[neckbeard]

You might not like it, but free climbing (no scare quotes required) is a defined term. It means climbing without the aid of ropes, except for safety. (Climbing without ropes is usually called free solo.)

Aid climbing means using ropes as aid - you can pull yourself up on ropes (and associated tools).

Quibble about the details as much as you like, it is still the hardest multipitch, bigwall, free climb ever achieved.

[ahlatimer]

Not to mention that the definition becomes more loose when it comes to huge projects like this. One of the claimed free ascents of the Nose involved top roping two of the hardest pitches. Most people consider that a free ascent, even though that wouldn't generally be enough for an FFA of a single-pitch sport climb.