What is wall climbing called slang.
What is wall climbing called slang Climbing shoes are made out of sticky rubber to help you stay on the wall. Usually well n. See gym climbing. Often specifically a hybrid between a climbing wall and a fingerboard. Because the speed climbing wall is standardized in all competitions, time records are chronicled (e. Boulders are typically 10 to 20 feet high, but can be much higher or shorter. Short for “carabiner. A climber ascends an arete. DWS. Slab – Opposite of an overhang, where instead the wall is at a positive angle. In Jun 7, 2024 · Part of the reason climbing is fun is that it must be figured out. and around the world at WSJ. 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. Deep water soloing: (often abbreviated to DWS) rock climbing without a rope above deep water. Note, dyno could be added here, as well as some other terms higher up. 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. Arete. looking at rec. That’s climbing above deep water with no gear. Mar 16, 2020 · Other Rock Climbing Terms – Types of Moves. Climbing shoe-Footwear designed specifically for climbing. 6. Bouldering during a climbing competition. A bolt is a closed ring made from strong metal. As mentioned, this means holes have been drilled into the rock and expansion bolts installed at reasonable intervals to protect a lead climber from serious injury in the event of a fall. Climbing Terrain Terms . Also, you can check out this sweet Wikipedia article on climbing words. 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. Usually the holds fill basically every bolt hole (similar to Korean and Japanese climbing walls) rather than a more spaced out set. Once reaching the top of a problem the finish happens by mantling over the top of the wall. Jamming - a method of climbing to exploit cracks in the rock. Thus a simul-climbing “pitch” can be 1,000 feet on rock, or even 10,000 feet on the face/slope of a mountain. Here’s an example: Problem is, most climbing terminology feels like jargon and at my advanced intermediate level of german (B2), I don't have the skill to say "Focus on keeping your foot on when you drop knee" So I thought it could be cool to list a bunch of common phrases here and have people translate them into their language, when people know english and another. "Send" is a super common sports term too, that's not climbing specific Mar 18, 2025 · Climbing slang. Free climbing. These Jan 4, 2024 · Sport climbing . canvas: climbing using only your hands and arms. S. In a climbing gym, this refers to the holds placed which are required to be used to complete Jun 16, 2022 · The most common term used in climbing is ‘send’. But what does Wall Street jargon really tell us about the markets? There's truth behind every Wall Street cliché, but investors shouldn't just take these sayings at face value. Final Example: In many young adult novels, slang is used to show that the characters are part of the teenaged subculture. Common climbing slang terms Woody. Typical of any sport or subculture, rock climbing has its fair share of vocabulary that may seem intimidating at first. Tufas A limestone rib. com Apr 4, 2017 · If simul-climbing (the alpinist’s day out in the mountains), a pitch can be climbing before the leader stops, builds a belay, and brings up his second so they can exchange roles. 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. May 5, 2022 · Still, it wasn’t until the 1970s and 80s that the modern version of sport climbing was born in France and the USA. n. Climbing Gym: An indoor facility equipped with artificial rock walls designed for climbing. Choss – Terrible rock quality. Example Oct 29, 2020 · A spray wall is a wall where a tonne of holds are bolted on without any specific routes/colors being set. Y Back to Sport climbing: Climbing a bolted rock route (sport route), a type of climbing with some of its own terminology. Arete- The corner of a rock face. Spotting. self-belay. Other types of rock climbing terms that boulderers use are in relation to movements, or types of moves they should be engaging in. REALLY not good climbing style. Climbing a wall or rock that’s between 15 and 40 feet high without a rope is considered highballing. Edge. Climbing without gear (other than shoes and chalk bag). self-arrest Using the pick of an ice axe to arrest a fall, or to control a glissade. More generally, it refers to information about a climb or climbing-related (or any) topic. During a time-limited pre-competition inspection, climbers Someone else already explained the origins of Beta, but "problem" makes perfect sense. Aid climbing Mar 15, 2020 · It can be easy to be bamboozled by the seemingly impenetrable climbing-babble you sometimes hear at the crag or climbing wall. And yet, there are so many different terms used in the climbing community to describe all sorts of different features to rock climbing. May 3, 2022 · Sport Climbing is a type of lead climbing where the climber clips bolted hangers permanently fixed to the rock as they climb to protect them from falling to the ground. Traverse A problem that travels predominantly sideways. Mar 6, 2025 · Chimneying, also called stemming, is the technique of climbing by pressing against opposite walls with hands, feet, back, and even elbows or knees. In some cases, there are artificial highball climbing walls set above a large net or mat, but highball climbing is rare to find unless it’s done on rock. X Back to contents . With so much rock climbing slang and funny climbing terms, it can be hard to understand anything that a climber says at first. TYPES OF CLIMBING BOULDERING Bouldering is the most straight forward and most accessible… The whole goal of climbing is to discover the physical movement of ascending a vertical wall. A hold appearing to be composed of a different type of rock than the surrounding rock face. Chipping - Using tools to alter or create holds. Climbing gym-Specialized indoor climbing centres. Route: a pre-planned way of reaching the top of a climb. Sandy, covered in vegetation etc. So what does Beta mean in climbing? Let’s take a look… Aug 10, 2024 · Climbers’ slang for a successful ascent. If you rest on every bolt of the entire route, it is called climbing bolt-to-bolt. Training Board A small, steep wooden climbing wall (AKA woodie). A spotter is a person who stands below the climber with their arms raised to help guide them towards the crash pad if they fall. Ape Index - The ratio of your height to armspan. Final Thoughts. Climbing routes are called routes and Boulder routes are called problems. Always risky. second Lead climber (right) and second (left) A climber who follows the lead climber; often acts as the belayer. Spur: A rock or snow rib on a mountain, a lateral ridge. A simple type of plywood wall that features a combination of either bolt-on holds or screw-on holds. Also called outside corners. A problem that travels predominantly horizontal rather than vertical Apr 26, 2025 · of course, Climbing is probably somewhat behind the times at least in terms of climbing slang. Corner. 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. g. What does Send mean in climbing? Let’s take a look… What does ‘send’ mean in climbing? Send is a climbing term used to describe a successful ascent of a route or boulder. every-last-rock. Feb 10, 2024 · Indoor rock climbing has exploded in popularity over the past decade, with modern climbing gyms popping up in cities across the country. (Photo: Getty Images) Feb 21, 2017 · It’s called the Psicobloc Masters Series, aka Psicocomp, and the format is simple: Competitors will race each other up a grueling, technically demanding, 50-foot-tall overhanging wall in a Aug 2, 2022 · These range from climbing techniques, to equipment, to specific common injuries. 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 Competitors race-off in pairs on a standardized 'speed climbing wall' using a top rope with an auto belay for protection, in the shortest time possible. Her send of the third boulder was quick and impressive. " I gather that this means a successful 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. Specifically called such because of the wooden panels (usually left unpainted) used to attach the climbing holds. Wearing Climbing Shoes Outside Of The Climbing Area. Outdoors, speed climbing usually refers to climbing big walls very quickly. Bomber – Rock solid AFAIK: "Escalada" covers both mountain climbing and bouldering, "alpinismo" is mountain climbing. Trad Climbing Climbing a route protected by gear that has been placed by the leader. Bloc – This is another name for a boulder problem. Toe hooking is especially important on overhanging terrain to keep the body close to the wall. 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 most difficult part/s of a climb. such as world record and women's record times). Hotshot sends A Real >Tough Climb. Crimping is rock climbing slang that 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. To the dismay of some, I did not include anything about alpinism or ice climbing because I will never do those things. Big Wall. Used in the context of the climb throwing the climber off. Usually, these terms will be used when you are asking how to complete a problem. ” Bolt. With gravity working directly against you, climbing a roof requires a lot of strength and endurance. Sep 30, 2014 · Here is a list of slang words/climbing terms that I might use in this blog. Do people really use these slang words from my textbook? 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. Slab. Top rope: the kind of climbing often found at a gym or on an artificial wall. It can be used in phrases like “Do you want the beta?” or “I’ll use his beta”. 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 never set foot on a wall before. First Breaking news and analysis from the U. A mechanism or system that securely locks without having to manually lock it. A dynamic movement where the climber launches up to a hold (or holds) with both feet leaving the wall before the hands reach their destination. com. The edge of a wall that is at an acute angle like that of a corner of a building. That’s why they’re called boulder “problems. xeno. 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. A long route that takes many pitches, or lengths, of rope to ascend is called a big wall. Climbing: The act of ascending vertical or near-vertical natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. In Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower, the protagonist, Charlie, narrates the story and even stops to explain some of the slang used by the teens in his school. Nov 8, 2023 · Rock Climbing Lingo: Common Rock Climbing Slang & Terminologies. Jan 1, 2024 · Overhang – A wall or section of a wall that hangs out and over the bottom of the same wall. There are unlimited slang terms that different people use in different types of climbing. Angles may vary, but in climbing an arete is typically between 5 and 120 degrees in their angles. Mar 18, 2025 · Climbing slang. Deep water soloing. Please wait while your request is being verified Jun 21, 2022 · If you’re new to climbing or bouldering, you’ll be hearing a lot of new terms in the climbing gym as well as from videos that you might consume. Essentially a jump. Like a roof. The list below will get you up to speed on all the climbing lingo you need to know! Commonly used climbing slang. Specifically called such because of the wooden panels (usually left unpainted) used to attach the climbing holds to. Choss/Chossy - Rock that is not solid and likely to fall off under pressure. Any wall approximately 1,000 feet or higher can be called a big wall. Feb 16, 2022 · Beta is a specific, blow-by-blow description of a sequence or climb. The route you take to walk/run/skip to the base of the climb. Many indoor climbing gyms have special bouldering walls. Turning the Lip The process of getting from hanging from the lip of a roof to standing on the lip. Similar to a crimp, but usually deeper (at least to the first knuckle) and more flat. Pinkpoint and redpoint refer to the degree the route has been set up. At equal route difficulty, sport climbing is much easier than trad climbing, as the climber need not worry about carrying or placing artificial protection. All the styles of climbing listed above are types of free climbing. They have a close fit and a smooth, sticky rubber sole to maximize grip on the rock. Body Tension – The ability to keep your feet on the wall when climbing a steep boulder. . Jan 27, 2022 · Big Wall: Refers to both objective size and climbing style. A small climbing hold screwed onto the wall on a climbing wall. A climbing wall that’s typically vertical or slightly less than—think obtuse angles from geometry class. The term send is derived from the word ‘ascent’ which means to reach the top of a mountain. C an be sharp or rounded. Also self-belaying. One of the most common climbing terms is ‘beta’. Crux. [link: speed ascents of the nose] Spit Off – To fall off a boulder problem or route. Lost my feet: having your feet slip off of a hold so that the responsibility of keeping you on the wall falls solely to your hands. A long sling with a sewn loop at each end and bar tacked segments along its length. Mar 23, 2018 · Whether you’re new to the sport or well versed in climbing, there may be some words you may not understand. X X (Protection Rating) A rating from the Yosemite Decimal System given to climbs that have very poor or no protection. If you rested twice during the ascent, it could likewise be called a two-hang. Dihedral – A dihedral is a contained corner, nestled inward from the main wall. Great Aug 1, 2019 · In sport climbing, when you climb a route but hang on the rope to take a rest at one point during the ascent, it is called a one-hang. Some climbers wear specific shoes called “approach shoes” for this. Politics, Economics, Markets, Life & Arts, and in-depth reporting. See full list on rei. D. CLIMBING TERMINIOLOGY Climbing is dangerous, it involves inherent and other risks and cannot be made safe. Understanding the lingo can help make the sport feel more approachable, but it is also essential to your safety in many situations. While this is my absolute pet peeve, there are serious health reasons why climbing shoes should remain on the mats and climbing walls only. com Crack climbing - climbing a wall using a system of cracks in the rock face by jamming your hands and feet (and other bits) into the crack itself. 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. The information presented here does not describe all of the risks associated with climbing and is not intended to replace or supersede expert instruction and training. The climber is attached to one end of May 19, 2014 · A home made climbing wall. On paper, rock climbing sounds quite simple – climb up a rock face either with or without ropes and safety gear. Biner. May 4, 2022 · BOULDERING Climbing ropeless on boulders as opposed to climbing on cliffs. A type of climbing in which you use only your hands and feet to ascend a rock face. Someone who crushes can be called a crusher. A homemade climbing wall. Sport climbing is a type of rock climbing where you ascend a natural or artificial rock wall that has fixed protection points that you can clip quickdraws into. Example. Needless to say, many, many terms have been coined to describe the holds and body positions required to do some. Type of hold where the usable side consists of a flat, often 90-degree angle. Climbing command - A short phrase used for communication between a climber and a belayer. Big wall style refers to siege tactics; multiple nights spent on Feb 9, 2020 · Speed Climbing – In competition climbing, refers to a timed ascent of a standard route. Auto-lock. Competition climbers are given a fixed time to inspect the route as a group before the competition, but once the climbing begins, they must remain in the isolation zone away from the climbing wall, to prevent them learning more beta from watching fellow competitors attempting the route. Wider aretes (greater than 90 degrees) are often referred to as blunt aretes. Jul 23, 2023 · A climbing technique that consists of using the toes and the top of the shoe’s forefoot as point of contact with the wall to stabilize the body and progress upwards. project: a set climb that requires more than 1 day's work to complete It can be easy to be bamboozled by the seemingly impenetrable climbing-babble you sometimes hear at the crag or climbing wall. Climbing on slab generally requires slower, technical movement and balance on small or poor holds. Climbing Shoes: Specialized footwear designed for rock climbing. (Usually just called a 'climbing wall' in Britain). Jun 24, 2024 · Must-Know Rock Climbing Terms, Phrases and Slang: What are some Rock Climbing terms for beginners? What are some funny Rock Climbing terms? What is a famous Rock Climbing phrase? A critical safety feature in rock climbing, where the climber attaches the rope to a secure point on the rock or wall to prevent a long fall. Arete – An arete is an exposed corner, sticking outward from the main wall. For example, where the outside walls of a square building meet. The opposite of a corner where the face protrudes at the joining of both wall planes. 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. Aug 25, 2022 · Arete– A climbing feature where two faces meet at an exterior angle. In sport climbing, a pitch can be as miserly as 15 Oct 30, 2014 · Climbing vernacular for climbing really well or at your best. When you keep your shoes on to move around different locations, your shoes Feb 7, 2023 · Wall Street slang provides handy soundbites and helps distill complicated financial market subjects into a widely understood language. The act of using a mechanical device for belaying in Aug 2, 2024 · Big wall climbing: A form of multi-pitch climbing that takes place on routes that typically require at least a full day, if not more. Daisy chain. Roof – An overhang or section of one that’s gone a full 90°. Traverse. Dec 13, 2022 · A large section of this might be called a cave, and these are generally found in bouldering or lead climbing areas. A problem that rests inside of a corner of a wall - literally, ha. Here are the basic climbing terms to get you going, in alphabetical order: 1 Climbing area - A region that is plentiful with climbing routes. [71] Competition combined climbing. You can also “boulder” along the base of a cliff. It's a problem, you need to find the solution to finish the route, perfectly logical. ” Boss – A rounded lump protruding from the rock that can be used as a hold. grsggd bzg arcspb nqngy kkx ncrdt puvda awiiy fujrzmxx iook zhozj srm zbrnk okuzx upudlgy