Lead Climbing, one of the more advanced rock climbing techniques, is when one person goes up ahead and he or she then secures an anchor in the rock; so then, not only are they protected—because you can be sure that after they get that bolt in place and have secured a metal ring in the mountainside, they are going to clip their own carabiner and line to it before heading up to the next point!— also the rest of the climbers below can then get their ropes through the loop that was just imbedded in the rock wall, so they are then able to follow the lead and safely get to the next point.

Whenever someone goes Multi-pitch Climbing there has to be a leader who will go up first—the lead climber—with no one below to take the slack out of their line by using a belaying technique—this person is then responsible for securing the climbers ropes below so they can perform a climb with a spotter and belayer below (even if you are mid climb; Editor's Comment: I personally have never belayed anyone while I was on a mountainside [and I don’t think I would really want to, unless I had a few practices sessions first where I got more accustomed to the sport—I really need to get out there and try going climbing at a real rock wall first before I’ll try that! But honestly, I can’t wait!)

Extreme Climbing Activities – These people have/are guts/ nuts!

Ice climbing – This one is obvious enough. You’ve probably seen it on the X-Games on ESPN. They actually combine ice climbing with speed climbing for a slick and speedy extreme challenge—novice climbers need not apply! You have to bring ice picks and special equipment for securing an anchor into the ice (to which you can attach your carabiner and then secure your rope). You also wear really neato spiked boots that look like something Freddy Kruger would wear. Ice climbing is a challenge (and dangerous) not only because you are on a non-grippy surface that has few solid edges where you can get your grip (that’s where the pick axes come into play!); it is dangerous and difficult because you have to wear cold-weather gear and oftentimes trek or hike to your location. Carrying all that heavy gear must be exhausting. But I’m sure the view from the top of an ice peak or a frozen waterfall is more than enough reward for the hardships one must endure to participate in this extreme outdoor activity.

Mountaineering – Often combined with Ice Climbing, regular lead and multi-pitch climbing, and always hiking, the extreme sport of mountaineering is really one of the most arduous and fatiguing activities one can (enjoy?) participate in outside. I don’t think it’s the walk and the climb that attracts people to tackling this endeavor—it’s the summit! The accomplishment... being able to say I have been to the top and scene the view from the top of the world (forget about Kilimanjaro, you get to the top of any mountain and you have truly accomplished something)!

Aid Climbing – Instead of climbing the rock yourself, by using the strength your hands, arms, legs and feet (combined upper and lower body strength), when you go aid climbing you bring a variety of equipment which allows you to ascend the to the peak of rock walls or sheets of ice you would otherwise be unable to climb. The main difference is that you are not really climbing at all; rather, you are using a pulley system to slowly inch your way up to the top—one hard tug or pull at a time!

See image in link for how challenging this must be:

http://www.petzl.com/us/outdoor/activities-and-techniques/aid-climbing

Bouldering – By using spotting techniques and well placed mats, participants (I’m not sure what they are called, “Boulderers” sounds a bit convoluted... perhaps “boulder-jockeys!”) are able to climb up boulders without a rope, and still have pretty good chances of walking away from the scene of the crash (probably a bit scraped up, or I’m sure, with a sprained wrist or a broken ankle here and there). The danger level depends on how far one is willing to go up... and the placement and effectiveness of the mat placed underneath the climber. It is a difficult and daring challenge, but active people who seek a thrill are drawn to the rocks and they feel they can get away without using a line.

(and this last one is not endorsed or recommended by GettingOutside.com—leave this one to the Steph Davis’s of the world—the rest of us will use our ropes!)

Free Solo Climbing – climbing without a rope or anchors (or even a mat as the bouldering crowd prefers)... literally no holds barred, human (insanity) vs. nature (inert),  You’ve got to be kidding me? She jumps off the top with a parachute! Insane!?

This guy below is taking an inventory of his mountaineering gear: