Free climbing has differing definitions in the
USA and in
Europe. In the majority of the world free climbing is a form of
rock climbing without any equipment or ropes, a style that in the USA is called
Free Soloing. In the USA free climbing is specifically contrasted with
aid climbing. Like aid climbing, it may use
ropes and other means of
climbing protection, but only to protect against injury during falls, and not to assist progress. The term
free climbing originally meant "free from aid". The American definition of free climbing includes
solo climbing,
traditional climbing,
sport climbing and
bouldering whereas in the majority of the world it refers solely to
Free Soloing. In contrast to these, climbing equipment is used in aid climbing to assist the climber in ascending the climb, and sometimes includes a means for pulling the climber upward or providing points where the climber can stand on equipment to assist in the climb.