This page describes terms and jargon related to climbing and mountaineering. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Rock climbers on Valkyrie at The Roaches in Staffordshire, England. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

American death triangle 

A type of climbing anchor known for its weakness due to the physics of its construction.

Ablation zone 

The area of a glacier where yearly melting meets or exceeds the annual snow fall.

Abseil 

The process by which a climber may descend a fixed rope. Also known as Rappel.

Adze 

A thin blade mounted perpendicular to the handle on an ice axe that can be used for chopping footholds.

Alpine start 

To make an efficient start on a long climb by packing all your gear the previous evening and starting early in the morning, usually well before sunrise.

Altitude sickness 

A medical condition that is often observed at high altitudes. Also known as Acute mountain sickness, or AMS.

Anchor 

An arrangement of one or (usually) more pieces of gear set up to support the weight of a belay or toprope

Approach 

The path or route to the start of a technical climb. Although this is generally a walk or, at most, a scramble it is occasionally as hazardous as the climb itself.

Arête 

An outside corner of rock. Also a method of indoor climbing, in which one is able to use such a corner as a hold. See also dihedral.

Ascend 

To complete a route or problem, sometimes shortened simply to "send".

Ascender 

A device for ascending on a rope.

ATC 

A proprietary type of belay device. (A subtle play on fact that ATC also stands for Air traffic controller.)

The American Death Triangle, also known as the American Triangle[1], Death Triangle or Triangle Anchor[2] is a type of rock climbing Anchor infamous for being extremely weak when compared to other anchors by virtue of the way the forces of the load are magnified on the fixed anchors. ... In British English, abseiling (from the German abseilen, to rope down) is the process of descending on a fixed rope. ... Ice axe 1 â€“ pick 2 â€“ head 3 â€“ adze 4 â€“ leash 5 â€“ leash stop 6 â€“ shaft with rubber grip 7 â€“ spike An ice axe is a multi-purpose mountaineering tool carried by practically every mountaineer. ... Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS) or altitude illness is a pathological condition that is caused by acute exposure to high altitudes. ... Anchor (climbing) An arrangement of one or more pieces of gear set up to support the weight of a belay or toprope. ... In climbing, belaying is the technique of controlling the rope so that a falling climber does not fall very far. ... Top roping is a style of climbing in which the rope runs from the belayer at the foot of the route through a carabiner connected to an anchor at the top of the route and back down to the climber. ... A wide range of equipment is used during Rock climbing. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

B

"B"-grade 

A grading system for bouldering problems, invented by John Gill. Now largely superseded by the "V" grading system.

Back-clipping 

A hazardous mistake that can be made while lead climbing. The belay rope is clipped into a quickdraw in the wrong direction causing an increase in friction on the rope and an increase in the likelihood of the rope becoming unclipped during a fall.

Bail 

To retreat from a climb.

Barn-dooring 

Swinging out from the wall like a door on a hinge.

Belay 

To protect a climber from falling using a rope, friction, and an anchor.

Belay device 

A mechanical device used to create friction when belaying by putting bends in the rope. Many types of belay device exist, including ATC, grigri, Reverso, Sticht plate, eight and tuber. Some belay devices may also be used as descenders. A Munter hitch can sometimes be used instead of a belay device.

Belay slave 

Someone that volunteers for, or is tricked into, repeated belaying duties without partaking in any of the actual climbing.

Bergschrund (or schrund)

A crevasse that forms on the upper portion of a glacier where the moving section pulls away from the headwall. Also called a 'shrund.

Beta 

Advice and/or instructions on how to successfully complete a particular climbing route.

Beta flash 

Ascent of a climb on the first attempt with some knowledge beta of that climb, with no falls or hangdogging. Also see on-sight.

Biner  

See Carabiner.

Bivy (or bivvy)

A camp, or the act of camping, from "bivouac." On a big wall, camp can be made on a natural ledge or an artificial one, generally a cotlike device called a portaledge that hangs from anchors on the wall.

Bivy-bag 

A lightweight garment or sack offering full-body protection from wind and rain.

Bollard 

A large knob of rock or ice used as a belay anchor.

Bolt 

A point of protection permanently installed in a hole drilled into the rock, to which a metal hanger is attached, having a hole for a biner or ring.

Bolt chopping 

The deliberate and destructive removal of one or more bolts.

Bomb-proof anchor 

A totally secure anchor. Also known as a bomber. Anchors are often misclassified as such.

Bouldering 

The practise of climbing on large boulders. Typically this is close to the ground, so protection takes the form of crash pads and spotting instead of belay ropes.

Bump 

To quickly move up a hand or a foot a small distance from one useful hold to another.

Bucket 

A large handhold.

Buildering 

The art of climbing on buildings, which is often illegal.

Buttress 

A prominent feature that juts out from a rock or mountain.

In the sport of bouldering, problems are assigned technical grades according to several established systems, which are distinct from those used in regular climbing. ... A climber with a crash pad on the ground. ... Considered by many as the father of modern bouldering, John Gill established many of the most difficult problems. ... As a nautical term, belaying refers to making a line fast to a cleat, pin or other fixed object. ... To make climbing as safe as possible, most climbers use protection to prevent injury to themselves and others. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Grigri An open Grigri A Grigri (or Gri-gri, Gris-gris) is a hand-sized belay device designed to help secure rock-climbing or rope-acrobatic activities. ... A Reverso is a belay device developed and patented by Petzl, used for example in rock-climbing and other activities which involves rope-work. ... The Münter hitch, also known as the Italian hitch, is a simple knot, commonly used by climbers and cavers as part of a life-lining or belay system. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Bergschrund at the Schnapfenspitze, Austria A Bergschrund (also called rimaye) is a crevasse positioned at the rear of a corrie next to the steep back wall. ... Measuring snowpack in a crevasse on the Easton Glacier, North Cascades, USA A crevasse is a crack or fissure in a glacier or snow field. ... Glacial and Glaciation redirect here. ... A bivouac is a temporary military encampment that is usually formed in an unsheltered area. ... A5 Portaledge A portaledge is a deployable hanging tent system designed for rock climbers who spend multiple days and nights on a big wall climb. ... In climbing, a bolt is a permanent anchor fixed into a hole drilled in the rock, usually consisting of a glued in or expansion bolt to which a hanger is permanently fixed (allowing passing climbers to clip a carabiner to the bolt). ... In climbing, a bolt is a permanent anchor fixed into a hole drilled in the rock, usually consisting of a glued in or expansion bolt to which a hanger is permanently fixed (allowing passing climbers to clip a carabiner to the bolt). ... A climber with a crash pad on the ground. ... To make climbing as safe as possible, most climbers use protection to prevent injury to themselves and others. ... In climbing, belaying is the technique of controlling the rope so that a falling climber does not fall very far. ... A climber ascends a bridge using aid climbing techniques Buildering (also known as urban climbing, structuring, or stegophily) is the act of climbing the outside of buildings and other urban structures. ...

C

Cairn 

A distinctive pile of stones placed to designate a summit or mark a trail above treeline.

Cams 

A spring-loaded device used as protection.

Campus 

The act of climbing without using any feet.

Campus board 

Training equipment used to build finger strength and strong arm lock-offs.

Carabiner 

Metal rings with spring-loaded gates, used as connectors. Also known as crab or biner.

Chalk 

A compound used to improve grip by absorbing sweat. It is actually gymnastics chalk, usually magnesium carbonate. Its use is controversial in some areas.

Chalk bag 

A hand-sized holder for a climber's chalk that is usually carried on a chalkbelt for easy access during a climb.

Chimney 

A rock cleft with vertical sides mostly parallel, large enough to fit the climber's body into. To climb such a structure, the climber often uses his head, back and feet to apply opposite pressure on the vertical walls.

The process of using such a technique.

Chipping 

Improving a hold by permanently altering the rock. Widely used in the 80's and early 90's, but now considered unethical and unacceptable.

Chock 

A mechanical device, or a wedge, used as anchors in cracks.

A naturally occurring stone wedged in a crack.

Choss 

Loose or "rotten" rock.

Classification 

See Grade.

Clawing 

Use of front points of crampons, ice axe pick and ice hammer pick to climb a slope.

Clean 

To remove equipment from a route.

A route that is free of loose vegetation and rocks.

To complete a climb without falling or resting on the rope. Also see redpoint.

In aid climbing, abbreviated "C", a route that does not require the use of a hammer or any invasive addition of protection (such as pitons or copperheads) into the rock (see protection).

Cleaning tool 

A device for removing jammed equipment, especially nuts, from a route. Also known as a nut key.

Climbing area 

A region that is plentiful with climbing routes.

Climbing command 

A short phrase used for communication between a climber and a belayer.

Climbing gym 

Specialized indoor climbing centres. See gym climbing.

Climbing shoe 

Footwear designed specifically for climbing. Usually well fitting, with a rubber sole.

Climbing technique 

Particular techniques, or moves, commonly applied in climbing.

Climbing wall 

Artificial rock, typically in a climbing gym.

Clipping in 

The process of attaching to belay lines or anchors for protection.

Col 

A small pass or "saddle" between two peaks. Excellent for navigation as when standing on one it's always down in two, opposite, directions and up in the two directions in between those.

Cordelette 

A long loop of accessory cord used to tie into multiple anchor points.

Cornice 

An overhanging edge of snow on a ridge.

Couloir 

A steep gully or gorge frequently filled with snow or ice.

Crack climbing 

To ascend on a rock face by wedging body parts into cracks, i.e. not face climbing. See jamming and chimney.

Crag 

A small area with climbing routes, often just a small cliff face or a few boulders.

Crampons 

Metal framework with spikes attached to boots to increase safety on snow and ice.

Cramponing 

Using crampons to ascend or descend on ice, preferably with maximum number of points of the crampon into the ice for weight distribution.

Accidentally piercing something with a crampon spike.

Crank 

To pull on a hold as hard as possible.

Crash pad 

A thick mat used to soften landings or to cover hazardous objects in the event of a fall. See: Bouldering mat

Crater 

Hitting the ground at the end of a fall instead of being caught by the rope.

Crimp 

A small but positive hold, with very little surface area. See also Nub.

The process of holding onto a crimp.

Crux 

The most difficult portion of a climb.

Cut-loose 

Where a climber's feet swing away from the rock on overhanging terrain, leaving the climber hanging only by their hands.

For the magazine see Cairn Magazine. ... A three-cam SLCD manufactured by Metolius. ... To make climbing as safe as possible, most climbers use protection to prevent injury to themselves and others. ... A wide range of equipment is used during Rock climbing. ... A screw lock HMS carabiner A carabiner or karabiner (colloquially: crab, d ring, krab, or biner) is a metal loop with a sprung or screwed gate. ... The Needles,situated on the Isle Of Wight, are part of the extensive Southern England Chalk Formation. ... A chemical compound is a chemical substance of two or more different chemically bonded chemical elements, with a fixed ratio determining the composition. ... Magnesium carbonate, MgCO3, is a white solid that occurs in nature as a mineral. ... Crampons on a ski boot Crampons are outdoor footwear that are made from spikes and are worn on boots to provide traction on snow and ice. ... Ice axe 1 â€“ pick 2 â€“ head 3 â€“ adze 4 â€“ leash 5 â€“ leash stop 6 â€“ shaft with rubber grip 7 â€“ spike An ice axe is a multi-purpose mountaineering tool carried by practically every mountaineer. ... A climbing area is a small geographical region with a concentration of opportunities for climbing. ... A climbing command is a short standard phrase used in climbing to ensure the smooth operation of the climbing system. ... Climbing shoes A climbing shoe is a piece of foot wear that is specifically designed and worn for climbing. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Climbing a rock-textured wall with belay, modular hand holds, incuts, and protrusions A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with grips for hands and feet, used for climbing. ... Col may refer to: the French word for mountain pass a common abbreviation for the military rank colonel This is a disambiguation page, a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ... This article is about the snow formation. ... A couloir (from the French word meaning corridor,) is a formation of snow or ice, often only defined in winter, forming a breach in a cliff-face. ... Look up crag in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Crampons on a ski boot Crampons are outdoor footwear that are made from spikes and are worn on boots to provide traction on snow and ice. ... Crampons on a ski boot Crampons are outdoor footwear that are made from spikes and are worn on boots to provide traction on snow and ice. ... A bouldering mat or crash pad is basically a small mattress used for protection when bouldering. ...

D

Daisy chain 

A special purpose type of sling with multiple sewn, or tied, loops. It is significantly weaker than a normal sling.

Dead hang 

To hang limp, such that weight is held by ligament tension rather than muscles.

Deadman anchor 

An object buried into snow to serve as an anchor for an attached rope. One common type of such an anchor is the snow fluke.

Deadpoint 

A dynamic climbing technique in which the hold is grabbed at the apex of upward motion. This technique places minimal strain on both the hold and the arms.

Deck 

The ground.

To hit the ground, usually the outcome of a fall.

Deep Water Soloing

Free climbing an area that overhangs a deep enough body of water to allow for a safe fall.

Descender 

A device for controlled descent on a rope. Many belay devices may be used as descenders, including ATCs, eights, or even carabiners.

Dialled 

To have complete understanding of a particular climbing move or route.

Diamox 

A drug used to inhibit the onset of altitude sickness. Otherwise known as Acetazolamide.

Dièdre 

A dihedral.

Dihedral 

An inside corner of rock, with more than a 90-degree angle between the faces. See also arête.

Direct aid 

A type of tension climbing consisting of using one or more belay ropes to haul the leader up to the next point of protection.

Downclimb 

To descend by climbing downward, typically after completing a climb.

Dry tooling 

Using tools for ice climbing like crampons and ice axes on rock.

Dulfersitz 

A method of rappelling, without mechanical tools, where the uphill rope is straddled by the climber then looped around a hip, across the chest, over the opposite (weak) shoulder, and held with the downhill (strong) hand to adjust the shoulder friction and thus the descending speed.

Dynamic belay 

Technique of stopping a long fall using smooth braking to reduce stress on the protection points and avoid unnecessary trauma from an abrupt stop.

Dynamic rope 

A slightly elastic rope that softens falls to some extent. Also tend to be damaged less severely by heavy loads. Compare with static rope.

Dynamic motion 

Any move in which body momentum is used to progress. As opposed to static technique where three-point suspension and slow, controlled movement is the rule.

Dyno 

A dynamic move to grab a hold that would otherwise be out of reach. Generally both feet will leave the rock face and return again once the target hold is caught. Non-climbers would call it a jump or a leap.

The elementary meaning of daisy chain is a garland created from the daisy flower, generally as a childrens game. ... A ligament is a short band of tough fibrous connective tissue composed mainly of long, stringy collagen fibres. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... The descenders are the parts of the characters that lie below the baseline, highlighted in red. ... Acetazolamide, sold under the trade name Diamox®, is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that is used to treat glaucoma, epileptic seizures, benign intracranial hypertension and altitude sickness. ... Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS) or altitude illness is a pathological condition that is caused by acute exposure to high altitudes. ... Ice climbing is the recreational activity of climbing ice formations such as icefalls, and frozen waterfalls. ... Crampons with buckled straps Crampons are a framework of spikes that are attached to boots to provide traction on snow and ice. ... Ice axe 1 â€“ pick 2 â€“ head 3 â€“ adze 4 â€“ leash 5 â€“ leash stop 6 â€“ shaft with rubber grip 7 â€“ spike An ice axe is a multi-purpose mountaineering tool carried by practically every mountaineer. ... In British English, abseiling (from the German abseilen, to rope down) is the process of descending on a fixed rope. ... Coils of rope used for long-line fishing A rope (IPA: ) is a length of fibers, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. ...

E

Edge 

A thin ledge on the rock.

Edging 

Using the edge of the climbing shoe on a foothold.

Egyptian 

A climbing technique used to reduce tension in arms while holding a side grip.

Eight-thousander 

A mountain that tops 8,000 metres.

Eliminate 

A term from bouldering describing a move or series of moves in which either certain holds are placed 'off bounds' or other artificial restrictions are imposed.

Exposure 

Empty space below a climber, usually referring to a great distance above the deck through which the climber could fall.

Edging is a climbing technique involving the placement of the very edge (either inside or outside edge) of the climbing shoe on a sharp hold. ... Climbing shoes A climbing shoe is a piece of foot wear that is specifically designed and worn for climbing. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Makalu and Mount Everest as seen from the International Space Station. ... A climber with a crash pad on the ground. ...

F

Face climbing 

To ascend a vertical rock face using finger holds, edges and smears, i.e. not crack climbing.

Fall 

Undesirable downward motion. Hopefully stopped by a rope, otherwise see mountain rescue.

Figure Four 

Advanced climbing technique where the climber hooks a leg over the opposite arm, and then pushes down with this leg to achieve a greater vertical reach. Requires strength and a solid handhold.

Finger board 

Training equipment used to build finger strength.

First ascent 

The first successful completion of a route.

Fist jam 

A type of jam using the hand. See climbing technique.

Fixed rope 

A rope which has a fixed attachment point. Commonly used for abseiling or aid climbing.

Flagging 

Climbing technique where a leg is held in a position to maintain balance, rather than to support weight. Often useful to prevent barn-dooring.

Flake 

A thin slab of rock detached from the main face.

Flapper 

An injury consisting of a piece of loose (flapping) skin. A climber will usually just repair these with sticky tape or super glue.

Flash 

To successfully and cleanly complete a climbing route on the first attempt after receiving beta either by discussing the route or by watching another climber.

Follow 

What the second does.

Fourteener 

Mountain that tops 14,000 feet in the contiguous United States.

Free climbing 

Climbing without unnatural aids, other than used for protection.

Friction 

Climbing technique relying on the friction between the sloped rock and the sole of the shoe to support the climber's weight, as opposed using holds or edges, cracks, etc.

Friend 

A name brand of a type of spring loaded camming device (SLCD), sometimes used to refer to any type of spring loaded camming device.

Flute

A usually insecure fin or flake of rock or ice. This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... In mountaineering in the United States, a fourteener is a mountain that exceeds 14,000 feet (4,267. ... In free solo climbing and bouldering, the climber carries nothing but a chalk bag. ... Friction is the force that opposes the relative motion or tendency toward such motion of two surfaces in contact. ... A three-cam SLCD manufactured by Metolius. ...

G

Gaston 

A type of climbing grip. Best described as a handhold thats is only good from the side, but you must hold it with your elbows pointing out.

Gendarme 

A pinnacle or isolated rock tower frequently encountered along a ridge.

Geneva rappel 

A modified dulfersitz rappel using the hip and downhill arm for friction, rather than the chest and shoulder, offering less complexity, but less friction and less control.

Glacier travel 

walking or climbing on a glacier; a rope is usually used to arrest falls into crevasses, but protection is not used.

Glissade 

A usually voluntary act of sliding down a steep slope of snow.

Gorp 

Trail mix for periodic nibbling to keep high energy level between meals on long climbs or hikes. An acronym for 'Good Ol' Raisins & Peanuts'

Grade 

Intended as an objective measure of the technical difficultly of a particular climb or bouldering problem. More often is highly subjective, however.

A surveying term for referring to the slope of an incline. (Grade (geography))

Grigri 

A belay device designed to be easy to use and safer for beginners because it is self-locking under load. Invented and manufactured by Petzl. Many experienced climbers advocate the use of an atc type device for beginners

Gripped 

Scared. Also over gripping the rock.

Grovel 

To climb with obviously poor style or technique.

A climbing route judged to be without redeeming virtue.

Gumby 

An inexperienced (or unsafe) climber.

Gym climbing 

Climbing indoors, on artificial climbing walls. This is typically for training but many people consider this a worthwhile activity in its own right.

Glacial and Glaciation redirect here. ... Measuring snowpack in a crevasse on the Easton Glacier, North Cascades, USA A crevasse is a crack or fissure in a glacier or snow field. ... To make climbing as safe as possible, most climbers use protection to prevent injury to themselves and others. ... Glissade is the usually voluntary act of descending a steep slope of snow in a controlled manner either for the sheer thrill of the ride and/or to bypass tedious scree. ... A common variety of gorp (trail mix, california mix) made out of peanuts, raisins, and M&Ms. ... In mountaineering and related climbing sports, climbers give a climbing grade to a route that attempts to assess the difficulty and danger of climbing the route. ... In the sport of bouldering, problems are assigned technical grades according to several established systems, which are distinct from those used in regular climbing. ... In topography, the slope of a hill, mountain, road or anything else inclined, is more often referred to as its grade (or, sometimes in the US and usually in the UK, gradient). ... The Grigri An open Grigri A Grigri (or Gri-gri, Gris-gris) is a hand-sized belay device designed to help secure rock-climbing or rope-acrobatic activities. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Petzl is a French manufaturer of climbing gear, caving gear and headlamps, considered to be among the finest in the world. ...

H

HACE 

High Altitude Cerebral Edema - a severe, and often fatal, form of altitude sickness.

Hand traverse 

Traversing without any definitive footholds, i.e. smearing or heelhooking.

Hangdog 

While lead climbing or on top rope, to hang on the rope or a piece of protection for a rest.

Hanging belay 

Belaying at a point such that the belayer is suspended.

HAPE 

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema - a serious form of altitude sickness.

Harness 

See climbing harness. A sewn nylon webbing device worn around the waist and thighs that is designed to allow a person to safely hang suspended in the air.

Haul bag 

A large and often unwieldy bag into which supplies and climbing equipment may be thrown.

Headwall 

The region of a cliff or rock face that steepens dramatically.

Helmet 

Also known as a brain bucket or skid lid. It can save your life, but only while worn.

Hexcentric 

A protective device. It is an eccentric hexagonal nut attached to a wire loop. The nut is inserted into a crack and it holds through counter-pressure. Often just termed Hex.

Hold 

A place to temporarily cling, grip, jam, press, or stand in the process of climbing.

Honed 

To be in peak mental and physical fitness for climbing.

Hook 

Equipment used in aid climbing.

A climbing technique involving hooking a heel or toe against a hold in order to balance or to provide additional support.

High altitude cerebral edema (or HACE) is a severe (frequently fatal) form of altitude sickness. ... Cerebral edema is swelling of the brain which can occur as the result of a head injury, cardiac arrest or from the lack of proper altitude acclimatization. ... Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS) or altitude illness is a pathological condition that is caused by acute exposure to high altitudes. ... High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a life threatening form of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema that occurs in otherwise healthy mountaineers at altitudes above 2500m. ... Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS) or altitude illness is a pathological condition that is caused by acute exposure to high altitudes. ... The term harness has been used for many centuries for part of the collection of equipment known as horse tack, essential in the domestic, military, and agrarian use of horses. ... A climbing harness is a piece of equipment used in certain types of climbing. ... This article is about the headgear. ... A wide range of equipment is used during Rock climbing. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ...

I

Ice axe 

A handy tool for safety and balance, having a pick/adze head and a spike at the opposite end of a shaft.

Ice hammer 

A lightweight ice axe with a hammer/pick head on a short handle and no spike.

Ice screw 

A screw used to protect a climb over steep ice or for setting up a crevasse rescue system. The strongest and most reliable is the modern tubular ice screw which ranges in length from 18 to 23 cm.

Ice piton 

Long, wide, serrated piton once used for weak protection on ice.

Indoor climbing 

See gym climbing.

Ice axe 1 â€“ pick 2 â€“ head 3 â€“ adze 4 â€“ leash 5 â€“ leash stop 6 â€“ shaft with rubber grip 7 â€“ spike An ice axe is a multi-purpose mountaineering tool carried by practically every mountaineer. ... Ice axe 1 â€“ pick 2 â€“ head 3 â€“ adze 4 â€“ leash 5 â€“ leash stop 6 â€“ shaft with rubber grip 7 â€“ spike An ice axe is a multi-purpose mountaineering tool carried by practically every mountaineer. ... Ice screw Ice screw - A screw used to protect a climb over steep ice or for setting up a crevasse rescue system. ... Crevasse rescue is the process of retrieving a climber from a crevasse in a glacier. ... In climbing, a piton (also called a pin or peg) is a steel spike that is driven into a crack or seam in the rock with a hammer, and which acts as an anchor to protect the climber against the consequences of a fall, or to assist progress in aid...

J

Jamming 

Wedging a body part into a crack.

Jug hold 

A large, easily held hold. Also known simply as a jug.

Jumar 

1. A type of mechanical ascender.
2. To ascend a rope using a mechanical ascender.

A Jumar is mechanical device for ascending on a rope, named after the Swiss factory Jümar, and is more generically known as an ascender. ...

K

Klemheist knot 

An alternative to the Prusik knot, useful when the climber is short of cord but has plenty of webbing.

Knots 

Climbers rely on many different knots for anchoring oneself to a mountain, joining two ropes together, slings for climbing up the rope, etc.

The Klemheist knot (or Machard knot)(not the same as the french Prusik) is a type of friction hitch, used as part of a system to ascend or descend a climbing rope. ... Some knots: 1. ...

L

Lead climbing 

A form of climbing in which the climber places anchors and attaches the belay rope as they climb.

Leader Fall 

A fall while Lead climbing. A fall from above the climbers last piece of protection. The falling leader will fall at least twice the distance back to her last piece, plus slack and rope stretch.

Lieback 

Or layback. A climbing move that involves pulling on the hands while pushing on the feet, in opposing directions.

Locking carabiner 

A carabiner with a locking gate, to prevent accidental release of the rope.

The climbing system is a general term for the techniques and equipment used by roped climbers to protect themselves against injury or death if they fall. ... The climbing system is a general term for the techniques and equipment used by roped climbers to protect themselves against injury or death if they fall. ...

M

Mantle 

A move used to surmount a ledge or feature in the rock in the absence of any useful holds directly above. It involves pushing down on a ledge or feature instead of pulling down. In ice climbing, a mantle is done by moving the hands from the shaft to the top of the ice tool and pushing down on the head of the tool.

The external covering of a climbing rope. Climbing ropes use kernmantle construction consisting of a kern (or core) for strength and an external sheath called the mantle.

Match 

To use one hold for two limbs, or to swap limbs on a particular hold.

Moat 

A crevasse that forms where the glacier pulls away from a rock formation.

Mountain rescue 

A friendly team of people that may come and rescue you after an injury or accident. May also search for overdue climbers, at no small peril and expense. Also see coroner and rescue doctrine of negligence law.

Move 

Application of a specific climbing technique to progress on a climb.

Multi-pitch climbing 

Climbing on routes that are too long for a single belay rope.

Munter hitch 

A simple hitch that is often used for belaying without a mechanical belay device. Otherwise known as an Italian hitch or a Friction hitch.

This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... An ice tool with hammer fitted An ice tool is a specialized elaboration of the modern ice axe (and often described broadly as an ice axe itself), used in ice climbing, mostly for the more difficult configurations. ... Coils of rope used for long-line fishing A rope (IPA: ) is a length of fibers, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. ... Kernmantle rope is rope constructed with its interior core (the kern) protected with a woven exterior sheath (mantle) that is designed to optimize strength, durability, and flexibility. ... Measuring snowpack in a crevasse on the Easton Glacier, North Cascades, USA A crevasse is a crack or fissure in a glacier or snow field. ... Mountain rescue refers to search and rescue activities that occur in a mountainous environment, although the term is sometimes also used to apply to search and rescue in other wilderness environments. ... A coroner is either the presiding officer of a special court, a medical officer, or an officer of law responsible for investigating deaths, particularly those happening under unusual circumstances. ... The rescue doctrine of the law of torts holds that, where a tortfeasor creates a circumstance that places the tort victim in danger, the tortfeasor is liable not only for the harm caused to the victim, but also the harm caused to any person injured in an effort to rescue... Negligence is a legal concept usually used to achieve compensation for accidents and injuries. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... The Münter hitch, also known as the Italian hitch, is a simple knot, commonly used by climbers and cavers as part of a life-lining or belay system. ... A hitch is a knot tied in a rope and used to secure that rope to a rigid object. ...

N

Névê 

Permanent granular ice formed by repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

No-hand rest 

An entirely leg-supported resting position during climbing that does not require hands on the rock.

Nub 

A little hold that only a few fingers can grip, or the tips of the toes.

Nunatak 

A mountain or rock that protrudes through an ice field.

Nut 

A metal wedge attached to a wire loop that is inserted into cracks for protection. See hexcentric.

Nut Key 

See Cleaning Tool

Snowflakes by Wilson Bentley, 1902 Ice is the name given to any one of the 14 known solid phases of water. ...

O

Objective danger 

Danger in a climbing situation which comes from hazards inherent in the location of the climb, not depending on the climber's skill level. Most often these involve falling rock or ice, or avalanches.

Off-width 

A crack that is too wide for effective hand or foot jams, but is not as large as a chimney.

On-sight 

A clean ascent, with no prior practice or beta.

Open book 

An inside angle in the rock. See also dihedral.

Overhang 

A section of rock or ice that is angled beyond vertical. See roof.

In climbing, climbing on sight means that a climber is attempting a route that they have never attempted before, nor have they seen anyone else attempt. ...

P

Peak-bagging 

To systematically attain designated summits under prescribed conditions.

Peel 

To fall.

Pendulum 

Swinging on taut rope to reach the next hold in a pendulum traverse.

Pickets 

Long, tubular rods driven into snow to provide a quick anchor.

Picknick stop 

A No-hand rest.

Pinkpoint 

To complete a lead climb without falling or resting on the rope (hangdogging), but with pre-placed protection and carabiners. Also see clean and redpoint.

Pinch Hold 

This is a hold where you must pinch it to hold on. They come in various sizes.

Pitch 

In the strictest climbing definition, a pitch is considered one rope length (50-60 meters). However, in guide books and route descriptions, a pitch is the portion of a climb between two belay points.

Piton 

A flat or angled metal blade of steel which incorporates a clipping hole for a carabiner or a ring in its body. A piton is typically used in "aid-climbing" and an appropriate size and shape is hammered into a thin crack in the rock and preferably removed by the last team member.

Piton catcher 

clip-on string fastened to piton when inserting or removing, so as to avoid loss.

Plunge step 

An aggressive step pattern for descending on hard or steep angle snow.

Positive 

Of a hold or part of a hold, having a surface facing upwards, or away from the direction it is pulled, facilitating use.

Pressure Breathing 

Forcefully exhaling to facilitate O2/CO2 exchange at altitude. Also called the "Whittaker wheeze".

Problem 

Used in bouldering, the path that a climber takes in order to complete the climb. Same as route in roped climbing.

Protection 

Process of setting equipment or anchors for safety.

Equipment or anchors used for arresting falls. Commonly known as Pro.

Prusik 

A knot used for ascending a rope. It is named after Dr Karl Prusik, the Austrian mountaineer who developed this knot in 1931.

To use a Prusik knot for ascending a rope.

Pumped 

To have such an accumulation of lactic acid in the flexor digitalis (forearm), that forming even a basic grip becomes impossible. Often easy activities such as holding a joint become difficult or impossible.

Peak bagging (also hill bagging, mountain bagging, or among enthusiasts, just bagging) is a popular activity for hillwalkers and mountaineers in which they attempt to reach the summit of each peak in a region above some height, or having a particular feature. ... Simple gravity pendulum assumes no air resistance and no friction of/at the nail/screw. ... To make climbing as safe as possible, most climbers use protection to prevent injury to themselves and others. ... A screw lock HMS carabiner A carabiner or karabiner (colloquially: crab, d ring, krab, or biner) is a metal loop with a sprung or screwed gate. ... For other uses, see Pitch A pitch is a significant underground vertical space in mining terminology. ... In climbing, a piton (also called a pin or peg) is a steel spike that is driven into a crack or seam in the rock with a hammer, and which acts as an anchor to protect the climber against the consequences of a fall, or to assist progress in aid... To make climbing as safe as possible, most climbers use protection to prevent injury to themselves and others. ... The prusik knot or prusik hitch is a friction hitch knot most commonly used by climbers for ascending. ... For the production of milk by mammals, see Lactation. ...

Q

Quickdraw 

Used to attach a freely running rope to anchors or chocks. Sometimes called "quickies" or just "draws."

Two quickdraws. ...

R

Rack 

The set of equipment carried up a climb; also, the part of a harness (consisting of several plastic loops) where equipment is hung, ready to be used.

Rappel 

The process by which a climber may descend on a fixed rope using a friction device. Also known as Abseil or roping down..

Rebolting 

The replacement of bolts on an existing climb.

Redpoint 

To complete a lead climb without falling or resting on the rope (hangdogging). Also see clean and pinkpoint.

Rest step 

Energy-saving technique where unweighted (uphill) leg is rested between each forward step, sometimes by "locking" knee of rear leg.

Retro-bolting 

The addition of bolts to an existing climb.

Roof 

Horizontal overhang.

Rope 

A basic item of climbing equipment that literally connects the climber to the belayer.

Route 

The path of a particular climb, or a predefined set of moves.

Runner 

Another term for sling.

Runout 

An inordinate span between two points of protection.

A long portion of a route with minimal protection.

RURP 

Acronym, stands for Realized Ultimate Reality Piton. Miniature, postage-stamp sized piton originally designed by Yvon Chouinard

In British English, abseiling (from the German abseilen, to rope down) is the process of descending on a fixed rope. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Within the rock climbing community, retro-bolting is the addition of new bolts to an existing climb. ... Coils of rope used for long-line fishing A rope (IPA: ) is a length of fibers, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. ... A wide range of equipment is used during Rock climbing. ... In climbing, a piton (also called a pin or peg) is a steel spike that is driven into a crack or seam in the rock with a hammer, and which acts as an anchor to protect the climber against the consequences of a fall, or to assist progress in aid... Yvon Chouinard (born 1938) (in Maine) is a visionary rock climber, environmentalist and outdoor industry businessman, noted for his contributions to climbing, climbing equipment and the outdoor gear business. ...

S

Saddle 

A high pass between two peaks, larger than a col.

Sandbag 

A climb which receives a much lower grade than deserved. A traditionally protected climb can, if undergraded, be very dangerous, and the term sandbag is often said with a note of respectful dread.

Scrambling 

Non-technical climbing; climbing with very poor form.

Screamer 

1. A long and loud fall.
2. A nylon webbing structure consisting of one large loop sewn up in multiple places to make a shorter length. In the event of a fall the sewn sections part, absorbing some of the fall energy and decelerating the climber.

Scree 

Small, loose, broken rocks, often at the base of a cliff.

Second 

A climber who follows the lead, or first, climber.

Self-Arrest 

The act of planting the pick of your ice axe into the snow to arrest a fall in the event of a slip. Also a method of stopping in a controlled glissade.

Send

Cleanly completing a route. ie on-sight, flash, redpoint. Sometimes even on tr.

Serac 

A large ice tower.

Sewing machine leg 

The involuntary vibration of one or both legs resulting from fatigue or panic. Also known as "Elvis Presley Syndrome", or "Disco knee".

Sharp end 

The end of the belay rope that is attached to the lead climber.

Short fixing

The lead climber switches over to self belaying and continues to climb after reaching a belay and fixing the rope. Meanwhile the second climber jugs the fixed rope and cleans the pitch. When he reaches the belay, he ties in and starts to belay the leader in the traditional way again. When the leader reaches the next belay the process is repeated.

Side grip 

A (usually vertical) hold that needs to be gripped with a sideways pull. Often just simply called a "side pull."

Simulclimbing 

A technique where both climbers move simultaneously upward with the leader placing protection which the second removes as they advance. A device known as a Tibloc which allows the rope to only move in a single direction is sometimes used to prevent the second climber from accidentally pulling the lead climber off should the second slip.

Sirdar 

Head Sherpa mountain guide.

Sit start 

Starting a climb from a position in which the climber is sitting on the floor. This is common in climbing gyms in order to fit an extra move into the climb.

Slab 

A relatively low-angle (significantly less than vertical) section of rock, usually with few large features. Requires slab climbing techniques.

Slab climbing 

A particular type of rock climbing, and its associated techniques, involved in climbing rock that is less than vertical. The emphasis is on balance, footwork, and making use of very small features or rough spots on the rock for friction.

Slack 

Portion of rope that is not taught, preferably minimized during belay.

SLCD 

Abbreviation for spring-loaded camming device, a type of protection device. These are better known by the term cam.

Sling 

Webbing sewn, or tied, into a loop.

Sloper 

A sloping hold with very little positive surface. A sloper is comparable to palming a basketball.

Smearing 

To use friction on the sole of the climbing shoe, in the absence of any useful footholds.

Snarg 

A type of tubular ice screw that is inserted by hammering.

Snow fluke 

An angled aluminium plate attached to a metal cable. The fluke is buried into snow, typically used as a deadman anchor.

Solo climbing 

Climbing without any protection (free solo) or setting and cleaning ones own protection on an ascent.

Sport climbing 

A style of climbing where form, technical (or gymnastic) ability and strength are more emphasized over exploration, self-reliance and the exhilaration of the inherent dangers involved in the sport. Sport climbing routes tend to be well protected with pre-placed bolt-anchors and lends itself well to competitive climbing.

Spotting 

An alternative to belaying commonly used during bouldering. A friend of the climber stands beneath them and prevents awkward falls or falls onto hazards.

Static 

Of a style of climbing or specific move, not dynamic.

Static rope 

A non-elastic rope. Compare with dynamic rope.

Stem 

1. The simultaneous use of two widely spaced footholds.
2. Climbing using two faces that are at an angle (<180) to each other.

Sticht plate 

A belay device consisting of a flat plate with a pair of slots. Named after the inventor Franz Sticht.

Stick clip 

A device used in sport climbing to clip the first bolt. This is especially useful if the first bolt is high up, and out of the comfort zone of the climber. A stick clip can be bought, or easily made.

Stopper 

1. A wedge-shaped nut.
2. A knot used to prevent the rope running through a piece of equipment.

Summit 

1. The high point of a mountain or peak.
2. To reach such a high point.

Swami Belt 

A kind of proto- climbing harness consisting of a long length of tubular webbing wrapped several times around the climbers body and secured with a water knot. Largely eschewed today in favor of commercial harnesses.

Swinging-lieback 

A dynamic form of the lieback described above, rotating off one foot while maintaining a grip with that hand, then grabbing a high handhold at the deadpoint of the swing. This move is frequently reversible, unlike more aerial dynos.

Traditional climbing. ... Scrambling on Crib Goch, Snowdonia, Wales Scrambling is a method of ascending rocky faces and ridges. ... Scree or detritic cone is a term given to broken rock that appears at the bottom of crags, mountain cliffs or valley shoulders. ... Seracs in firn at 10000 on the Winthrop Glacier of Mount Rainier in Washington, USA A serac (originally from Swiss French sérac, a crumbly white cheese) is a steep ridge or pillar of ice formed between two crevasses of a glacier. ... A Sirdar is a Sherpa mountain guide who manages all the other Sherpas in a climbing expedition or trekking group. ... The word Sherpa originally referred to an ethnic group from the most mountainous region of Niple, high into the Himalayas (although many of them now live in India). ... Spring loaded camming device in a parallel crack A spring loaded camming device (also SLCD, cam or friend) is a piece of rock climbing or mountaineering protection equipment. ... To make climbing as safe as possible, most climbers use protection to prevent injury to themselves and others. ... Webbing is a strong fabric woven as a flat strip or tube of varying width and fibers often used in place of rope. ... Edging is a climbing techniqueinvolving the placement of the very edge (either inside or outside edge) of the climbing shoe on a sharp hold. ... Climbing shoes A climbing shoe is a piece of foot wear that is specifically designed and worn for climbing. ... Sport climbing is a style of rock climbing that relies on permanent anchors fixed to the rock, especially bolts, for protection. ... Coils of rope used for long-line fishing A rope (IPA: ) is a length of fibers, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... A topographical summit is a point on a surface which is higher in elevation than all points immediately adjacent to it. ... A climbing harness is a piece of equipment used in certain types of climbing. ... hunters bend step by step Hunters bend, also known as riggers bend or a water knot, is a knot used to secure two lines. ... The term harness has been used for many centuries for part of the collection of equipment known as horse tack, essential in the domestic, military, and agrarian use of horses. ...

T

Talus 

Large rock fragments forming an often unstable slope below scree.

Teabagging 

When, after a whipper, or long fall, a climber falls past their belayer, who is generally lifted up off the ground.

Technical climbing 

Climbing involving a rope and some means of protection, as opposed to scrambling or glacier travel.

Tension 

A technique for maintaining balance using a taught rope through a point of protection.

Thrutching 

Bad technique or 'body climbing' specifically at Mount Arapiles

Top rope 

To belay from a fixed anchor point above the climb.

Top-out

To complete a route by ascending over the top of the structure being climbed.

Traditional climbing 

A style of climbing that emphasizes the adventure and exploratory nature of climbing. While sport climbers generally will use pre-placed protection, many traditional (or "trad") climbers will place their own protection as they climb, generally with a rack.

Tramming 

A technique that is typically used while cleaning gear from a steep route. A quickdraw is clipped between the climber's harness and the rope that is threaded through the gear. As the climber is lowered by the belayer, they will descend along the line of the gear.

Traverse 

To climb in a horizontal direction.

A feature of a route that allows relatively easy progress in a horizontal direction.

A Tyrolean traverse is crossing a chasm using a rope anchored at both ends.

A pendulum traverse involves swinging from a protection point.

Tricam 

A piece of rock climbing protection.

Tuber 

A belay device.

Tufa 

A limestone formation, like a stalactite attached to the wall. eg "Mega Tufa Wall", Mallorca

In rock climbing, a whipper is an especially hard or dynamic fall where the rope is weighed by a significant load. ... In climbing, belaying is the technique of controlling the rope so that a falling climber does not fall very far. ... To make climbing as safe as possible, most climbers use protection to prevent injury to themselves and others. ... Scrambling on Crib Goch, Snowdonia, Wales Scrambling is a method of ascending rocky faces and ridges. ... Mount Arapiles is a rock formation that rises 369 metres above the Wimmera plains in western Victoria, Australia. ... Traditional climbing. ... Two quickdraws. ... A range of tricams A Tricam is a type of climbing protection equipment, produced by Italian firm C.A.M.P.. It is a passive or active device consisting of a shaped aluminium block attached to a length of webbing tape. ...

U

Undercling 

A hold or flake that is upside down.

V

"V"-grade 

A technical grading system for bouldering problems, invented by John Sherman.

Verglas 

A thin coating of ice that forms over rocks when rainfall or melting snow freezes on rock. Hard to climb on as crampons have insufficient depth for reliable penetration.

In the sport of bouldering, problems are assigned technical grades according to several established systems, which are distinct from those used in regular climbing. ... A climber with a crash pad on the ground. ... John Sherman (born 1959), nicknamed Verm (short for Vermin) is an American climber and a pioneering boulderer. ... Crampons on a ski boot Crampons are outdoor footwear that are made from spikes and are worn on boots to provide traction on snow and ice. ...

W

Wand 

A bamboo stick with a small flag on top used to mark paths over glaciers and snow fields.

Webbing 

Hollow and flat nylon strip, mainly used to make runners and slings.

Webelette 

A piece of webbing with eyes sewn into the ends which can be used in place of a cordelette.

Weighting 

As in, "weighting the rope." Any time the rope takes the weight of the climber. This can happen during a minor fall, a whipper (long fall), or simply by resting while hanging on the belay rope (see also hangdogging.)

Whipper 

A lead fall from above and to the side of the last clip, whipping oneself downwards and in an arc. Has come to be the term for any fall beyond the last placed or clipped piece of protection.

Wired 

To have the moves required for completing a climb memorized. See dialled.

Wires 

A slang term for nuts.

Woodie 

A home made climbing wall. Often specifically a hybrid between a climbing wall and a fingerboard. Specifically called such because of the wooden panels (usually left unpainted) used to attach the climbing holds to.

Diversity Around 91 genera and 1,000 species Subtribes Arthrostylidiinae Arundinariinae Bambusinae Chusqueinae Guaduinae Melocanninae Nastinae Racemobambodinae Shibataeinae See the full Taxonomy of the Bambuseae. ... Glacial and Glaciation redirect here. ... Webbing is a strong fabric woven as a flat strip or tube of varying width and fibers often used in place of rope. ... In rock climbing, a whipper is an especially hard or dynamic fall where the rope is weighed by a significant load. ... In rock climbing, a whipper is an especially hard or dynamic fall where the rope is weighed by a significant load. ...

X

Y

Yosemite Decimal System 

A numerical system for rating the difficulty of walks, hikes, and climbs in the United States. The rock climbing (5.x) portion of the scale is the most common climb grading system used in the US. The scale runs from 5.0 to 5.15a (as of 2005)

Yabo 

Another name for a Sit start, a 'Yabo start' was named after John 'Yabo' Yablonski^[1].

The Yosemite Decimal System is a numerical system for rating the difficulty of walks, hikes, and climbs, primarily used for mountaineering in the United States. ... In mountaineering and related climbing sports, climbers give a climbing grade to a route that attempts to assess the difficulty and danger of climbing the route. ...

Z

Z-clipping 

Clipping into an anchor with the segment of rope from beneath the previous anchor, resulting in an unsafe configuration of the belay rope.

Zipper fall 

A fall in which each piece of protection fails in turn.

Z-pulley 

A particular configuration of rope, anchors, and pulleys typically used to extricate a climber after falling into a crevasse.

Measuring snowpack in a crevasse on the Easton Glacier, North Cascades, USA A crevasse is a crack or fissure in a glacier or snow field. ...

References

1. ^ Carl Ockier. The climbing dictionary. Retrieved on 2007-02-20.

Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... February 20 is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• List of climbing topics — A list of articles relating to climbing and mountaineering.
• Climbing equipment — Article describing equipment used by climbers.
• Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills

This is a list articles related to climbing and mountaineering. ... A wide range of equipment is used during Rock climbing. ... 7th edition cover Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills is often considered the standard textbook for mountaineering and climbing. ...

External links

• Mountainzone glossary A-L and Mountainzone glossary M-Z
• Climbing glossary from the US
• Climbing dictionary from Germany
• Glossary from the UK