Rock climbing is quickly becoming one of Britain’s popular pastimes and hobbies. In the last five years alone, the number of people participating in the British Mountaineering Council has increased by around 50% – a clear indication of the rapid rise in popularity for the sport.

Here, Ropes Direct have explored all things rock climbing, looking at its meteoric rise in popularity, to some of the most famous faces the sport has seen.

Check it out below: