Top roping
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Top-rope climbing (or Top roping) is a technique in climbing in which the rope runs from the belayer at the foot of the route through at least a couple of carabiners connected to an anchor at the top of the route and back down to the climber. Assuming it is a straightforward route and that the anchor holds and the belayer pays attention, the climber cannot fall more than a short distance and can safely attempt the most difficult routes. It contrasts with lead climbing, where protection must be placed as one climber moves up the surface.
Most top rope anchors can be reached through non-technical routes.
Top roping is most often done on routes that are otherwise unleadable for one reason or another. Top roping has a long and proud history in the climbing world partly it's low envronmental impact and high ethical standards of the route setters. It is also the most commonly used way to climb at an indoor climbing walls. It is also used on some granite areas such as Kent in southern New England. Here the rock is soft and prone to erosion, so placing protections into the rock is banned. Top-roping from permanent anchors and solo climbing are the only forms of ascent allowed.
Top roped climbing is often easier and safer than sport climbing, in which the lead climber clips into preplaced bolts in the rock, or traditional climbing, in which protection is placed along the route by a lead climber. Many novice climbers initially experience the sport through top roping.
See also
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