Climbing terminology slang The term breaking beta designates when a climber is able to bypass or skip a whole sequence of moves (e. The term “beta” quickly became the go-to slang for the how-to in climbing. There are unlimited slang terms that different people use in different types of climbing. May 15, 2021 · Like all other sports, rock climbing has its own terminology and jargon. Advanced climbers should master technical terms and grip terminology. Boulder Problem: A short, free-climbing route (typically 6–15 feet) that climbers climb without a rope. Usually, these terms will be used when you are asking how to complete a problem. Approaches can be anything from a paved 5-minute walk from the parking lot to the crag, to a 20-minute hike on a maintained trail, to a full-day, off-trail scramble across forest and talus. So you could probably guess that the column’s “18 New Climbing Slang Terms” isn’t meant to be taken seriously. Jan 10, 2021 · Aid Climbing: To ascend a rock face using only the rope, bolts, foot slings, and other pieces of gear, instead of the rock features. 0 (the easiest climbing, sometimes referred to as “a ladder”) and 5. Jun 21, 2022 · Beta is a climbing term used when information is consumed about a boulder problem or climbing route that will be helpful towards an ascent. In this list, we will explore some of the most common rock climbing terms and phrases used in the sport. Always risky. Dihedral – A dihedral is a contained corner, nestled inward from the main wall. A term for climbing equipment in general. Corner A feature formed where two planes meet at roughly right angles (AKA dihedral). May Mar 23, 2018 · Whether you’re new to the sport or well versed in climbing, there may be some words you may not understand. Mar 11, 2025 · Knowing climbing slang helps you communicate on the wall. Crux: The toughest part of the climb, where strength, focus, and technique are So I just started climbing yesterday and I absolutely fell in love. Basically any time you use something other than your own body strength and technique. Also known as V-thread. This glossary was originally put together by Chris Bate and Charles Arthur and, subsequently, many others. gear. Jun 18, 2024 · Welcome to the wild and wonderful world of rock climbing! As you embark on this exciting journey, you’ll come across a unique lingo that might sound like a foreign language at first. A type of climbing in which you use only your hands and feet to ascend a rock face. The apex of the body trajectory in a dynamic movement Jun 7, 2024 · Free Solo – A style of climbing with no ropes where falling is almost certain death or serious injury. But the list of semi-satirical terminology does reveal more about the sport’s culture than you might expect. Terms like crux and beta are used daily by us climbers. Oct 10, 2012 · Both sport climbing and traditional climbing are types of lead climbing. Although the idea of carrying a sandbag while climbing can be akin to the added difficulty of a sandbagged climb. Core The muscles of the stomach, lower back and legs. (This soon was overtaken by the VHS format) Mileski would share these tapes of himself climbing with his friends. Whipper: Enduring a very large fall, usually while leading. Second: the person following the lead up. Opposite of free climbing. gear loop. By Andrew Bisharat. Pitch – A single rope length. Beginners should learn basic climbing words first. Deadpoint. The guy went really fast, and his speaking voice was extremely soft and hard to hear. Loops at the side of the harness for storing climbing gear. That is why we have prepared a shorter May 3, 2022 · Rock Climbing Terrain Terms Approach. Can be in the form of quickdraws on bolts to make a top rope anchor, accessory cord, or equipment placed anywhere on a route. Oct 8, 2024 · Instead of overwhelming you with the entire glossary of climbing terms, we’re giving you just enough to get you started. 29. Understanding what they’re talking about can help you feel like a part of the climbing world! Pumped. Aid climbing Glossary of climbing terms relates to rock climbing (including aid climbing, lead climbing, bouldering, and competition climbing), mountaineering, and to ice climbing. Chalk. 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. It could be guidance on holds, body positioning, or efficient movements. using a dyno). 2. The grip maintains friction against a hold by pressing outward toward the elbow. That’s climbing above deep water with no gear. ("Should I cross with my left hand, or bump with my right?") v. Feb 25, 2025 · Climbing Slang. Pinkpoint and redpoint refer to the degree the route has been set up. Aug 25, 2022 · Yosemite Decimal System– The standard grading scale in the US for free climbing routes. Feb 10, 2024 · Rock Climbing Terms You'll Hear In A Climbing Gym Indoor rock climbing has exploded in popularity over the past decade, with modern climbing gyms popping up in cities across the country. And although this list of rock climbing terms is certainly not definitive, it’s a good place to start. Deep water soloing. Trad Climbing: Short for traditional climbing, this style involves placing and removing protection (like cams and nuts) as you climb, rather than relying on fixed anchors. Jul 11, 2023 · Beta, Crux, Crimp, Send, Free Solo—key rock climbing terms and lingo explained for new climbers, with reference photos for each On paper, rock climbing sounds quite simple – climb up a rock face either with or without ropes and safety gear. Spend enough time echoing the rhythms of the climbing gym and you'll inevitably find yourself fluently speaking this language. Climbing Terrain Terms . 7 min read Published on 02/21/2017 · 2:17 May 23, 2020 · The first few times rock climbing outdoors, I would meet see some climbers at the crag and during our conversation they would slip in a word or two that I have never heard of like a hand jam. 47 rock climbing terms for beginners that you should know. Note, dyno could be added here, as well as some other terms higher up. Climbing without gear (other than shoes and chalk bag). Mar 14, 2021 · A heightened interest in the sport in recent years has brought new climbers who are enthusiastic to learn the sport but are clueless, and often frustrated when it comes to mastering rock climbing terminology. Feb 13, 2025 · Learn all about climbing terms and slang that help you understand this exciting sport! Rock climbing and bouldering come with specific terms that climbers need to know. There will be words from activities like: Rock Climbing, mulit-pitch climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing, dry-tooling, ski-touring, trekking, alpine climbing, and high altitiude climbing. Lead: the person leading the climb. com Nov 8, 2023 · We’ve broken down tons of essential rock-climbing slang and terminology into easy-to-understand categories to help you become more comfortable with the terms. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this fun and light-hearted glossary of climbing terms. 15c (currently the hardest confirmed free climb in the world). 28. DWS. Gareth Rees made all the entries interlink. Mar 20, 2025 · Yosemite Decimal System– The standard grading scale in the US for free climbing routes. Free climbing is climbing with a rope to protect yourself, and climbing with only your body to get you up. Climbing has its own language, full of words with specific meanings that help climbers communicate quickly. SIDEPULL Method for gripping a vertical edge that entails pulling with the hand and pushing with the feet. g. Now you can take what we have given you here and go headfirst into a climbing conversation you may not ever contemplate leading. This glossary originally came from Chris Bate's excellent Guide to Cyprus (still unpublished damn) which contained most of the definitions here. Chimney Big enough for a climber to fit inside, a chimney is a May 4, 2022 · RUNOUT The climbing term for being far above your last piece of protection. Can I Start Climbing Without Knowing All These Terms? Go to the climbing gym and listen to the teenagers or early 20s climbers talk. Invented, as the name suggests, to grade routes in the Yosemite Valley, CA. With gravity working directly against you, climbing a roof requires a lot of strength and endurance. The hike to a climbing area, or to the base of a specific route, is the approach. ” Friction – Friction climbing is a style where you rely on the friction of your hands and feet to stay on the wall, usually with small holds. If outdoor lingo is your thing, or you’re just getting in all sorts of outdoor activities, then these articles might help you get to grips with some key bits of Aug 2, 2024 · Crag: a cliff or rock feature. This unique dialect is a mix of dictionary-defined words and insider jargon, filled with terms like 'crux' and 'beta'. Aid climbing Dec 13, 2022 · A large section of this might be called a cave, and these are generally found in bouldering or lead climbing areas. All the styles of climbing listed above are types of free climbing. Free soloing is free climbing without a rope to protect you. As a beginner stepping into one of these gyms for the first time, you'll likely hear climbers tossing around terms that sound like a foreign language if you've Oct 25, 2023 · There are different ways to do a rock climbing route or boulder, and using the correct term when you talk about your own ascents (or those done by others) gives important context. Dec 6, 2017 · Related: Unsent—10 New Slang Terms for Climbing Gear; Beach Bash (n. This week, many of climbing's best will compete in Utah. “I picked up a couple gobies whipping on my proj,” sounds like nonsense to the general population. 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 These terms will likely evolve over time and more terms will take their place. The system follows a scale that begins at 5. Dyno climbing term originates from the word “dynamic”. A movement where the hand (or foot) horizontally passes the other hand (or foot). Match : To place both hands on the same hold at the same time. A lot of the language used to describe climbing has nothing to do with safety or security, it is just a way to show endearment and enthusiasm for the sport. I took a brief "intro to climbing" course and we went over the basics as well as several climbing/bouldering terms. ) 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. Ablation zone The area of a glacier where yearly melting meets or exceeds the annual snow fall. Belayer: the person that manages the rope, protecting the climber against a fall. Being a beginner and mostly in part being completely enthralled with climbing, I did not take notice much of all of this climbing terminology and slang. The term is often used in contrast with a "bump", to clarify how to approach the next hold. Jul 23, 2023 · To help you keep up or show off to your friends, we’ve selected 100 important rock climbing terms that every climber should know with very simple definitions. Oct 10, 2020 · Runout: The climbing term for being far above your last piece of protection. 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. This is what will determine the length and scare factor of a fall. It is a committed movement where the climbers’ feet will leave the wall to dyno to the next climbing hold. Gym: indoor climbing wall. A climber ascends an arete. 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. Types of Beta Aug 22, 2023 · The climbing world has an abundance of terms that would leave any layman looking with confusion. Crag A generic term for a climbing or bouldering area. Jan 4, 2024 · If you’re looking to get in on the action but don’t know what some of those strange phrases you hear at the crag actually mean, here are 40+ rock climbing terms that you should have on your radar. 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. Jan 27, 2022 · Instead, take the short route to send city — er, find the definition you’re looking for faster — with GearJunkie’s dirtbag-compiled glossary of climbing terms. Final Thoughts. Much of the climbing world can, and should only be learnt through experience, for your safety and those around you. SEND Climbing term for climbing a route without falling or resting on gear. I’ll also list types of climbing holds as well. But there’s a serious lack of slang when it comes to climbing gear. Will aid in supporting wearers feet while allowing climbers to use smaller footholds more effectively. So if you are new to climbing, or hear a term you don’t know, you can come back here and find out exactly what it means. Bouldering Glossary. Tight fitting, rubber sole covered shoes. Get ready to impress your climbing bud Jun 7, 2023 · Mileski would videotape himself climbing using a video cassette recording format known as Betamax. Placement – A space in the rock into which traditional gear can fit. There is also a double dyno which involves both hands catching two holds 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. Chalk is a white powder used to absorb sweat from hands to allow better grip while climbing. Bouldering’s got its own language, a kind of secret code that binds climbers together. We used the additional source to aid in spotting key terms. Common climbing slang terms Woody. May 19, 2014 · A Abalakov thread A type of abseiling point used especially in winter and ice climbing. See full list on rei. Crusher: One who climbs hard. Multi-Pitch : A climb that is too long for the leader’s rope and is therefore split into separate pitches, or individual, shorter climbs. Jun 12, 2023 · I know I have once or twice, and I’m still learning new terms all the time. 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. To do the movement described above. Common Rock Climbing Terminology Explained Feb 9, 2020 · Pinkpoint – Climbing a route with no takes or falls, on pre-placed gear. Spur: A rock or snow rib on a mountain, a lateral ridge. Mar 6, 2025 · This climbing term plays a vital role, as it’s used to attach the climber to the rope, anchor points, and various gear placements. Here are some key terms: Beta: Helpful advice or tips for a climb. General Terms. . 1. Jan 15, 2021 · The term isn’t to be confused with actually using a sandbag while belaying – commonly used in gyms when you have a heavier climber. Each term you learn is a step towards becoming a proficient climber, and that’s something to be proud of. Single pitch routes are usually half the length of a single rope. Abseiling. All of the terms we’ll cover here refer to a climber climbing a route clean, meaning without falls and without resting on the rope. 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. (See Slab) Sport climbing: Climbing a bolted rock route (sport route), a type of climbing with some of its own terminology. SHOCK LOAD A force exerted on an anchor when weight is suddenly dropped onto it. n. It’s true, our sport has a lot of slang. The jokes are aimed at the bulk of climbers and their climbing lives, so expect to chuckle about your own gym 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. In an effort to make our sport even less accessible, I’ve devised the 10 terms below. Climbing Shoes. Here's what you should know about it. You’ll be sure to pick up a few things. For example, at a boulder gym, an experienced climber might approach you when they see you struggle and ask “do you want the beta?”. Although not a bouldering term, it is closely related to “Highball. Not to mention all the strange climbing techniques climbers use (why is that climber hanging like a bat?!) A climbing grip using one hand with the thumb down and elbow out, often thought of as a reverse side pull. You’ll learn some of the most used terms, like these: Anchor Belay Crag Free Solo Lead Pitch Rappel Sport Climbing Trad Climbing . Keep scrolling for the full list of common climbing terms… Aid Climbing Jul 18, 2023 · As a climber, you join an exclusive club of adventurers who communicate in a cryptic code of their own. Compression A technique for climbing symmetrical features by placing a hand (or foot) on either side and pulling hard to hold the body in place. gendarme Mar 16, 2020 · Other Rock Climbing Terms – Types of Moves. 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. Cams are crucial for trad climbing. Any doubts? Please ask in the comments section. 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. Dec 8, 2023 · Climbing Slang. Applies mostly to trad climbing, the term is out of fashion in sport climbing. Apr 11, 2014 · Here you will find lot of climbing terms, mountaineering slang, glossary, dictionary and lot of information about climbing :-). Mar 7, 2025 · Climb: General term for any climbing route or boulder problem, regardless of its difficulty or type. Being pumped is a common reason climbers fall off the wall! Feb 21, 2017 · An Intro to Rock Climbing Terminology. I’m going to detail every piece of climbing terminology/jargon that I know or can find. It will take time, but here are our top terms you should know when starting out in rock climbing. Learn these rock climbing terms to sound like an in-the-know pro. 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. Jun 24, 2024 · “Whipper,” “Dyno,” and “Chicken Wing” are some funny Rock Climbing terms that add a touch of humor to the sport, describing dramatic falls, dynamic moves, and awkward jamming techniques, respectively. But, there’s one terminology that often leaves climbers scratching their heads in bewilderment, their muscles aching from an unexpected challenge, and their spirits ignited with a renewed Feb 16, 2022 · To help you get started, here are some common climbing terms from the rock climbing community. Climbing Terms Explained A May 12, 2023 · Climbing slang. [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. In addition to technical rock climbing terms, there’s lots of slang that climbers can use. Let’s ease the burden by explaining some of the lingo commonly used by rock climbers. Other terms include “send,” meaning to complete a climb successfully, and “screamer,” which describes a fall that involves a lot of slack in the May 20, 2024 · A mechanical piece of climbing protection that expands within a crack in the rock to secure the climber. Sport Climbing: The derived term spraying beta designates when a third party begins to impart unwanted beta without being asked for it (which can ruin an onsight attempt). Arete – An arete is an exposed corner, sticking outward from the main wall. A term used interchangeably with rappelling, mainly in the UK and European countries. Jun 24, 2016 · We go through this every month. Other types of rock climbing terms that boulderers use are in relation to movements, or types of moves they should be engaging in. Aid climbing is when you use ladders, cams, slings, etc to ascend a route. Anchor: A point of attachment for the climbing rope. And yet, there are so many different terms used in the climbing community to describe all sorts of different features to rock climbing. This is where the climber makes a dynamic move using momentum to reach the next climbing hold. A simple type of plywood wall that features a combination of either bolt-on holds or screw-on holds. Master these; you’ll be talking beta with all the crushers soon. Free climbing. iurug ssw yudlb uoqw vqwzzai ess zzcnrj kdws fnnggn bzztn