Rock Climbing Terms

Rock climbing is an adrenaline pumping adventure sport, and for someone interested in learning this sport, it is important to know clearly, all the terms and definitions related to it. There is a lot of safety equipment that is required and a lot of safety protocols to be followed as well, so it is absolutely imperative for a person, especially a beginner, to be well versed with all the terms that are mentioned here.

This is an extreme sport that has been around for many years, because let's face it, the act of climbing rocks and mountains has always appealed to adrenaline junkies. Many different techniques and ways have been thought of, in order to master this sport and over time, many new terms and definitions have been invented. This sport requires a lot of stamina and sheer strength, and most importantly, presence of mind and self belief. The first step to this self belief and confidence is familiarity with the different terms.

Terms and Definitions in Rock Climbing
Given here are just some of the basic and elementary rock climbing phrases which should be enough to help out beginners and amateurs. Once your experience level rises you will start learning more phrases as well. The important thing is to keep reading the best rock climbing publications and interact with seasoned rock climbers.

Abalakov Thread: Also known as a V-thread, this enables a person to descend in wintry or snowy conditions.

Abseil: This is the method by which a person descends down a rope. It is also known as rappel.

Anchor: Setting up some pieces of equipment in order to support the weight of a top rope or a belay.

Ascender: A tool that is used for ascending on a rope.

Bashie: A copperheaded tool that is hammered into a crack.

Belay: A method of protecting a climber from falling down by making the rope pass around or through a belay device that enhances friction.

Bivy: The act of camping in the middle of a camp, even when there is no place to actually lie down.

Bollard: A huge rock used as a bivy anchor.

Bolt: When a hole is drilled in a rock, a bolt is the point of protection that is permanently fitted in that hole. A bolt serves many purposes.

Bucket: A fairly large handhold.

Bump: To quickly transfer the hand from hold to another.

Campus: Rock climbing without using feet.

Carabiner: Metallic rings with spring loaded gates. They are often used as connectors.

Choss: A rotten rock or a loose rock.

Clipping In: The actual act of attaching to anchors or belay lines.

Crank: Pulling a hold as forcefully as possible.

Crimp: A hold that can only be held by the tips of the fingers.

Crux: The hardest part of any climb.

Deadman Anchor: An anchor that is buried deep into the snow to serve as protection.

Deck: The ground below any climb.

Descender: A device that allows a person to descend on a climb.

Double Rope Technique (DRT): Climbing using 2 separate ropes. Usually used for alpine climbing.

Dyno: A jump or a leap to grab a hold that is beyond reach while standing.

Elvis Legs: A tired climber's wobbly knees.

Face Climbing: Ascending a vertical rock using finger holds and edges.

Fixed Rope: A rope which has a fixed point.

Flagging: A position where the leg is used for balancing rather than pushing.

Flash: To successfully complete a climb on the first attempt.

Free Climbing: Climbing without making use of any aids and ropes.

Glissade: Voluntarily sliding down a steep wall of snow in order to gain a better position.

Grovel: Use of poor technique and skill.

Gumby: A rash or novice climber.

Harness: A clip around the waist that enables one to hang from a rope.

Headwall: A sudden steepness on a rock.

High Ball: A boulder falling from above.

Hold: Something to grip on to while climbing.

Jamming: To wedge a part of the body into a crack.

Jib: An extremely small foot hold.

Jug: A fairly large foot hold.

Lead Climbing: The act of an experienced climber going first and attaching belay ropes and hooks.

No-Hand Rest: A position where the use of the hands is not required, and the legs alone are enough to support the body.

Nub: A small hold for the fingers.

Peel: To fall off.

Pendulum: Swinging to-and-fro in order to gain a hold.

Pickets: Long metallic rods that are hooked to the snow, and serve as anchors.

Rack: All the equipment that is carried up while climbing.

Runout: A portion of the route that is exceptionally dangerous.

Scree: Small rocks that break easily.

Self-Arrest: Planting an ice-axe into snow in order to stop a fall.

Sharp End: Belay rope's end that is attached to the lead climber.

Slack: That portion of the climbing rope which is not stretched.

Sprag: A handhold where the thumb and fingers are facing opposite directions.

Summit: The highest point of a peak.

Traverse: Climbing in a horizontal direction.

Wolf Moon: A night climb.

So these were a few of the basic rock climbing terms that one must be familiar with when starting out on this task. There are many more technical terms as well, but for a beginners these should suffice. With more experience comes more knowledge and greater safety precautions. Once you have become well versed with these terms, you are ready to start your adventure.