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Rock climbing terms glossary Aid Climbing is a form of climbing that uses all sorts of gear and techniques to “aid” the climber in upward progress. Slack Portion of rope that is not taut, preferably minimized during belay. Aug 2, 2024 · Soloing: rock climbing without rope. [1][2][3] The terms used can vary between different English-speaking countries; many of the phrases described here are particular to the United States and the United Kingdom. Climbing and mountaineering terms with an explanation of safety implications and safer alternatives. 0 (the easiest climbing, sometimes referred to as “a ladder”) and 5. Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that involves navigating short, technical routes or ‘problems’ close to the ground without the use of ropes or harnesses. AID CLIMBING. Used as a verb it means to place a foot flat against the rock. In aid climbing, it is common practice to pull up on gear and use sky hooks, webbing ladders, or aiders to create foot placements. Understanding the lingo can help make the sport feel more approachable, but it is also essential to your safety in many situations. Aug 11, 2024 · Basic Climbing Terms. Jul 11, 2023 · Beta, Crux, Crimp, Send, Free Solo—key rock climbing terms and lingo explained for new climbers, with reference photos for each There is an inordinate amount of terms related to climbing. With so much rock climbing slang and funny climbing terms, it can be hard to understand anything that a climber says at first. Invented, as the name suggests, to grade routes in the Yosemite Valley, CA. Feb 13, 2025 · Climbing terms serve as building blocks for safety and communication in rock climbing. 52 Rock Climbing Terms You Should Know. In some This glossary originally came from Chris Bate's excellent Guide to Cyprus (still unpublished damn) which contained most of the definitions here. Free climbing: Any form of climbing where the climber is not reliant on gear to progress up the wall. SLCD Glossary of Climbing Terms. There are certainly some less common words that haven’t made it onto this list, but you’ll find everything you really need to know to scrub up and learn the lingo and the most common rock climbing terms. As for the content on theCrag, this glossary relies on the input of you, the users of theCrag for updates, corrections and more precise definitions. The system follows a scale that begins at 5. Soloing Climbing a route without a rope. This remained so for two years until we finally got time to restore it, and add a few pictures. For beginners, some key climbing terms to know are “belay,” the process of managing the rope to ensure the safety of the climber; “harness,” gear worn around the waist and legs for safety; “jug,” a large, easily gripped hold; “toprope,” climbing with the rope anchored at the top of the climb; and “boulder,” climbing short May 4, 2025 · Sa – Su : 10:00 – 22:00. These terms form the foundation of climbing vocabulary and are essential for anyone stepping into the world of rock climbing. Learn how to talk like a climber with help from our comprehensive glossary. Rock climbing is loaded with technical terms and jargon. The complete term is free soloing. The emphasis is on balance, footwork, and making use of very small features or rough spots on the rock for friction. The person performing this action is called the belayer. Gear can be used to protect against a fall. A belayer manages the rope system, while the crux marks the hardest part of a climbing route. 15c (currently the hardest confirmed free climb in the world). Sport Climbing Routes that are protected by clipping the rope to permanent bolts. And believe it or not, most of them are actually used pretty often. I’ve also tried to include pictures/images where I can. Boulder – Unroped climbing not far from the ground (12 feet or less) with an emphasis on movement and strength May 4, 2022 · ICE CLIMBING Ascending frozen ice by using special ice axes and crampons. Ice climbing is less popular than rock climbing, and typically more dangerous due to the unpredictable nature of ice, which can break without warning. When it comes to aid climbing, almost any means of making upward progress goes. These basic terms (along with proper technique) create a foundation for both indoor gym sessions and outdoor climbing. (Photo: Getty Images) Nov 8, 2023 · Rock Climbing Lingo: Common Rock Climbing Slang & Terminologies. An ice climber using crampons on his feet and ice axes in his hands to ascent the inside of a glacier. I would appreciate it and make the . Well in this article I’ve got a list of 217 terms used when rock climbing including their definitions. Schlagwörter:Climbing Terms GlossaryMountain Climbing Terminology. Aid climbing: Climbing where climbers can use artificial aids to progress, such as ascending fixed ropes, using etriers (ladders made of webbing) or other aids. If you need to find a specific term on this page then press Ctrl+F if you’re on a PC or Command+F on a Mac to open up the “Find” tool. Spotting Guiding a falling climber safely to the ground. Splitter A long, parallel sided crack. Belay: The technique of controlling the rope to protect a climber from falling. Aug 25, 2022 · Yosemite Decimal System– The standard grading scale in the US for free climbing routes. Video illustrations. Let’s start with the fundamentals. The present Climbing Terms Glossary is a list of definitions of terms, jargon and lingo related to all styles of rock climbing covered on theCrag. May 19, 2014 · Slab climbing A particular type of rock climbing, and its associated techniques, involved in climbing rock that is less than vertical. In 2004, when we changed the articles section, the bottom section of the Glossary was lost. . Arête – An outside corner. Glossary of climbing terms relates to rock climbing (including aid climbing, lead climbing, bouldering, and competition climbing), mountaineering, and to ice climbing.