Bouldering terms slang.

Bouldering terms slang If you’ve ever heard climbers talk about “sending a project,” “dyno-ing to a jug,” or “crimping through the crux,” you might feel like they’re speaking another language. Being pumped is a common reason climbers fall off the wall! It can be easy to be bamboozled by the seemingly impenetrable climbing-babble you sometimes hear at the crag or climbing wall. Trad climbing is another name for traditional climbing (see Traditional Climbing). Feb 9, 2020 · Not every term is exclusive to climbing, but all are used by climbers. 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. “Approach” means the hike that leads to the crag or climbing area. 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. Crux: The toughest part of the climb, where strength, focus, and technique are In analogy to bouldering this term describes climbing on buildings. x) portion of the scale is the most common climb grading system used in the US. Chipping - Using tools to alter or create holds. That is why we have prepared a shorter 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. mountainzone. 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. Aug 25, 2022 · Yosemite Decimal System– The standard grading scale in the US for free climbing routes. 2) Short for “trad gear,” or protection that can be placed and removed As an amateur climber, it only makes sense to cover an interesting climbing slang: gumby. 0 (the easiest climbing, sometimes referred to as “a ladder”) and 5. If you’ve been to the rock gym once or twice already, you know that climbers have quite colorful vocabularies. 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. Oct 10, 2012 · Rock Climbing Lingo for Noobs. Rock Climbing These are the Rock Climbing Terms, Definitions, Slang and other words currently stored in our Rock Climbing Dictionary. Most of it is pretty funny and doesn’t effect your actual climbing experience at all. 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. May 3, 2022 · Lead Climbing. Understanding what they’re talking about can help you feel like a part of the climbing world! Pumped. Nov 9, 2017 · Bouldering – a form of rock climbing that consists of climbing up large boulders without a rope. Although the idea of carrying a sandbag while climbing can be akin to the added difficulty of a sandbagged climb. With so much rock climbing slang and funny climbing terms, it can be hard to understand anything that a climber says at first. With rock climbing growing in popularity, and reaching mainstream audiences, more terms and slang will appear, it’s only a matter of time. Choss/Chossy - Rock that is not solid and likely to fall off under pressure. The term is typically used in Europe and Australia. Beginner Terms. climbing news group we find the entry 1995 entry: >I'm curious about the origins of the phrase "send it" that >has appeared in recent postings, such "Mr. And believe it or not, most of them are actually used pretty often. com Glossary of climbing terms May 4, 2022 · ICE CLIMBING Ascending frozen ice by using special ice axes and crampons. 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. Abseil – See Rappel. An ice climber using crampons on his feet and ice axes in his hands to ascent the inside of a glacier. The list below will get you up to speed on all the climbing lingo you need to know! Commonly used climbing slang. Arete – An arete is an exposed corner, sticking outward from the main wall. ” **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. This is only a guide from my experiences. A. A-D. 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. There is very little to no information that can be found about when the term ‘sandbag’ or ‘sandbagging’ was first adopted in climbing. Whether you’re at the gym or the crag, it’s the language of stoke. 0 and is open-ended on the harder end. 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 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. Flashing a route? Sounds inappropriate. It’s a way to keep climbing fun, light, and full of life. "insert a number 4 SLCD before 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. In a climbing gym, this refers to the holds placed which are required to be used to complete 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, 2024 · A guide to rock climbing terms, including equipment, moves, climbing styles and slang used by seasoned climbers. Climbing Glossary Climbing glossary A-L on climb. Hopefully, this is a helpful guide for learning the lingo and understanding what other climbers are talking about. Accessory cord —Nylon, Kevlar® or Spectra® cord sold in a range of diameters, typically smaller than those of climbing ropes. Here are some key terms: Beta: Helpful advice or tips for a climb. Example use: “I don’t want to go bouldering because I’m scared to break my ankles. Undercling. [ 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. Even though they sound similar, free climbing and free soloing are two very different things. Starting out in bouldering can feel like learning a new language. So I just started climbing yesterday and I absolutely fell in love. Hotshot sends A Real >Tough Climb. Abseil —(pronounced AB-sail) To make a controlled descent on a fixed rope. 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. Free climbing sport climbing= escalada deportiva routes= rutas boulder problems= rutas de boulder (búlder) it's a hard route= ¡es una ruta difícil! In Slang= ¡es una ruta muy perra! it's an easy route= es una ruta sencilla. 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. 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. It requires precise finger strength and control Dec 6, 2017 · Related: Unsent—10 New Slang Terms for Climbing Gear; Beach Bash (n. Also, you can check out this sweet Wikipedia article on climbing words. 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. Ice climbing is less popular than rock climbing, and typically more dangerous due to the unpredictable nature of ice, which can break without warning. Traverse. 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. Other terms include “send,” meaning to complete a climb successfully, and “screamer,” which describes a fall that involves a lot of slack in the Aug 2, 2022 · These range from climbing techniques, to equipment, to specific common injuries. Variant: Undercut. I felt like I was listening to a different language! There is an inordinate amount of terms related 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. "you need to use your left hand, not your right"), the climbing style needed (e. The Climbing Dictionary Climbing dictionary: English to French and Italian. Arete- The corner of a rock face. 15c (currently the hardest confirmed free climb in the world). In slang= está papa it gets really hard up there= se pone difícil/perro allá arriba 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. Route: a pre-planned way of reaching the top of a climb. Jul 13, 2022 · What is the origin of the word Sandbag in climbing? The term ‘sandbag’ in climbing was popularized by climbers who would imagine climbing a route with a sandbag attached to their harness. 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 rock climbing, beta can include background information about a route's grade of difficulty (e. The guy went really fast, and his speaking voice was extremely soft and hard to hear. Common climbing slang terms Woody. Gumby is a semi-derogatory term used on beginner climbers who are not familiar with climbing safety practices due to their inexperience. what drove the grade), detailed aspects about the crux (e. See full list on topbouldering. Some folk love to use bouldering jargon that can feel awkward to ask about if you don't know it. 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. A term commonly used in Europe and Australia. May 15, 2021 · Like all other sports, rock climbing has its own terminology and jargon. com 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. C an be sharp or rounded. 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. Bouldering Essentials is packed with clear, practical advice for everyone interested in bouldering whether a complete beginner looking to learn the basics, an indoor climber keen to start bouldering outdoors or an experienced boulderer who wants to explore advanced topics such as dynamics, strategy, tactics, training and highballing. 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. REALLY not good climbing style. 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. 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. I took a brief "intro to climbing" course and we went over the basics as well as several climbing/bouldering terms. . The most common example is the double-step dyno, in which higher footholds can be kicked on the way up for an extra boost. Mar 7, 2025 · Climbing has its own unique language, full of technical jargon and slang that might seem confusing at first. Shouts of encouragement: venga, dale, a la muerte, eso (es), and regional curse words (in Chile: conchatumadre). Anchor A piece of Gear used in a 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. 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. You’ll be sure to pick up a few things. I'm interested in learning the Jargon personally because slang is always pretty fascinating to me (novel at the least). Why are There Different Terms for Climbing Moves? Jan 4, 2024 · Photo by Vincenzo Di Giorgi on Unsplash Free soloing. Mar 18, 2025 · Climbing slang. Slang’s not just words. “crag” is a term used to describe pretty much any outdoor climbing area (usually sport or trad, not so much bouldering). Glossary of climbing terms relates to rock climbing (including aid climbing, lead climbing, bouldering, and competition climbing), mountaineering, and to ice climbing. The scale starts with the easiest grades at 5. To the dismay of some, I did not include anything about alpinism or ice climbing because I will never do those things. But a few key terms can make all the difference. Less common are 2nd gen hand Feb 16, 2022 · Trad Climbing. See rappel. Circuit Board aka Systems Board. long reaches or tiny crimps), the best way to protect the route (e. Like many activities, climbing has a language of its own with terms to describe sub-genres of the sport, body movements, ways of holding on to the rock and styles of ascent. 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. May 19, 2014 · The rock climbing (5. Dihedral – A dihedral is a contained corner, nestled inward from the main wall. looking at rec. Sending a project? Probably something better left for your day job. Back in the 80s when Betamax cassettes were used to record rock climbing. 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. 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. ROCK CLIMBING TERMS. butterfly knot. Mar 23, 2018 · Whether you’re new to the sport or well versed in climbing, there may be some words you may not understand. 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 Feb 21, 2017 · Free climbing is a general term that simply means you are relying on your hands and feet -- not gear -- to ascend a wall (you are equipped with gear as a safety precaution, however). (Photo: Getty Images) Like auf geht's isn't directly come on, nor is allez or venga, but if you ever seen a North American bouldering video, you'll certainly have seen the crowd of spotters yelling "come on!" and would know your languages equivalent. A double figure of eight loop often used to clip into anchors with 2 carabiners. Here are the basic climbing terms to get you going, in alphabetical order: 1 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 Sep 30, 2014 · Here is a list of slang words/climbing terms that I might use in this blog. A simple type of plywood wall that features a combination of either bolt-on holds or screw-on holds. It could be guidance on holds, body positioning, or efficient movements. bunny ears. Undercling refers to any hold used by turning your palm upside-down, as if receiving alms, and walking the feet up. Nov 8, 2023 · Rock Climbing Lingo: Common Rock Climbing Slang & Terminologies. 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 8, 2023 · Climbing Slang. In the past few decades, climbing has exploded, and a distinct climbing subculture has formed, complete with its own unique jargon. 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. 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). 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. The system follows a scale that begins at 5. Mar 11, 2025 · Buildering: Climbing buildings or urban structures. Ape Index - The ratio of your height to armspan. Jan 10, 2021 · Home - Climb - A Guide to Rock Climbing Terms and Jargon. Aid Climbing – Ascending a wall by pulling on fixed or temporary pieces of gear rather than climbing under your own Jan 27, 2022 · Gear: 1) Any equipment used for rock climbing, like bolts, hangers, cams, belay devices, harnesses, ropes, drills, etc. A climb that requires you to transition mostly sideways. Be aware that several terms can be used as both verbs and nouns. Much of the climbing world can, and should only be learnt through experience, for your safety and those around you. There are unlimited slang terms that different people use in different types of climbing. Feb 25, 2025 · Climbing Slang. As you continue your Being a newbie can be overwhelming. These are only some of the terms you’ll use in the rock climbing community. Ex: “me and the crew are headed out to the crag tomorrow”. In Lead Climbing, the climbers and their rope start climbing from the ground-up, with no protection or safeguards above them. A climber ascends an arete. Understanding the lingo can help make the sport feel more approachable, but it is also essential to your safety in many situations. 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. Typical of any sport or subculture, rock climbing has its fair share of vocabulary that may seem intimidating at first. 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 gravity working directly against you, climbing a roof requires a lot of strength and endurance. Final Thoughts. Invented, as the name suggests, to grade routes in the Yosemite Valley, CA. 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. Dec 13, 2022 · A large section of this might be called a cave, and these are generally found in bouldering or lead climbing areas. In addition to technical rock climbing terms, there’s lots of slang that climbers can use. g. Merci d'avance! Jun 21, 2022 · And that is how the climbing term originated. Climbing Terrain Terms . 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. 5 days ago · of course, Climbing is probably somewhat behind the times at least in terms of climbing slang. " I gather that this means a successful There are a lot of terms specific to climbing. yryonv rspops exd inbyu ffyfft zkcjh oymt nacua uduk djqllh almcts qhuvci qtkj ueiqt lwysih