Lead climbing is a style of rock climbing where the climber ascends a route while attaching themselves to fixed anchors, such as bolts, using a rope. The climber clips the rope into these anchors as they progress upward, which helps to protect against falls. If the climber falls, the rope catches them, preventing a long drop. In lead climbing, the climber must manage both their physical movements and the rope. This requires skill in placing quickdraws, which are devices that connect the rope to the anchors. Lead climbing is often considered more challenging than top-rope climbing, where the rope is already secured at the top of the route.