it is not entirely clear when recreational rock climbing was invented, but given the nature of the human spirit, it is likely that humans have climbed rocks since humankind has been in existence.

the earliest historical depiction of rock climbing can be found in prehistoric chinese watercolors that show men climbing mountains.

in the 14th century, a native tribe called the anasazi drilled holes into the sides of cliffs and placed tree branches in them to make ascent up the cliff face easier - this is the earliest known equipment used specifically for rock climbing.