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The art and sport of climbing is one of the purest forms of physical activity there is. Using physical strength and grace, mental toughness, and a tool-kit of aids (see equipment), climbers ascend steep rock faces to attain their goal, the top point of a climb. Usually, though not always, this is the summit of a peak or rock wall, such as the top of the Trango Towers in Pakistan or the peaks of the Torres del Paine in Patagonia. Often, however, a climber\'s goal is simply the top of a particularly difficult \"pitch\" or section of a wall. Other related sports -- such as ice climbing, bouldering or even mountaineering -- partake of some of climbing\'s thrills and skills, and as a broad category \"climbing\" can include these sports as well.
Although climbing descends from the sport of alpinism that swept Europe in the 19th century, today climbing has extended far beyond the Alps of its origin. Even in Himalayan mountaineering, the technical skills of roped climbing with pitons up sheer walls can be quite important. Still, some of world\'s classic \"pure climbs\" are in Yosemite National Park, in particular the twin challenges of Half Dome and El Capitan.
Big Wall Climbing, in particular, relates to the technical ascent of a rock wall large enough to involve multi-day ascents -- though speed-climbers such as Hans Florine have shattered even this once-reliable criterion. Many believe Big Wall Climbing to be the distillation of the climber\'s skills. Big Wall climbers pride themselves on low-impact climbing, the refinement of established routes or development of new ones, as well as speed ascents and other more esoteric activities.
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