apukiipeilyä

Apukiipeilyä, often translated as assisted climbing or aid climbing in English, is a climbing technique where climbers use equipment to make progress rather than relying solely on their physical strength to ascend. This equipment can include specialized gear like etriers (foot loops), aiders, and cams, which are placed into cracks and fissures in the rock. The climber then pulls on this gear to move upwards.

The primary purpose of apukiipeilyä is to ascend routes that are otherwise too difficult or impossible to climb using only free climbing techniques. This can be due to the lack of natural holds, extreme overhangs, or the desire to climb very long and challenging routes where endurance is a major factor. It is a common method in big wall climbing, where climbers spend multiple days ascending massive rock formations.

Apukiipeilyä differs significantly from free climbing, where the rope and protection are used solely for safety, and all upward movement comes from the climber's physical ability to grip and move on the rock. In apukiipeilyä, the gear used for ascent is not just for protection but is an integral part of the climbing process itself. While it allows for the ascent of seemingly insurmountable walls, it is often viewed as a different discipline within climbing, with its own set of skills and ethics. The practice requires a high level of technical proficiency in placing and using gear, as well as significant strength and endurance for the repetitive movements involved.