"Toproping" is rock climbing with the rope anchored at the top of the
climb, as opposed to "lead" climbing, where a climber places protection
as he or she goes. Having a top anchor lessens the potential distance of
a fall and creates a more controlled situation in which to hone your
climbing technique. Toproping is at the heart of learning to climb, and
being able to safely set up and manage toprope situations is a critical
component in the development of any climber. While it seems simple on
the surface, topropes must be rigged and configured properly in
accordance with sound safety principles--and that's where this book
comes in.