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Types of Climbing

Bouldering:
Bouldering:

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed on small rock formations or artificial rock walls, known as boulders, without the use of ropes or harnesses. While it can be done without any equipment, most climbers use climbing shoes to help secure footholds, chalk to keep their hands dry and provide a firmer grip, and bouldering mats to prevent injuries from falls.

Free Solo Climbing:
Free Solo Climbing:

Free solo climbing, also known as Soloing, is a form of free climbing and solo climbing where the climber (or free soloist) performs alone and without using any ropes, harnesses or other protective equipment, relying entirely on his or her ability instead.

image: kvpr.org
Mountaineering (Alpine Climbing):
Mountaineering (Alpine Climbing):

"Mountaineering becomes alpine climbing when the technical difficulty of ascent becomes the crux of the route, as opposed to negotiating alpine elements." I think that is the clearest distinction I've heard drawn between the two.

Sport Climbing:
Sport Climbing:

What is Sport Climbing? Sport climbing involves high-intensity climbing on relatively short routes. Its distinguishing characteristics include preplaced bolts and an emphasis on the physical aspect of the climb rather than the destination or summit.

source: rei.com
Top Rope Climbing:
Top Rope Climbing:

Top rope climbing is all about having fun, being outside, and climbing rock faces. Toproping offers the rock climbing experience with all the rewards but minimal risks. Toproping, simply put, is climbing a rock face with the climbing rope always anchored above you.

source: thoughtco.com
Trad Climbing:
Trad Climbing:

Traditional climbing requires technical knowledge of climbing anchors and skill in making them. Sport climbing requires little technical knowledge of equipment. Sport climbers think nothing of falling repeatedly while trying to figure out a tough move; trad climbers are careful not to fall on the anchors they place.

source: rei.com