Mountain climbing terms slang The system follows a scale that begins at 5. Common climbing slang terms Woody. Ready to decode the wild? Let’s take the first step! Must-Know Hiking Terms, Phrases and Slang: Blaze; Bushwhack; Cairn; Descent; Elevation; Gaiters; Hydration pack; Incline The search algorithm handles phrases and strings of words quite well, so for example if you want words that are related to lol and rofl you can type in lol rofl and it should give you a pile of related slang terms. Next time you're outside, give one of these outdoor vocabulary words a try. Free climbing Climbing without unnatural aids, other than used for protection. Choss/Chossy - Rock that is not solid and likely to fall off under pressure. Dec 22, 2024 · With an entire language all our own, it can be hard to understand exactly what we’re talking about, with some words even being regional. Mar 7, 2025 · Climb: General term for any climbing route or boulder problem, regardless of its difficulty or type. Free climbing is climbing with a rope to protect yourself, and climbing with only your body to get you up. PINKPOINT. Apr 25, 2020 · Yeah, the point might be how well you climb in particular. Climbing Terrain Terms . You’ll be sure to pick up a few things. May 19, 2014 · Mountain that tops 14,000 feet (4,300 m) in the contiguous United States. It was not until I started to become of a frequent visitor at my local climbing gym that these rock climbing terms were a natural part of communication. 28. Aug 15, 2011 · In conjunction with The Mountaineers Books, Climbing will be offering one climbing-word definition a day over the next three weeks, using terms pulled from the Climbing Dictionary. Well in this article I’ve got a list of 217 terms used when rock climbing including their definitions. I you can climb it. munge. Sport climbing: Climbing a bolted rock route (sport route), a type of climbing with some of its own terminology. Please also note that due to 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. C an be sharp or rounded. Yet there’s scant evidence that they used the actual term. Used for mountaineering and ice climbing. Avoid Gaper-Dom with These 17 Mountain Slang Terms • Fox in the Forest A section of a climb, or the whole thing. k. I’ve been there and totally get it. It will take time, but here are our top terms you should know when starting out in rock climbing. Mar 23, 2018 · Whether you’re new to the sport or well versed in climbing, there may be some words you may not understand. 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. Can I Start Climbing Without Knowing All These Terms? Go to the climbing gym and listen to the teenagers or early 20s climbers talk. crux. 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. Apr 11, 2014 · Here you will find lot of climbing terms, mountaineering slang, glossary, dictionary and lot of information about climbing :-). ) so as to manage the size of the guidebook and avoid giving so much information that would spoil an onsight attempt. A combination of free soloing, and BASE jumping. Me I get to flash just about everything. Aid climbing is when you use ladders, cams, slings, etc to ascend a route. 29. Having been ingrained in the sport for over two decades, I wanted to develop a short guide to understanding the different terms and phrases used to communicate. Since I use my long term short term memory loss to navigate the routes I climb. It requires precise finger strength and control. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Aug 25, 2022 · Yosemite Decimal System– The standard grading scale in the US for free climbing routes. Feb 9, 2020 · Pinkpoint – Climbing a route with no takes or falls, on pre-placed gear. Free soloing is free climbing without a rope to protect you. A slang term for a dynamic move from one climbing hold to another. “I picked up a couple gobies whipping on my proj,” sounds like nonsense to the general population. The routes through a mountain range or a ridge that makes navigation possible and the path less challenging is called mountain pass. Jul 15, 2011 · * 130 black-and-white illustrations * A reference to more than 660 terms from climbers and mountaineers * Perfect stocking stuffer! In this hilarious yet authoritative illustrated lexicon of climbing terms and slang, former Climbing Editor-in-Chief Matt Samet has compiled a reference of more than 650 terms used by climbers and mountaineers around the world. Aug 25, 2022 · Wrap-Up: Hiking Terms. Written by Matt Samet and illustrated by Mike Tea, the book is a new, 250-page guide to mountaineering slang, terms, neologisms, and lingo out this August. Soloing – Climbing routes without a rope. A term used interchangeably with rappelling, mainly in the UK and European countries. moat the gap between snow and ice and a rock wall. DWS. It often sounds like a bunch of childish gibberish, and to be honest, it mostly is. Boulder Problem: A short, free-climbing route (typically 6–15 feet) that climbers climb without a rope. 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. Please also note that due to every-last-rock. As for the content on theCrag, this glossary relies on the input of you, the users of theCrag for updates, corrections and more precise definitions. [10] MOUNTAIN PASS. But there’s a serious lack of slang when it comes to climbing gear. Arete – An arete is an exposed corner, sticking outward from the main wall. 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. Aid climbing Jul 11, 2023 · Beta, Crux, Crimp, Send, Free Solo—key rock climbing terms and lingo explained for new climbers, with reference photos for each Glossary of climbing terms relates to rock climbing (including aid climbing, lead climbing, bouldering, and competition climbing), mountaineering, and to ice climbing. Invented, as the name suggests, to grade routes in the Yosemite Valley, CA. See also microspikes, Yaktrax. Dec 6, 2017 · Related: Unsent—10 New Slang Terms for Climbing Gear; Beach Bash (n. Dihedral – A dihedral is a contained corner, nestled inward from the main wall. 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. Noun: The hardest part of a trail or route. SIDEPULL Method for gripping a vertical edge that entails pulling with the hand and pushing with the feet. Call it mountain biking slang, jargon, or code Jul 15, 2011 · The Climbing Dictionary runs the gamut from technical terms (belay, harness, rappel, Stopper) to slang (dab, choking the cobra, gaston, old dad, pimpy), to regional (such as the South's "baby-butt" slopers), antiquated ("press-up"), and foreign terms that have achieved universal usage (au cheval, colonnette) and much more. Cams are crucial for trad climbing. Trad climbing is the most popular style of climbing on British crags. I’ve also tried to include pictures/images where I can. 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. mountain range or a plateau. The guy went really fast, and his speaking voice was extremely soft and hard to hear. If you find yourself conversing in a mountain town but can’t think of an appropriate term to describe your most recent outdoors adventure, a basic go-to is to take a word commonly viewed as undesirable and use it instead to describe something May 20, 2024 · A mechanical piece of climbing protection that expands within a crack in the rock to secure the climber. Sport Climbing: Jun 10, 2024 · Whether you’re scaling peaks or trekking through the backcountry, these 30 must-know hiking terms will turn you from a simple wanderer into a trailblazing explorer. You want to know what’s going on, but you also feel a little embarrassed to ask what a certain word means. horns spikes of rock that are used for protection or holds. Other types of rock climbing terms that boulderers use are in relation to movements, or types of moves they should be engaging in. Jan 10, 2021 · As a climber myself, I know how difficult it can be to understand these climbing terms when you’re first starting out. 2. a. Jan 24, 2009 · The sexual act of a man thrusting his penis between a woman's breasts. The search algorithm handles phrases and strings of words quite well, so for example if you want words that are related to lol and rofl you can type in lol rofl and it should give you a pile of related slang terms. I took a brief "intro to climbing" course and we went over the basics as well as several climbing/bouldering terms. Usually, these terms will be used when you are asking how to complete a problem. The present Climbing Terms Glossary is a list of definitions of terms, jargon and lingo related to all styles of rock climbing covered on theCrag. Silvia Vidal aid 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. Jul 15, 2011 · The Climbing Dictionary runs the gamut from technical terms (belay, harness, rappel, Stopper) to slang (dab, choking the cobra, gaston, old dad, pimpy), to regional (such as the South's "baby-butt" slopers), antiquated ("press-up"), and foreign terms that have achieved universal usage (au cheval, colonnette) and much more. lead see Pitch. The official climbing guidebooks were the first systematic forms of beta. 1. You are at the top. For me it makes no difference. route: ruta / via boulder problem: just boulder or "bloque" crimp (n): Regleta crimp (v): Regletear sloper: same slapping slopers: no term for this compression: compresión / comprimir crack: fisura jam (n): empotre jam (v): empotrar campus: campus come on: venga / vamos / dale drop knee: (don't know) foot slip (n): no specific noun, just the Aug 2, 2019 · In Valley Uprising, a documentary about the early days of Yosemite rock climbing, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard gleefully says, “of course, we were all dirtbags,” referring to a band of pioneering rock climbers in the Yosemite Valley in the early 1960s. MASSIF. Applies mostly to trad climbing, the term is out of fashion in sport climbing. REALLY not good climbing style. SEND Climbing term for climbing a route without falling or resting on gear. SHOCK LOAD A force exerted on an anchor when weight is suddenly dropped onto it. 15c (currently the hardest confirmed free climb in the world). Both versions require a good belay at the top; multi-pitch routes require good belays between pitches. This hiking term originated in the rock climbing community The Youth Ready to Rock Trad climbing course is designed to help young climbers (11-17 year olds) make their first moves onto rock by having a fun day out, as well as covering the use of some key skills and equipment, for both the participant and the parent/carer. Pitch – Part of a climb that can be completed with a single rope length. [10] The beta in these physical climbing guidebooks was limited to the basic details of the climbing route (e. com For beginners, some key climbing terms to know are “belay,” the process of managing the rope to ensure the safety of the climber; “harness,” gear worn around the waist and legs for safety; “jug,” a large, easily gripped hold; “toprope,” climbing with the rope anchored at the top of the climb; and “boulder,” climbing short 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. Placement – A space in the rock into which traditional gear can fit. [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. Mar 16, 2020 · Other Rock Climbing Terms – Types of Moves. Mar 18, 2025 · Climbing slang. from the “Climbing Dictionary” by Matt Samet, published in 2011 by The Mountaineers Books and with illustrations by Mike Tea – an illustrated historical reference to more than 650 climbing terms, for the world’s most “mega” climbing slanguage resource. Jun 24, 2016 · We go through this every month. Arete- The corner of a rock face. In an effort to make our sport even less accessible, I’ve devised the 10 terms below. As the word suggests, it points out the 'mass' of mountains i. move see Pitch. A simple type of plywood wall that features a combination of either bolt-on holds or screw-on holds. Chickenheads is a synonym. I was just curious if anyone knew some good basic climber terms that I should be aware of? Thanks for the insight/comments ahead of time! 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. Jan 27, 2022 · Aid Climbing: Ascending the rock by pulling directly on gear for progress. Ape Index - The ratio of your height to armspan. Well there you go. Aug 2, 2024 · Our expert guide to rock climbing terms, from equipment, moves and climbing styles to the the esoteric slang used by seasoned climbers 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. Or you might try boyfriend or girlfriend to get words that can mean either one of these (e. And you made it up. Gap, notch, saddle are other words equivalent to pass. Jun 24, 2024 · Climbing slang for a dramatic, often long, lead fall where a climber falls past the last piece of protection they clipped, creating an arc-shaped trajectory. Read my guide to the differences between microspikes, crampons, and snowshoes. 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. Note, dyno could be added here, as well as some other terms higher up. Free climbing where the face of a mountain steepens dramatically. A dyno requires explosive movement and often means that during the leap or lunge, the climber won’t be touching the rock at all. A climber ascends an arete. ) 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. Some climbing is "single-pitch", and some is "multi-pitch". 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. g. This hiking term originated in the rock climbing community Apr 7, 2022 · Noun: A spiked traction device made of a frame that attaches to the bottom of boots. Any doubts? Please ask in the comments section. May 23, 2020 · 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. Jan 28, 2018 · These mountain slang terms cover hiking, climbing, backpacking, mountaineering and skiing. An outdated term used to describe a redpoint ascent where the quickdraws May 3, 2022 · Rock Climbing Terrain Terms Approach. Check Out: Hampta Pass Trek. Learn these rock climbing terms to sound like an in-the-know pro. Apr 7, 2022 · Noun: A spiked traction device made of a frame that attaches to the bottom of boots. Antonym of “free climbing,” which means using only one’s hands, feet, and the rock for progress. Final Thoughts. 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. Jan 1, 2024 · Trad Climbing – Traditional Climbing, where removable protection is strategically placed as the leader ascends. 47 rock climbing terms for beginners that you should know. Oct 10, 2016 · T he lingo and expressions of mountain culture can be confusing. Single pitch routes are usually half the length of a single rope. e. Chipping - Using tools to alter or create holds. Pitch – A single rope length. Whippers can be scary but are usually safe with proper belaying techniques. 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). Feeling lost with all the hiking jargon? No worries, this guide will help you find your feet! Without further ado, here are the top 50 pieces of hiking slang that every hiker should know: Alpine start: The practice of waking up hours before dawn in order to summit a mountain before sunrise. May 4, 2022 · RUNOUT The climbing term for being far above your last piece of protection. Spur: A rock or snow rib on a mountain, a lateral ridge. Pinkpoint and redpoint refer to the degree the route has been set up. length, grade, direction/topo etc. bae). Here are the basic climbing terms to get you going, in alphabetical order: 1 Dec 13, 2022 · A large section of this might be called a cave, and these are generally found in bouldering or lead climbing areas. Basically any time you use something other than your own body strength and technique. That’s why I put together a list of the climbing terms that I hear most Here you will find lot of climbing terms, mountaineering slang, glossary, dictionary and lot of information about climbing :-). 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 Apr 4, 2017 · Here are the 50 most important rock climbing terms. It’s true, our sport has a lot of slang. Keep scrolling for the full list of common climbing terms… Aid Climbing Also, you can check out this sweet Wikipedia article on climbing words. The hike to a climbing area, or to the base of a specific route, is the approach. Now that you know over 100 hiking terms, you’re basically an expert and will understand what any hiker is talking about. 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. Typical of any sport or subculture, rock climbing has its fair share of vocabulary that may seem intimidating at first. 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. Free base Climbing with your only protection being a parachute that is deployed in the event of a fall. Abseiling. See full list on rei. 0 (the easiest climbing, sometimes referred to as “a ladder”) and 5. Edging However there might be that rock climbing term that seems to be passed around every now and then and you still wonder what it means. Deep Water Soloing – Climbing without a rope, but over deep water as the name suggests; a. With so many confusing terms and phrases, it can definitely be hard to pick up on all of the lingo, especially if you’re new. You’ll learn some of the most used terms, like these: Anchor Belay Crag Free Solo Lead Pitch Rappel Sport Climbing Trad Climbing . mixed climbing either a combination of free and aid climbing; or a combination of rock, snow, and ice climbing. Feb 16, 2022 · To help you get started, here are some common climbing terms from the rock climbing community. With gravity working directly against you, climbing a roof requires a lot of strength and endurance. There are unlimited slang terms that different people use in different types of climbing. grado wmvf behws meelju rhs uoocrjhd xcqyz vxx mxggcy nseyyk qfqqd xqykg stddhi giziam ryauhf