Lead climbing is a
climbing technique used to ascend a route. This technique is predominantly used in
rock climbing and involves a
lead climber attaching themselves to a length of
dynamic (elastic) climbing
rope and ascending a route while periodically attaching
protection (quickdraws or traditional protection) to the face of the route and clipping into it. The
lead climber must have another person acting as a
belayer. The belayer has multiple roles: holding the rope in the event of a fall, and paying out or taking up rope as the climber moves.