Climbing terms slang General Terms. In a climbing gym, this refers to the holds placed which are required to be used to complete Sep 30, 2014 · Here is a list of slang words/climbing terms that I might use in this blog. To the dismay of some, I did not include anything about alpinism or ice climbing because I will never do those things. 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. Placement – A space in the rock into which traditional gear can fit. May 15, 2021 · Like all other sports, rock climbing has its own terminology and jargon. 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. 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. May 4, 2022 · RUNOUT The climbing term for being far above your last piece of protection. 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. My assignment for my linguistics class is to make a glossary of 10-20 slang or jargon words. com Dab: gym climbing term for “accidentally touching” different colored holds. A combination of free soloing, and BASE jumping. It translates really well to the outdoors and helps train gym climbers to remember that the grass and juniper trees on the dirty trad routes are “not rock” and touching them would invalidate the entire experience. 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. Dec 6, 2017 · Related: Unsent—10 New Slang Terms for Climbing Gear; Beach Bash (n. Arete – An arete is an exposed corner, sticking outward from the main wall. Aug 25, 2022 · Yosemite Decimal System– The standard grading scale in the US for free climbing routes. Usually, these terms will be used when you are asking how to complete a problem. 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. 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. He is also the author of the Climbing Dictionary, a 250-page reference of climbing terms and slang. Also read. 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. Sick send: An awesome climb. 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. Dihedral – A dihedral is a contained corner, nestled inward from the main wall. How 1990s Rifle Laid the Foundation for Hard American Sport Climbing; Chip With Honor: The Art Of Manufacturing Routes With Integrity; It’s Mine! No, It’s Mine!. Gumby is a semi-derogatory term used on beginner climbers who are not familiar with climbing safety practices due to their inexperience. 10 Video Game Terms Climbers Should Start Using Now 10 Dumb Climbing Terms We Need To Retire For 2022 www. In addition to technical rock climbing terms, there’s lots of slang that climbers can use. Climbing Terrain Terms . And don’t forget to check out the book itself: 668 climbing terms, slang, and neologisms defined, with killer art by the climber and illustrator Mike Tea and input from climbers all across North America and Europe. A term See full list on rei. Being pumped is a common reason climbers fall off the wall! 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. More . 0 (the easiest climbing, sometimes referred to as “a ladder”) and 5. It’s true, our sport has a lot of slang. That’s why I put together a list of the climbing terms that I hear most 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. A A-grade Also aid climbing grade. So I just started climbing yesterday and I absolutely fell in love. Feb 27, 2025 · Advanced Climbing Terms: Climb Higher with Understanding. Ethan Ridge Feb 22, 2025 Learn advanced climbing terms to improve your skills and enjoy climbing with friends while staying safe. Climbing Slang. With gravity working directly against you, climbing a roof requires a lot of strength and endurance. The guy went really fast, and his speaking voice was extremely soft and hard to hear. Mar 23, 2018 · Whether you’re new to the sport or well versed in climbing, there may be some words you may not understand. The system follows a scale that begins at 5. 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. Chalk. Route: a pre-planned way of reaching the top of a climb. Free climbing is climbing with a rope to protect yourself, and climbing with only your body to get you up. Learn these rock climbing terms to sound like an in-the-know pro. 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, 2024 · The experience of rock climbing is pretty unique, as is the slang that describes aspects of the experience. ) 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. Pinkpoint and redpoint refer to the degree the route has been set up. In this list, we will explore some of the most common rock climbing terms and phrases used in the sport. A simple type of plywood wall that features a combination of either bolt-on holds or screw-on holds. Single pitch routes are usually half the length of a single rope. 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. Much of the climbing world can, and should only be learnt through experience, for your safety and those around you. 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. Buildering: Climbing buildings or urban structures. ” So you could probably guess that the column’s “18 New Climbing Slang Terms” isn’t meant to be taken seriously. 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. The technical difficulty grading system for aid climbing (both for "original" and an adapted version for "new wave"), which goes: A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and up to A6 (for "new wave"). Edging Nov 8, 2023 · Here is our rock climbing slang dictionary, complete with different types of climbing, types of holds, safety terms, gym terms, and so much more! Types of Climbing. ABD Also assisted braking device. Basically any time you use something other than your own body strength and technique. Pitch – A single rope length. Multi-Pitch : A climb that is too long for the leader’s rope and is therefore split into separate pitches, or individual, shorter climbs. How 1990s Rifle Laid the Foundation for Hard American Sport Climbing; Chip With Honor: The Art Of Manufacturing Routes With Integrity; It’s Mine! No, It’s Mine! Apr 11, 2014 · Here you will find lot of climbing terms, mountaineering slang, glossary, dictionary and lot of information about climbing :-). Match : To place both hands on the same hold at the same time. A dyno requires explosive movement which often means that during the leap or lunge, the climber won’t be touching the rock at all. Though, they do cover indoor climbing and the competition scene more comprehensively than most other outlets. Not to mention all the strange climbing techniques climbers use (why is that climber hanging like a bat?!) Dec 8, 2023 · Climbing Slang. Mar 16, 2020 · Other Rock Climbing Terms – Types of Moves. Beginner Terms 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. May 19, 2014 · Climbing with your only protection being a parachute that is deployed in the event of a fall. Common climbing slang terms Woody. 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. Free solo Climbing without aid or protection. The hike to a climbing area, or to the base of a specific route, is the approach. That is why we have prepared a shorter Mar 20, 2025 · Yosemite Decimal System– The standard grading scale in the US for free climbing routes. A dyno requires explosive movement and often means that during the leap or lunge, the climber won’t be touching the rock at all. It’s a way to keep climbing fun, light, and full of life. A slang term for a dynamic move from one climbing hold to another. Chalk is a white powder used to absorb sweat from hands to allow better grip while climbing. Often incorrectly used by non-climbers as a synonym for soloing. Final Thoughts. I’ve been there and totally get it. It requires precise finger strength and control Jan 27, 2022 · Climbing Terms Explained A. I took a brief "intro to climbing" course and we went over the basics as well as several climbing/bouldering terms. Dyno – A slang term for a dynamic move from one rock climbing hold to another. Here are the basic climbing terms to get you going, in alphabetical order: 1 Apr 26, 2011 · I’ll add the terms here as they come in, and compile them for any upcoming additions. You’ll be sure to pick up a few things. Jun 24, 2016 · We go through this every month. I’ll add the terms here as they come in, and compile them for any upcoming additions. Antonym of “free climbing,” which means using only one’s hands, feet, and the rock for 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. Aid Climbing: Ascending the rock by pulling directly on gear for progress. Feb 9, 2020 · Pinkpoint – Climbing a route with no takes or falls, on pre-placed gear. SHOCK LOAD A force exerted on an anchor when weight is suddenly dropped onto it. 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 13, 2022 · A large section of this might be called a cave, and these are generally found in bouldering or lead climbing areas. Well in this article I’ve got a list of 217 terms used when rock climbing including their definitions. A climber ascends an arete. Will aid in supporting wearers feet while allowing climbers to use smaller footholds more effectively. climbingjunkie. 9+, and only after an hour long safety lecture on helmtes/knotting dyneema/"half these kids don't even how to use a munter"/etc edit: non-derogatory meaning is just someone experience with trad. 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. To help you newcomers avoid sounding like a total kook—and you trad dads brush up on the latest lingo—I’ve gone ahead and outlined 47 essential climbing terms you need to know 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. SEND Climbing term for climbing a route without falling or resting on gear. I'm taking a Spanish class, and since I spend so much time climbing I thought it'd be helpful to compile a list of climbing specific Spanish words (slang included) to practice with. Whippers can be scary but are usually safe with proper belaying techniques. A Mar 2, 2023 · From technical terms describing equipment and safety measures to slang used by climbers to communicate with each other, understanding rock climbing lingo is essential for both beginners and seasoned climbers. The magazine often has more commentary and satire than others, particularly the column “Unsent. Aug 2, 2022 · These range from climbing techniques, to equipment, to specific common injuries. Here is a basic rundown of the different types of climbing. 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. May 3, 2022 · Rock Climbing Terrain Terms Approach. Can I Start Climbing Without Knowing All These Terms? Go to the climbing gym and listen to the teenagers or early 20s climbers talk. But there’s a serious lack of slang when it comes to climbing gear. Aid climbing is when you use ladders, cams, slings, etc to ascend a route. I’ve also tried to include pictures/images where I can. Typical of any sport or subculture, rock climbing has its fair share of vocabulary that may seem intimidating at first. 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. Other types of rock climbing terms that boulderers use are in relation to movements, or types of moves they should be engaging in. Abalakov thread Abalakov thread Also V-thread. Free soloing is free climbing without a rope to protect you. 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. “I picked up a couple gobies whipping on my proj,” sounds like nonsense to the general population. 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. People. Mar 11, 2025 · Here’s a quick rundown of climbing slang: Sick: Really cool or impressive. 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. com Jul 11, 2023 · Once you’ve got your climbing shoes and a chalk bag or bucket, learning the lingo, language, slang, etc is the next step any prospective rock climber should take. means you've been climbing for 25+ years but can only onsight 5. There are unlimited slang terms that different people use in different types of climbing. In an effort to make our sport even less accessible, I’ve devised the 10 terms below. Climbing Shoes. Applies mostly to trad climbing, the term is out of fashion in sport climbing. Sport climbing: Climbing a bolted rock route (sport route), a type of climbing with some of its own terminology. Note, dyno could be added here, as well as some other terms higher up. 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 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. Slang’s not just words. Keep in mind that multiple terms can often be used to describe one route. A type of anchor used in abseiling especially in winter and in ice climbing. Invented, as the name suggests, to grade routes in the Yosemite Valley, CA. For each one, I need: A definition An example sentence (Optional) The origin of the word Here are the terms I chose: 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. 47 rock climbing terms for beginners that you should know. You want to know what’s going on, but you also feel a little embarrassed to ask what a certain word means. SIDEPULL Method for gripping a vertical edge that entails pulling with the hand and pushing with the feet. 15c (currently the hardest confirmed free climb in the world). May 12, 2023 · Climbing slang. Whether you’re at the gym or the crag, it’s the language of stoke. 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. You can tell when someone is a gumby climber for example, the way they wear their harness upside down or wearing climbing shoes into the restroom or more dangerous instances such as putting the belayer rope We used the additional source to aid in spotting key terms. Tight fitting, rubber sole covered shoes. Crux: the most technically demanding section of a climb. See C-grade. Oct 10, 2012 · Both sport climbing and traditional climbing are types of lead climbing. I'm doing climbing terms. Free climbing Climbing without unnatural aids, other than used for protection. The list below will get you up to speed on all the climbing lingo you need to know! Commonly used climbing slang. Understanding what they’re talking about can help you feel like a part of the climbing world! Pumped. Spur: A rock or snow rib on a mountain, a lateral ridge. Bumbly: a novice or incompetent climber. Jan 5, 2023 · Matt Samet is a freelance writer and editor based in Boulder, Colorado. Rock climbing is a sport filled with its own unique language, a collection of terms, slang, and jargon that can seem like a foreign language to the newbies. bwatw thigiy ldclkv muhzro xpfz lmo huqwg hkfvk lamy sxez