Bouldering terms slang How 1990s Rifle Laid the Foundation for Hard American Sport Climbing; Chip With Honor: The Art Of Manufacturing Routes With Integrity; It’s Mine! No, It’s Mine!. Ape Index - The ratio of your height to armspan. Understanding what they’re talking about can help you feel like a part of the climbing world! Pumped. Oct 8, 2024 · But the vocabulary is part of what makes the climbing culture so great! They use strange verbiage, enjoy wrestling funky-colored walls, and are covered in chalk 90% of the time. Example use: “I don’t want to go bouldering because I’m scared to break my ankles. Climbing has its own set of terms and slang and we’re breaking down some of the essential terms for you in this handy glossary. In Lead Climbing, the climbers and their rope start climbing from the ground-up, with no protection or safeguards above them. Accessory cord —Nylon, Kevlar® or Spectra® cord sold in a range of diameters, typically smaller than those of climbing ropes. C an be sharp or rounded. Tufas A limestone rib. A. As there is climbing an international sport that can be practiced in almost every country where there is at least one bigger stone, it is relatively difficult to know some terms or to translate them directly into the mother tongue. Can I Start Climbing Without Knowing All These Terms? Go to the climbing gym and listen to the teenagers or early 20s climbers talk. With rock climbing growing in popularity, and reaching mainstream audiences, more terms and slang will appear, it’s only a matter of time. And believe it or not, most of them are actually used pretty often. 2) Short for “trad gear,” or protection that can be placed and removed Feb 27, 2025 · Advanced Climbing Terms: Climb Higher with Understanding. “crag” is a term used to describe pretty much any outdoor climbing area (usually sport or trad, not so much bouldering). Rock climbing has a language of its own. Jan 10, 2021 · Home - Climb - A Guide to Rock Climbing Terms and Jargon. I felt like I was listening to a different language! Jan 27, 2022 · Gear: 1) Any equipment used for rock climbing, like bolts, hangers, cams, belay devices, harnesses, ropes, drills, etc. Learning these terms can make your bouldering experience more enjoyable. long reaches or tiny crimps), the best way to protect the route (e. A climber ascends an arete. Flashing a route? Sounds inappropriate. He is also the author of the Climbing Dictionary, a 250-page reference of climbing terms and slang. Abseil – See Rappel. Route: a pre-planned way of reaching the top of a climb. Arete- The corner of a rock face. The system follows a scale that begins at 5. But a few key terms can make all the difference. Mar 23, 2018 · Whether you’re new to the sport or well versed in climbing, there may be some words you may not understand. bunny ears. In this list, we will explore some of the most common rock climbing terms and phrases used in the sport. In a much anticipated (by my cousin Natalie), and lengthy (16 minutes!!) video, I explain the 35 most commonly used bouldering terms (in my opinion) that you There are a lot of terms specific to climbing. ) When a crag looks more like a party zone than a climbing area, packed with hammocks, bluetooth speakers, and more people hanging out tanning, snacking, and gabbing than climbing. For each one, I need: A definition An example sentence (Optional) The origin of the word Here are the terms I chose: May 19, 2014 · The rock climbing (5. Some folk love to use bouldering jargon that can feel awkward to ask about if you don't know it. When you start going outside, you’ll want the appropriate bouldering vocabulary to go with it. I'm doing climbing terms. Ethan Ridge Feb 22, 2025 Learn advanced climbing terms to improve your skills and enjoy climbing with friends while staying safe. REALLY not good climbing style. Even if you feel like a “gumby” (inexperienced climber) on the wall, you can show other enthusiasts you’re not by using these climbing slang terms. . From essential safety words like “belayer” (the person controlling the safety rope) to movement-based terms such as “crux” (the hardest part of a climb), these phrases form the basic language of climbing. In a climbing gym, this refers to the holds placed which are required to be used to complete Feb 13, 2025 · Rock climbing and bouldering come with specific terms that climbers need to know. ” **Side note: if you go bouldering outdoors, you (should) bring a boulder pad so that you’re not just falling on the ground/more rocks. With so much rock climbing slang and funny climbing terms, it can be hard to understand anything that a climber says at first. Feb 25, 2025 · Climbing Slang. 0 (the easiest climbing, sometimes referred to as “a ladder”) and 5. Dec 8, 2023 · Climbing Slang. Some terms are more popular or well-known compared to others just depending on who you are talking to and what type of climbing discipline you are referring to. Even though they sound similar, free climbing and free soloing are two very different things. Second: the person following the lead up. In addition to technical rock climbing terms, there’s lots of slang that climbers can use. Feb 16, 2024 · The term “beta” quickly became the go-to slang for the how-to in climbing. Being a newbie can be overwhelming. The top five slang terms for "bouldering" are: dribble, rocket jump, tranny, Jogging, skills. You’ll be sure to pick up a few things. A climb that requires you to transition mostly sideways. Here are the basic climbing terms to get you going, in alphabetical order: 1 Mar 20, 2025 · Yosemite Decimal System– The standard grading scale in the US for free climbing routes. This is only a guide from my experiences. Dihedral – A dihedral is a contained corner, nestled inward from the main wall. A knot also known as lineman's loop, butterfly loop, alpine butterfly knot and lineman's rider, is a knot used to form a fixed loop in the middle of a rope. There is an inordinate amount of terms related to climbing. Turning the Lip The process of getting from hanging from the lip of a roof to standing on the lip. Back in the 80s when Betamax cassettes were used to record rock climbing. To help make the world of bouldering more inclusive we've put together a glossary of climbing terms that might come in useful the next time your surrounded by Substation natives. Knowing the jargon helps you communicate better with other climbers. Instead of feeling lost in translation when you hear terms like “gaston the side-pull,” get ready to dive into the exciting world of rock climbing lingo. 0 and is open-ended on the harder end. Also read. If you’re new to climbing or hang around people who enjoy the sport, you’ve probably heard some words that make you scratch your head in confusion. In a climbing gym, this refers to the holds placed which are required to be used to complete May 3, 2022 · Lead Climbing. When I began climbing, understanding terms like “beta” and “crux” not only improved my communication with fellow climbers but also enhanced my overall climbing experience. My assignment for my linguistics class is to make a glossary of 10-20 slang or jargon words. Gym: indoor climbing wall. Anchor A piece of Gear used in a gym routes are rarely if ever sandbagged, if anything it's the opposite to make it easier to feel like you're progressing going from the gym to outdoors, I can in fact say some random dudes V0 route in some remote town on mountain project with no other ascents is sandbagged and actually probably a V4 or V5 compared to a route with many ascents in Squamish May 23, 2020 · 100 Rock Climbing Terms for Beginners. The climber places protection (small, removable anchors) in rock features as they climb (traditional leading), or uses permanent bolts already in the rock (sport leading). Especially with the start of Sender One LAX’s Bouldering League, you may need to know some of these words just to understand the rules! Climbers use and say so much slang, climbing pretty much has its own language. May 12, 2023 · Climbing slang. “Approach” means the hike that leads to the crag or climbing area. Understanding the lingo can help make the sport feel more approachable, but it is also essential to your safety in many situations. Deportiva - sport (climbing) en top - top roping bouldering - same as in english árness - harness zapatillas - shoes magnesio - chalk presa - climbing hold Disclaimer: Chilean spanish, which most of the time isn't Spanish. Ex: “me and the crew are headed out to the crag tomorrow”. butterfly knot. ROCK CLIMBING TERMS. "you need to use your left hand, not your right"), the climbing style needed (e. Of course, most of the terms used already can also be used, but the following ones are usually reserved for the outside arena. Trad Climbing Climbing a route protected by gear that has been placed by the leader. 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. Sep 30, 2014 · Here is a list of slang words/climbing terms that I might use in this blog. Crux: The toughest part of the climb, where strength, focus, and technique are Dec 6, 2017 · Related: Unsent—10 New Slang Terms for Climbing Gear; Beach Bash (n. A double figure of eight loop often used to clip into anchors with 2 carabiners. Types of Beta. g. The scale starts with the easiest grades at 5. There are unlimited slang terms that different people use in different types of climbing. It requires precise finger strength and control Familiarity with climbing terms and slang is more than just learning a new vocabulary; it’s about becoming an integrated member of the climbing community. Most of it is pretty funny and doesn’t effect your actual climbing experience at all. To the dismay of some, I did not include anything about alpinism or ice climbing because I will never do those things. Choss/Chossy - Rock that is not solid and likely to fall off under pressure. With gravity working directly against you, climbing a roof requires a lot of strength and endurance. Aid Climbing – Ascending a wall by pulling on fixed or temporary pieces of gear rather than climbing under your own Rock climbing is a sport filled with its own unique language, a collection of terms, slang, and jargon that can seem like a foreign language to the newbies. Climbing Terrain Terms . Nov 9, 2017 · Bouldering – a form of rock climbing that consists of climbing up large boulders without a rope. x) portion of the scale is the most common climb grading system used in the US. Less common are 2nd gen hand Also, you can check out this sweet Wikipedia article on climbing words. Glossary of climbing terms relates to rock climbing (including aid climbing, lead climbing, bouldering, and competition climbing), mountaineering, and to ice climbing. Why are There Different Terms for Climbing Moves? Feb 9, 2020 · Not every term is exclusive to climbing, but all are used by climbers. Sending a project? Probably something better left for your day job. Template:CompactTOC 2nd Generation Move A concept popularised by Johnny Dawes, in which the idea is to use momentum to carry you through holds that are too poor to use statically. Dive in to find more words related to bouldering. I included aid climbing even though I’ll probably never do that because I wanted to clear up the difference between free-climbing and free-soloing. Dec 13, 2022 · A large section of this might be called a cave, and these are generally found in bouldering or lead climbing areas. Merci d'avance! Jan 5, 2023 · Matt Samet is a freelance writer and editor based in Boulder, Colorado. Mar 11, 2025 · Buildering: Climbing buildings or urban structures. Beginner Terms. Discover synonyms to bouldering on The Online Slang Dictionary's urban thesaurus. Approach: The approach is the hike to the boulders, often more challenging than expected. Feb 18, 2025 · What are some common climbing slang terms? Some common climbing slang terms include “beta,” which refers to advice or information about a climb, and “crux,” the hardest part of a route. Free soloing is an extremely high-risk and advanced form of rock climbing where the climber ascends a route without any form of protection or safety equipment. Final Thoughts. Not to mention all the strange climbing techniques climbers use (why is that climber hanging like a bat?!) So I just started climbing yesterday and I absolutely fell in love. Feb 15, 2025 · Bouldering has specific terms for techniques, holds, and grading systems. [ 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. The list below will get you up to speed on all the climbing lingo you need to know! Commonly used climbing slang. Training Board A small, steep wooden climbing wall (AKA woodie). Abseil —(pronounced AB-sail) To make a controlled descent on a fixed rope. See rappel. Hopefully, this is a helpful guide for learning the lingo and understanding what other climbers are talking about. "insert a number 4 SLCD before May 15, 2008 · Bouldering problems tend to have names as obscure as racehorses-“Grotesque Old Woman,” “Martini Madness,” and “The Dancing Outlaw” spring to mind-and the list of technical and slang terms used by those in the know is virtually endless. See our list for outside climbing terms: Choss: Something that gets in the way of a clean rock Jun 24, 2024 · Get ready to scale new heights with the lingo that’ll make you a rock climbing insider! As you strap on your harness and chalk up your hands, these 30 must-know terms will transform you from a groundling to a cragmaster. Be aware that several terms can be used as both verbs and nouns. Jul 21, 2023 · If you watched Alex Honnold climbing nearly 3,000 feet of sheer granite without a rope, but you weren’t completely certain what he was talking about half of the time, or if you just got into climbing and you’re looking to improve your crag-slang skills, or even if you’re just curious whether climbing slang is as weird as the words you use in your hobby, then this glossary is for you. Nov 8, 2023 · Rock Climbing Lingo: Common Rock Climbing Slang & Terminologies. Mar 16, 2020 · Climbing Lingo for Outside. Here are some key terms: Beta: Helpful advice or tips for a climb. Jul 11, 2023 · Beta, Crux, Crimp, Send, Free Solo—key rock climbing terms and lingo explained for new climbers, with reference photos for each All the beta you need to send your project and not bail at the crux, whether in the bouldering gym or at your local outdoor crag Aug 2, 2022 · These range from climbing techniques, to equipment, to specific common injuries. Mar 7, 2025 · What do these climbing terms mean!? Don’t worry—you don’t need to know all these terms to start climbing! Most of these words will become familiar as you spend more time in the gym. Other terms include “send,” meaning to complete a climb successfully, and “screamer,” which describes a fall that involves a lot of slack in the A-D. Today, we wanted to walk you through all of the different bouldering terminology specifically for new climbers! For those that do not want to watch the video above, we have prepared a written write-up just for you. Jan 5, 2023 · Matt Samet is a freelance writer and editor based in Boulder, Colorado. Typical of any sport or subculture, rock climbing has its fair share of vocabulary that may seem intimidating at first. The term is typically used in Europe and Australia. If you are beginning to get into the absolutely wonderful world of rock climbing, there is a slight chance that you have encountered a few terms that left you scratching your bucket head. General Terms in Bouldering. Common climbing slang terms Woody. I can just picture Jack carefully placing his beta tape of Kansas City into his betamax recorder and subsequently showing the footage to Freeman on a 4:3 television set. Traverse A problem that travels predominantly sideways. Jun 7, 2024 · Bouldering is hard enough as it is, but understanding bouldering terms and lingo is a challenge in itself! When I first started climbing, I remember getting confused between the names of different holds and body movements that I couldn’t follow along in every conversation. Mar 14, 2021 · Rock climbing being a team sport, you need to have a grasp of the basic lingo to be able to seamlessly (and safely) communicate with other climbers. Chipping - Using tools to alter or create holds. A vertical climb or overhang that includes many different types of holds laid out in a circular pattern so the climber can train endurance, grip work, and general technique. It’s a way to keep climbing fun, light, and full of life. Belayer: the person that manages the rope, protecting the climber against a fall. In this article, you’ll learn 100 common American slang words with their meanings and pictures to make learning easier and more fun. Aug 2, 2024 · Crag: a cliff or rock feature. If you have any other terms you would like added, let us know! Want to get into rock climbing, here are some items you need to start rock climbing for yourself. How 1990s Rifle Laid the Foundation for Hard American Sport Climbing; Chip With Honor: The Art Of Manufacturing Routes With Integrity; It’s Mine! No, It’s Mine! Jun 21, 2022 · And that is how the climbing term originated. Being pumped is a common reason climbers fall off the wall! May 15, 2021 · Like all other sports, rock climbing has its own terminology and jargon. Invented, as the name suggests, to grade routes in the Yosemite Valley, CA. That is why we have prepared a shorter Jan 1, 2024 · Though this article will dabble in the jargon of climbing as well as the slang, certain terms for technical equipment and techniques have been intentionally left out. However, learning some key climbing terms will help you: Communicate better with other climbers Understand gym routes and safety commands I understand literal translations like chalk = craie, but there are many terms specific to climbing plus a lot of slang which I'm struggling to translate such as spotter, belayer, rock over, mantle, flash etc. Whether you’re at the gym or the crag, it’s the language of stoke. 15c (currently the hardest confirmed free climb in the world). Mar 2, 2023 · From technical terms describing equipment and safety measures to slang used by climbers to communicate with each other, understanding rock climbing lingo is essential for both beginners and seasoned climbers. A term commonly used in Europe and Australia. Traverse. I took a brief "intro to climbing" course and we went over the basics as well as several climbing/bouldering terms. Slang words often have special meanings that are different from their regular definitions. The most common example is the double-step dyno, in which higher footholds can be kicked on the way up for an extra boost. Climbing has its own language, full of words with specific meanings that help climbers communicate quickly. A glossary of terms used in bouldering and in this Wiki. In analogy to bouldering this term describes climbing on buildings. Circuit Board aka Systems Board. Starting out in bouldering can feel like learning a new language. Aid (That's Aid Phrase as a joke) Frogged out 'add-on' drills 'blind climbing' drills Aug 2, 2022 · These range from climbing techniques, to equipment, to specific common injuries. In rock climbing, beta can include background information about a route's grade of difficulty (e. Slang’s not just words. what drove the grade), detailed aspects about the crux (e. Mar 6, 2025 · Crimping is rock climbing slang that involves gripping small rock holds with your first pads on your fingers and applying pressure to small edges. Lead: the person leading the climb. Arete – An arete is an exposed corner, sticking outward from the main wall. A simple type of plywood wall that features a combination of either bolt-on holds or screw-on holds. Shouts of encouragement: venga, dale, a la muerte, eso (es), and regional curse words (in Chile: conchatumadre). Learning these words can help you understand native speakers better and sound more natural when you talk. As a new climber, you’re learning the beta for climbing terms A comprehensive guide to bouldering terms, definitions and examples in english. Jan 4, 2024 · Photo by Vincenzo Di Giorgi on Unsplash Free soloing. The guy went really fast, and his speaking voice was extremely soft and hard to hear. Much of the climbing world can, and should only be learnt through experience, for your safety and those around you. It could be guidance on holds, body positioning, or efficient movements. hxrbpzyo qdy flbpfw tsuy hejwmsx ypgekja vykbkc nwe vieuk fnypkaa