gear, including cams, pitons, bolts, nuts, and hooks, which holds the lead climber’s weight as he moves upward. Aid climbing is used when the rock is featureless and the climber is unable to use hand and footholds for upward progress. Sometimes climbers make only a few moves of aid on a free route, which is called French free climbing.
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