Ever head to the gym or crag and hear some terms thrown around that you may not quite understand? well i’ve compiled a list of some of the more common ones and defined them.
Abseil – Same as Rappel, to decend using rope to control your decent.
Active Protection – also called Active Pro. Active protection has moving parts such as spring loaded cams which expand to fill the crack which prevents it from slipping through.
Arete – the outside corner of rock.
Aproach – the path or trail leading up to a climb or crag.
Back Clipping – a clipping mistake where the rope lays next to the gate instead of the spine of the carabiner, this is a problem that can lead to the the gate opening in the event the leader takes a fall.
Belay Device – a friction device that allows control of the rope that is attached to a climber.
Beta – info related to a climbing route or problem.
Bight – an unclosed loop or rope used for many knots.
Bomber – seemingly indestructible handhold or gear placement.
Campus – climbing only using ones hands and arms.
Chock – passive protection made of flared piece of metal with wire running through it. also known as a nut.
Choss – junky or loose rock.
Crux – the hardest move or section of a climb
Deck – the ground
Dihedral – right angled, inside corner where to walls join.
Dyno – dynamic movement, upward leap for a hold.
Flash – completing a climb on the first try with some info gained either by watching someone else do it, or someone telling you how to do the moves.
Hang dog – frequently hanging or resting on the rope.
Hexcentric – Passive Protection similar to a nut but shaped hexagonally.
Onsight – Climbing a route without falling or previous beta.
Redpoint – to make a clean ascent or a sport or trad route even if the climber has fallen on previous attempts.
Send – to complete a climb successfully.
Tricam – Passive Protection with camming properties.
If you think that I missed any of the important ones, feel free to email me. Patrick@campthesummit.com
