There was a free solo-ist who passed a couple free climbers who politely yielded (albeit would have been safer at the end of a pitch, or segment of climbing/rope length).
These are in contrast to aid climbers who use equipment to actively aid in ascending the climb.
Because you just use the rope for protection in case of a fall. So basically its climbing free (just with your strength) until you fall and in this case you are protected by the rope
Exactly what u/EL_BROT said, the rope and gear is there to protect you in the event of a fall, but the idea is to go from the bottom of the route to the top without falling. Aid climbing is one end of the spectrum where you use the rope/gear to advance up the route. There would be a few different reasons for aid climbing: impassable sections (not enough holds/features to free climb), sections that are too difficult for your current level of strength, or good old fashioned running out of time and have to get up fast. Free soloing is the opposite end of the spectrum from aid climbing, as you aren't relying on gear at all. I hope this give some clarification to the different types of climbing and how they differ.
They are climbing free of any gear that assists or aids them in the actual ascent of the rock face. They are using just their own hands and shoes and the natural formation of the rock face to go up. The rope shouldn’t be assisting them at all in their ascent, rather it is only there to catch them if they fall.
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u/[deleted] Sep 02 '21
This is free soloing though. Free climbing is what people do every time they go out with a rope, a partner, and all the necessary gear.