Speed Climbing is a type of
climbing in which
speed is the ultimate goal. In pure speed climbing the time is
everything but it is also common to record speed accents while observing a
particular
climbing style or
ethic. For example there are many speed records in which the climb was done
according to
free climbing ethics.
In popular culture speed climbing may be best known for a
viral video featuring
Dan Osman climbing
Lover's Leap via the
Bear's Reach
route (5.7, 400+ feet) in 4 min 25 sec.
This clip was originally featured in the movie Masters of Stone IV
Types
Pure
Speed Climbing: Full speed climbing is done in such
a way that maximizes speed and minimizes danger. When
climbing with a partner the climbers will alternate between
regular
free climbing,
simul climbing,
aiding,
and at times sections of
roped soloing.
Speed climbing can also be done by an individual in which
they alternate between forms of
rope soloing,
aiding,
and
free soloing.
Strictly speaking this type of speed climbing is not a style
but a combination or perhaps a type of aid climbing. However
the complexity of combining all the styles together leads to
what can be recognized as a separate style with its own
particular techniques used in no other style.
Style Climbing: Records can be recorded while
climbing in a particular
style.
Each of the methods ultimately handicap the rate of progress
with the exception of free soloing.
Free Soloing:
The simplest way to increase the
speed of climbing is to shed all safety precautions such as
belaying
and placing
protection.
This leads to
free soloing
as rapidly as possible. While strictly speaking this
qualifies as full speed climbing or a type of style climbing
it is different enough to be recognized as its own category
of speed climbing.
