The history of climbing rocks, unlike many sports, is recent. What was once a necessity to climb rocks and steep cliffs, today is a favorite pastime for many. Rock climbing up and down icy glaciers was part of rescue operations in the Alps. The latter part of 19th century witnessed the emergence of climbing as a sport, from three specific areas of Europe. Close to the Czech border in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in South-eastern part of Germany, was the first place. By 1903 there were several climbing clubs opening up in the territory and nearly 500 active climbers playing the sport.

In England rock climbing was viewed upon as a sport around this time. Some of the early climbers attracted a lot of attention with solo climbs of very difficult cliff formations. Depending of the varying types of cliff formations, it is here that marking the various difficulty ratings first started. Climbers would meet up and share and discuss their climbing experiences, while the climbing clubs were slowly getting formed.

What turned the area into the third hotspot for European rock climbing was a 17 year old student from Munich Germany to do a solo climb in the Dolomite Mountains located in northern Italy. In the United States, rock climbing and mountain climbing were viewed as similar activities, and it was not until the 1950’s that it began to emerge as a separate sport. Even to date, many techniques used were initially developed for mountain climbing.

In recent times, rock climbing has evolved drastically with new and improved styles and equipment being introduced every day. Ardent climbing fans would now like to turn this hobby into a lifestyle than a sport. One trend has been the introduction of indoor climbing in urban areas. Here many actual rock formations are duplicated in design with artificial rock faces. The risk-free environment created by the safety equipment of indoor climbing allows you to have the full thrill of real rock climbing minus any tension.

Despite the safety equipment and improved techniques, rock climbing is not only a sport that demands a great deal of physical strength and stamina, but is also hazardous. In recent times, mankind had enough to go through to survive without inventing challenges. Rocks and mountains were climbed more by compulsion than anything else. The growing popularity of rock climbing speaks volumes about the modern society. One of the primary drivers of human spirit is to seek fresh challenges and it is perhaps due to his fact that this sport exists today.

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