A

Abseil

A controlled descent on a fixed rope using an abseiling device.

Access shoes

Sturdy lightweight shoes designed to endure the conditions encountered when accessing a crag.

Access trail

A designated path used for accessing a crag.

Accessory cord

Cord of a kernmantle design ranging from 2mm – 8mm in diameter. Applications vary depending on the cord’s size.

Active protection

Traditional climbing equipment that expands within a crack through the use of either a spring’s restoring force or a change in its orientation when loaded.

Aid climbing

A discipline of climbing where climbers rely on equipment to both make progress up a route and to protect themselves from falls.

Alpine draw

A quickdraw made from a shortened shoulder length sling and two carabiners which can be extended to reduce rope drag on wandering routes.

Alpine start

Starting on the access trail before dawn. Often necessary for climbs that require a lengthy approach to reach.

Anchor

One or multiple points of protection on a climb to safeguard against potential falls.

Approach

The journey taken to reach a climb which can involve hiking, scrambling and abseiling.

Approach shoes

See Access shoes.

Arete

A protruding vertical edge with either a sharp, blunt, or rounded contour.

Arm bar

Extending your entire arm into a crack and applying opposing forces between your palm and elbow on either side of the crevice.

Arrest

To prevent your climbing partner from falling by using belaying techniques.

Ascender

A prusik cord or mechanical device used to make progress up a rope.

ATC

A Black Diamond branded tubular device that has become the generic term for all such belay devices.

Auto belay

A mechanical device attached at the top of an indoor climb designed to automatically belay a single climber.

B

Back cleaning

Climbing a lead route on top rope in order to retrieve the equipment used to lead it. A process typically used for cleaning an overhanging climb.

Back clip

When the lead climber clips a quickdraw with the belayer’s end of the rope exiting the front of the carabiner. This can result in the rope potentially unclipping from the quickdraw during a fall, compromising safety.

Back step

Twisting the hip in towards the rock, stepping back with the same foot, and using the outside edge of the shoe on a foothold.

Bail

To retreat from or abandon a climb before completing it, often due to changing weather conditions or feelings of fear.

Barndoor

Rotating sideways off a climb when thrown off balance by negative holds.

Bar tack

The stitching used to fasten two ends of a sling together.

Bash-ins

A carrot that has been hammered or “bashed” into a drill hole instead of being glued. This method of bolting is no longer used.

Basket

The broad end of a carabiner.

Basket hitch

A sling wrapped around an anchor point, with both ends secured by clipping a carabiner to them.

Belay device

A device design to arrest a climbers fall or manage their rate of descent as they are lowered from a climb.

Belay loop

The central loop located at the front of the harness used as a connection point for a carabiner.

Belay station

An appropriate spot on a climb for establishing a belay station.

Belayer

The person who is providing a belay for the climber.

Belaying

Managing the rope through a belay device to either remove slack or feed out rope to a climber.

Bent gate

A non-locking solid gate carabiner with a bent gate, attached to one end of a quickdraw and used for clipping rope.

Beta

Information regarding a particular move or sequence of moves within a climb.

Beta spray

Referring to when a person provides multiple points of unwanted beta to someone who is trying to figure it out on their own.

BFK

Big “Frigging” Knot.

BHK

Big Honking Knot.

Bight

A U-shaped fold in the rope used for threading it into a belay device.

‘biner

See Carabiner.

Bollard

A short, thick, rounded, monolith protruding from the rock

Bolt

A stainless steel anchor point secured in the rock using either an expansion bolt or glue.

Bolt runner (BR)

Another term used to describe a “carrot”.

Bolt plate

A stainless steel plate that attaches to a carrot, creating an anchor point.

Bomber

A hold, jam, or anchor that is strong, secure, and completely reliable.

Booty

A piece of equipment unintentionally, or deliberately, left behind by a climber that is recovered by another climber.

Bouldering

A discipline of climbing that relies on strong technical moves over a short distance which is protected by a crash pad and spotter.

Brake hand

The belayer’s hand responsible for controlling the brake strand of the rope.

Bridging

See Stemming.

Buddy check

A safety check carried out by both the climber and belayer to confirm each other’s equipment setup is correct before starting the climb.

Bump

Rapidly moving a hand from one hold to another nearby hold.

Buttress

A large rock formation jutting out from the side of a cliff or mountain.

C

Cam

See Spring Loaded Camming Device.

Carabiner

A connector made from aluminium or steel that has a spring loaded gate and used to link parts of equipment together.

Carrot

A stainless steel bolt with a hexagonal head that’s glued into the rock. When used with a bolt plate, it forms an anchor point for attaching a solid gate carabiner.

CEN

Comité Européen de Normalisation, translated as European Committee for Standardisation. A private, international, non-profit organisation tasked with developing standards for products and services.

Central loop

The loop of rope formed at the tie in points after tying into the rope.

Chalk

Powder made from magnesium carbonate, used to dry the hands, and improve surface grip during climbing.

Chalk bag

A drawstring pouch containing chalk, fastened around the climber’s waist with a belt and buckle or clipped to the rear of the harness.

Cheese grater

The effect of rock abrasion caused by falling off a climb, often seen in slab climbing.

Chicken head

A rock formation resembling the shape of a chicken’s head.

Chicken wing

A variation of the arm bar where the arm is bent at the elbow, and the fingers extend out, wrapping around the edge of the crack.

Chimney

A crack large enough to fit a climber in.

Chimneying

The technique used by a climber to ascend or descend a chimney by applying friction against both sides of the crack using their body.

Chockstone

A rock firmly lodged within a crack, serving as a hold, foothold, or for threading protection around it.

Choss

Poor quality rock, unsuitable for constructing anchors or climbing on, prone to breaking off when subjected to loading.

Cinch

To remove all slack from a knot or hitch.

Classic

A climb that holds historical significance and widespread popularity.

Classic abseil

Abseiling without the use of a harness or device, performed by wrapping the rope between the legs and around the torso.

Clean

Climbing a route without relying on the rope or any additional equipment for support or rest.

Cleaning

Removing equipment used to climb a route whilst being lowered or top belayed.

Climbing party

A group of two or more climbers ascending the same route together, typically in the context of multipitch climbing.

Climbing shoes

Performance enhancing shoes designed to improve balance and grip on the rock due to their shape and unique rubber composition.

Closing the system

Tying a stopper knot in the end of the brake strand to prevent the rope’s end from feeding through the belay device.

Clove hitch

A hitch formed from twin loops of rope, adjustable without needing to untie it from the anchor.

Commitment

The moment when a climber’s balance determines that they cannot retreat to the starting position of the move and must proceed to complete it.

Cord

See Accessory cord.

Cordelette

Accessory cord, usually no shorter than 6 meters in length and 7mm in diameter, with its ends secured by a bend, and used for constructing a multi-point anchor.

Corner

A formation where two plains of rock meet to create an open book shape. Opposite of an arete.

Crab

See Carabiner.

Crag

An area of cliffs and/or boulders intended for climbing.

Crash pad

A multi-layered high-density foam pad enclosed in a nylon or polyester cover, used to cushion the impact of a boulderer dropping or falling off a problem.

Crimp

Hand hold using curled fingertips to grip a small or thin hold.

Cross loading

When the force exerted across a carabiner aligns with its minor axis.

Crux

The most challenging move of a climb that determines its grade.

Cutting loose

A move used on overhangs that involves lifting both feet off the rock to shift them to another part of the climb. It demands strong upper body and core muscle strength.

Cyclic loading

The repeated loading and loading of an anchor point.

D

Daisy chain

A personal tether used by aid climbers to stabilise their body as they place equipment further up an aid route. Not to be mistaken for a personal belay lanyard or personal anchor system.

Dead end

The section of rope exiting the belay device that is controlled by the brake hand.

Dead point

A dynamic movement where the hand reaches and grasps the hold at the apex of the move.

Dead rope

An introduction to lead climbing which involves climbing on top rope whilst trailing a rope tied into your harness tie-in points to practice clipping quickdraws.

Decking out

To fall from a climb and hit the ground before the belayer can arrest the fall.

Descender

An item of equipment designed for abseiling.

Device

See Descender or Belay device.

Dihedral

See Corner.

Direction of pull

The direction in which the anchors’ load or expected loading will pull.

Dirt bag

A climber with limited funds who lives in their van at crags and dumpster dives for food. Has little regard towards money or possessions outside of what they need to survive and climb. Is known to occasionally bath in rivers and shower at local swimming pools.

Dogbone

A Dyneema or nylon sling with a loop at each end, used to connect two carabiners for making a quickdraw.

Dogged

See Hang dog.

Doubles

Ropes ranging between 8mm – 9mm, designed to be used in pairs by clipping them in alternating quickdraws to reduce rope drag.

Draw

See Quickdraw.

Dressing the knot

Neatly arranging the strands within a knot to allow a clear visual assessment of it.

Drop knee

A movement involving twisting the body towards the rock whilst dropping the knee towards the ground to create a more stable position to achieve a higher reach.

Dynamic loading

The application of force to an anchor when a climber falls onto it from above.

Dynamic move

A move that involves speed and momentum to propel yourself towards a hold.

Dynamic rope

Rope of a kernmantle design which is capable of arresting a fall by stretching and absorbing the force generated by the load.

Dynamic belay

See Soft catch.

Dyno

See Dynamic move.

E

Edging

Using a narrow edge as a foothold by standing on it with either the outside or inside edge of a climbing shoe.

Elbow

The narrow end of a carabiner.

Elvis leg

Uncontrollable shaking of the leg as a result of muscle exhaustion and/or fear. Lowering the heel or shaking out the leg can help regain control, uh-huh.

EN

European Norm, which are the technical standards for equipment developed by the European Committee for Standardisation

Equalised

The distribution of weight evenly amongst the anchor points of an anchor. There has been ongoing debate over whether true equalisation is achievable.

Ethics

The principles, or unwritten rules, that govern climbing.

Exposed

The sensation of vulnerability when realising the distance above the ground.

Extender

See Quickdraw.

F

Face

A flat vertical section of the cliff face.

Fall factor

A scale used to rate the severity of a fall.

Falling up

Leading a climb but taking multiple falls as you progress up the route, suggesting that the climb may exceed your current ability level.

Finger jam

Compressing and manipulating your fingers into a crack to maintain contact with the rock when no handholds are available.

First ascent

The first successful ascent of a climb.

Fixed line

A rope anchored at the top of a cliff, used for abseiling or top rope soloing.

Fixed protection

A metal anchor that has been permanently secured in the rock using an expansion bolt or a polyester adhesive.

Flagging

Extending one foot sideways with a straight leg and using the toe of your climbing shoe to make contact with the rock to enhance stability.

Flapper

A partially torn piece of skin that hangs loose and flaps around if not taped up.

Flash

Climbing a route without falling or resting, but with the assistance of beta on the first attempt.

Flake

A section of thin rock which is semi-detached from the main face.

Foot jam

Jamming and contorting your foot into a crack to maintain contact with the rock when no footholds are available.

Footer

A section of rock on a climb used as a foothold.

Free climbing

Climbing a sport or traditional route using handholds, footers, and jamming techniques without resting, or relying on, the equipment placed for protection.

Free solo

Climbing a sport or traditional route without the use of a belayer or protection.

French free

The process of aiding your way up a short section of climb by pulling on quickdraws or other pieces of gear.

Friction hitch

A hitch made from accessory cord or a nylon sling that grips the rope when loaded in the direction of pull. Commonly used for prusiking, hauling systems, and third hands.

Friend

See Spring Loaded Camming Device (SLCD)

G

Galvanic corrosion

When dissimilar metals maintain contact with each other for an extended period, leading to the onset of corrosion.

Gaston

A vertical hold gripped with the palm facing out, whilst applying horizontal pressure to it.

Gate

The section of a carabiner that swings open and closed on a hinge.

Gate flutter

Small unintentional movement of a carabiner’s gate caused by vibrations generated from the movement of attached equipment.

Gate whiplash

The partial or complete opening and closing of a carabiner’s gate due to vibrations.

Gear

A generic term referring to both sport and traditional climbing equipment.

Gear loop

The unrated loops surrounding the waist of the harness used for stowing gear.

Girth hitch

A sling wrapped around an anchor point with one end threaded through the other before cinching tight.

Guidebook

A collection of comprehensive information about a specific region of crags, including historical facts, access details, routes, flora, and fauna.

Guide hand

The hand used by the belayer to manage the live end of the rope.

Guide mode

Setting up a manually operated belay device to serve as an assisted braking device for top belaying.

H

Hand jam

Jamming your hand into a crack and contorting it to maintain contact with the rock when no holds are available.

Hangboard

A hand and finger strength training tool.

Hang dog

To sit on the rope and weight the protection in order to rest or assess the climb.

Hanging belay

Creating a suspended belay stance off an anchor when there is no ledge for the belayer to stand on.

Harness

Safety equipment worn by a climber or belayer, consisting of adjustable waist and leg loops, rope tie-in points, belay loop, gear loops, and haul loop.

Haul loop

A non-safety loop at the rear of the harness intended solely for trailing a rope or hauling equipment.

Heel hook

Placing the heel of the shoe on a hold to stabilise yourself and pull through a move.

Helmet

Protective headwear designed to absorb impact energy and reduce the force of a blow to the head.

Hexentric

A six sided chock designed for use as either active or passive protection that is placed into a crack to act as a point of protection. It comes treaded with either a nylon sling or steel wire, depending on the brand.

Highball

A boulder problem typically taller than 5 meters. Highball problems can lead to serious injury if you fall, even with crash pads and a spotter in place.

Hitch

Ropework that relies on the item it’s secured to remaining in place to fulfill its intended function. If the item is removed the hitch will fall apart, unlike a knot which maintains its structure even without external support.

HMS

The abbreviation for the German word “Halbmastwurfsicherung,” which translates to “half clove hitch belay,” commonly used when referring to large pear-shaped carabiners.

Hold

A feature or part of the rock used by the hand to support the body and progress through a climb.

I

Ice cream grade

Reportedly a Norwegian tradition where a climber treats everyone present to ice cream if they successfully climb their most challenging route to date.

IFMGA

International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations. The IFMGA oversees the global profession of mountain guiding by setting and upholding standards of practice and a code of professional ethics.

In hard

When a climber attaches themselves directly to an anchor point using a personal belay lanyard, sling, or rope.

Italian hitch

An alternate name for a Munter hitch.

J

Jam

Jamming and contorting one or more body parts into a crack to maintain contact with the rock when no footholds or handholds are available.

Jug

A large hold with a lip big enough to wrap your fingers around.

Jugging

The term used when using a mechanical ascender to move up a rope.

Jumar

A hand operated mechanical ascender, typically used in pairs.

K

Kilonewton

A measurement of force used to determine the minimum breaking strength of climbing equipment.

Kneebar

Performing a jam by pressing your knee against the upper part of a crack whilst pushing down with your foot on the lower section of the crack. A strong kneebar can allow you to rest without using your hands.

L

Layaway

See Layback

Layback

Leaning back on a hold whilst applying opposing force through the feet.

Leader

A climber who ascends a route, placing their own protection and clips the rope into it as they go.

Lead climbing

The process of placing protection and clipping the rope into it whilst climbing, which involves the climber moving above their last point of protection to place the next piece.

Lead fall

Taking a fall whilst lead climbing, which results in the climber falling a distance twice the length of the rope from their harness to the last point of protection.

Ledge

A flat horizontal surface large enough for standing or sitting on.

Lie back

See Lay back.

Live end

The strand of rope exiting the belay device to which the climber is tied into.

Locker

See Locking carabiner.

Lock off

Engaging the muscles in a bent arm whilst gripping a hold.

Locking carabiner

A carabiner with a locking mechanism that secures the gate in the closed position.

Lower offs

Fixed anchors at the top of a route which a climber threads their rope through so their belayer can lower them to the ground. Lower offs can also be abseiled off or used to build top rope or belay anchors.

M

Mallion

A slim oval shape connector with a hexagonal thimble that screws onto a thread to secure the connection.

Mantle

Climbing onto a ledge by placing both hands palm down on it, pushing down with your arms whilst walking your feet up, and stepping onto the ledge.

Masterpoint

The central point of an anchor used as the primary connection for belaying or establishing a top rope.

Matching

Placing two hands, or two feet, next to each other on the same hold.

Mixed climbing

Relying upon fixed protection and traditional anchors to complete a climb.

Mono

A small pocket large enough for one finger to be inserted into and used as a hold.

Monolith

A large single piece of stone that can be used as a standalone anchor point.

Multipitch

A route consisting of two or more pitches, requiring multiple anchors and top belays to climb.

Munter hitch

Ropework technique used for abseiling directly from a carabiner in the absence of an abseil device.

N

Nut

Metal chocks of varying sizes that are wedged into a crack and used as a point of protection on a traditional or mixed route.

Nut key

See Nut tool.

Nut tool

A thin metal tool with a hooked nose and broad flat base used to remove stuck nuts and spring loaded camming devices.

O

Offwidth

A crack too wide to hand, foot, or finger jam, but too narrow to fit your body inside.

Onsight

Climbing a route for the first time without falling, resting on equipment, or having prior beta.

Overhang

A steep section of rock that transitions from vertical to leaning over the ground. Often requires the climber to reach up and back over the rock to access hand holds or bolts.

P

Palming

Placing an open palm on the rock to stabilise and support the body whilst making a move.

Passive protection

A piece of traditional climbing gear without moving parts, inserted into a crack or constriction in the rock for protection.

Pay out

Feeding rope to a climber through a belay device.

Pendulum

A fall that causes the climber to swing left and right, with the last anchor point serving as the pivot point.

Permadraw

A quickdraw secured to a bolt using a mallion and left in place.

Personal Anchor System (PAS)

A piece of personal safety equipment intended to prevent falling from heights by establishing a direct connection between a harness and an anchor. A generic term often used to describe a personal belay lanyard.

Personal belay lanyard

A lanyard designed to withstand a fall factor 2, used for connecting the harness to a belay stance.

Pinch

Gripping a hold with two or more fingertips.

Pink point

Successfully climbing a route after attempting it for the first time on pre-placed gear.

Pitch

The section of climb between the belay station and the next set of anchors.

Piton

A metal wedge with an eye at one end that is hammered into a crack and used as point of protection.

Placement

When traditional climbing gear is placed in the rock, whether it’s considered a good or poor placement.

Pocket

Recessed rock formations of various size and depth used as holds by inserting your finger, fingers, or hand inside it.

Portaledge

A small, portable ledge set up on the side of a cliff and secured to an anchor. It serves as a belay station, lunchtime ledge, and can also be used for sleeping on.

Positive hold

A hold that can be used without requiring the opposing force from another part of the body.

Power point

See masterpoint.

Pro

Abbreviation for protection.

Problem

The term used to describe an unprotected climb on a boulder.

Project

A route that a climber has attempted and failed to complete due to difficulty yet continues to climb it with the future goal of sending it.

Protection

Equipment designed and used by climbers to reduce the risk of falling and injury whilst climbing.

Prow

A narrow overhanging arete.

Prusik hitch

A friction hitch made from accessory cord, usually 6mm in diameter, used for ascending and descending a fixed rope.

Prusiking

Ascending a rope using a cord and friction hitch connected to the harness and another  cord hitched to the rope for standing up.

Pumped

When muscles are overworked, blood flow is impaired, resulting in pain and loss of strength in the forearms.

Q

Quickdraw

Two carabiners connected by a dogbone and used to attach the climber’s rope to a bolt or traditional equipment.

R

Rack

The term used when referring to a collection of equipment used for traditional climbing.

Racked up

A harness equipped with all the necessary gear for a climb. Commonly associated with traditional climbing.

Rail

A narrow horizontal rock ledge used as a hold.

Rappelling

A term commonly used outside of Australia and New Zealand when referring to abseiling.

Rap rings

Stainless steel rings connected to a fixed anchor used to lower a climber or abseil off.

Rated

The term used to identify an item of equipment that meets UIAA and EN standards of testing.

Red point

Climbing a route without resting or falling, whilst placing gear, but not on the first attempt.

Redundancy

Having two or more points of protection in place to provide ongoing safety should one point of protection fail.

Retire

To permanently discontinue the use of a piece of equipment due to damage that compromises its integrity or compromise the integrity of another piece of equipment if used together.

Rock over

Transferring your body weight up and onto a high stepped foot to gain progress up a move.

Roof

An overhanging section of rock that extends horizontally from the wall, parallel to the ground, and is longer than the length of a climber’s body.

Rooflet

A roof that is shorter than the length of a climber’s body.

Rope drag

Difficulty in pulling the rope caused by extensive friction from it running through multiple points of contact and surface areas.

Rope protection

An item used to protect the rope from sharp edges and abrasion, such as carpet offcuts or specially made sleeves crafted from PVC.

Route

The path a climb follows from start to finish.

RP

A brand of brass nuts manufactured in Melbourne by German climber Roland Pauligk.

Run out

An extended distance between the last point of lead protection to the next. Typically associated with the feeling of fear and uncertainty.

Runnel

A groove shaped by the flow of water.

Runner

A textile extender joined at the ends such as a sling or a loop of tape tied off with a water knot.

S

Sandbagged

A climb or problem that is considered harder than its assigned grade.

Scoop

A large oval or circular depression in rock.

Scramble

Moving over rocky terrain that does not require climbing shoes or protection to cross.

Scree

Loose small rocks found either at the base of, or along the path leading up to a cliff.

Screw gate

See Locking carabiner.

Second

The second climber in a party who ascends the route whilst being belayed from above.

Send

To successfully free climb a route, typically after a period of projecting it.

Sequence

A set of moves performed in a specific order to get through a part of a climb or problem.

Shaking out

Shaking the forearms and hands to improve blood flow and alleviate forearm pump.

Sharp end

The end of the rope the lead climber is tied into.

Shock load

Force introduced to the remaining anchor points after one or more pieces of its gear fails whilst under load. This may result in further or even total anchor failure.

Short rope

Not paying out enough rope to a climber, resulting in the rope becoming taut and pulling the climber off the route.

Side pull

A vertically orientated hold used by applying horizontal pressure towards yourself.

Sit start

A bouldering term referring to starting a problem as low to the ground as possible without sitting on the ground.

Sky hook

A metal hook placed on top of a thin horizontal edge to provide protection, often used in aid or big wall climbing.

Slab

Rock leaning up and away from the climber with little to no holds that requires friction from fingertips, palms, and shoes to climb.

Slack

The introduction of loose rope in the system.

SLCD

Abbreviation for spring loaded camming device.

Sling

A length of tape, accessory cord, or rope, that has its ends joined together either by stitching or with a bend.

Sloper

A smooth rounded hold that can only be gripped in an open handed manner.

Smear

Downward force applied through the sole of a climbing shoe’s toe box to create friction on a flat surface of rock.

Snap gate

The term used when referring to a solid gate non-locking carabiner.

Soft catch

Slowing the descent of a falling climber to reduce the force of impact. This can be done by stepping forward or jumping up before arresting the fall.

Solid gate carabiner

A carabiner with a gate made from a solid piece of metal.

Spring loaded camming device

A traditional climbing anchor that relies on friction to stay in place within a crack or break in the rock. It operates on a spring-loaded trigger system that expands and contracts the anchor for secure placement.

Splitter

A vertical crack with clean, parallel sides that splits a cliff face in half. Often referred to as the perfect crack.

Spooge

A greasy residue covering the rocks surface, reducing the ability to generate friction.

Sport climbing

A discipline of climbing that relies on fixed anchors to protect the entire climb.

Spotting

Standing beneath a climber with hands up and thumbs tucked in ready to protect their head and neck should they fall before making the first clip.

Stance

A stable and comfortable position on a climb that allows for resting or placing protection.

Standing end

The end of the rope not being used for tying a knot. Opposite to the working end.

Static loading

Controlled and intentional weighting of an anchor.

Static move

A controlled move without relying on momentum, whilst keeping three points of contact on the wall.

Static rope

Low stretch rope of a kernmantle design used for abseiling.

Stemming

Positioning one foot on adjacent rock surfaces and applying opposing forces to maintain stability.

Step through

Moving one foot between the adjacent leg and the rock to reach another footer.

Stick clip

A telescopic pole or long stick with adhesive tape, used to attach a quickdraw to a bolt.

Stitch plate

The original belay device invented by Fritz Sticht and Hermann Huber.

Stopper knot

A knot that prevents the tail end of the rope from slipping back into itself, or through a belay device.

Straight gate

A non-locking solid gate carabiner with a straight gate, attached to one end of a quickdraw and used for clipping protection.

T

Tail

The short end of the rope that comes out of a knot, often secured with a stopper knot.

Take

A climbers call instructing the belayer to remove all slack from the system and lock off the belay device to support their weight whilst they rest.

Tape

A narrow, flat textile structure designed to support a static load, but not intended to absorb energy from a dynamic load.

That’s me

A second’s call to the belayer informing them that all necessary slack has been taken up and that they should prepare to belay.

Thread

To pass, or feed, a rope, sling, or cord through the opening of a natural feature or anchor point.

Third hand

A friction hitch tied to the standing end of the rope, serving as a backup in case the abseiler loses control of their descent.

Tick mark

A chalk mark on the rock indicating the location of a key hold to help climbers or boulderers find holds that are obstructed from view. Tick marks should be cleaned off the rock at the completion of the session out of respect to climbers who do not wish to use them, and to assist with maintaining the natural appearance of the rock.

Tight

See Take hard

Tipped out

When the lobes of a SLCD are nearing full extension within their operational range, leaving the tips of the lobes touching the rock.

Toe box

The front part of a climbing shoe that covers the top, bottom, and sides of the toes.

Toe hook

Gripping the rock using the upper portion or side part of the toe box.

Topo

See Topographical map.

Topographical map

A map detailing both man made and natural features on the Earth’s surface using contour lines to represent elevation and slope.

Top out

Transitioning from the end of the climb onto the top of the cliff.

Top belay

Belaying a climber up a route from the top of a pitch.

Top roping

A discipline of climbing where the anchor is positioned at the top of a route, and the rope runs from the belayer, up through the master point, and back down to the climber.

Trad

Abbreviation for traditional climbing.

Traditional climbing

A discipline of climbing that relies on placing passive and active equipment to protect the climb. This equipment is then removed once the climb is complete.

Tramming

A technique for cleaning a steep lead climb which involves clipping one end of a quickdraw to the belay loop and the other end to the rope going down to the belayer. Using the belayers end of the rope, the climber pulls themselves in closer to rock as they are lowered so they can clean the route. The quickdraw assists the climber with remaining close to the rope.

Traverse

A section of climb where the climber moves horizontally along the rock face instead of vertically.

Triples

A rope ranging between 8.5mm – 9.2mm, designed for use as a single, double, or twin rope.

Twins

Ropes ranging between 7mm – 8mm, designed to be use in pairs by clipping them into the same quickdraw.

U

UIAA

Union Internationale Des Associations D’Alpinisme, translated as International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation. The UIAA promotes and protects mountaineering and climbing worldwide. Its Commissions propose guidelines, sets policies, and represents the global climbing community’s interests.

Undercling

A hold that is gripped using fingertips or hands with the palm facing up.

W

Walk in

The time taken to reach a crag.

Walking

When a spring loaded camming device moves further into or out of its placement due to movement from the attached rope.

Webbing

See Tape.

Wire gate carabiner

A non-locking carabiner with a gate made from a loop of stainless steel wire.

Whipper

A lengthy fall due to the route being run out.

Woody

A homemade wooden training board or climbing wall.

Working end

The end of the rope a climber ties into. Opposite to the standing end.

Z

Z-clipping

When the lead climber takes the rope entering the previous quickdraw and clips it into the next one, forming a Z-like shape. This can lead to a significant drop if the climber falls before clipping the next quickdraw, posing a safety risk.

Z-haul

A hauling system used to raise a stranded abseiler or climber to the top of a cliff.

Zippering

When most or all poorly placed traditional equipment is ripped out one after the other as the climber falls.