Rock climbing is one of the fastest growing leisure activities, involving millions of people worldwide. This is a fully comprehensive, illustrated guide to the subject with topics ranging from basic indoor wall climbing techniques to the ultimate adventure of scaling sea cliffs and high mountain crags. The guide begins with the history of climbing, taking a brief look at the origins of the sport and its development. Advice on essential clothing and equipment follows, with instructions on how to prepare and warm-up to avoid injury and also covering more advanced techniques required for climbing steep rock.