In 1985 a certain number of climbers signed a manifesto: the manifesto of the ninteen. This manifesto condemned climbing competitions. A year later most of the people who signed took part in the first French competition of artificial climbing structures. Today the competitions are organized with the official support of the French Alpine Club. A world cup will probably be held in 1989. The film analyzes the competition phenomenon in interviews with the best climbers such as Patrick Edlinger, Isabelle Partissier, Patrick Berhault and Catherine Destivelle.