Rock climbing in one form or another has been practiced for centuries, mostly out of necessity. Climbing as an adventure sport, however, using ropes, began in 18th-century Europe. It slowly made it s way to North America and began gaining momentum in the United States around the 1920s. It s now one of the fastest growing adventure sports in the world. Jim Bridwell, a world-renowned climber living in Palm Desert, has seen the sport change a great deal over his 38 years of climbing.
Equipment is different, more advanced.
Techniques have been modernized. I started climbing on a hemp rope. You were basically on your own. There were no rescue teams to get you down. It s adult monkey bars .