Dictionary of Climbing Words
Here is a general compilation of technical climbing words and phrases, with definitions and explanations. Remember that this is strictly a glossary of common American terms.
Abseil
Definition of Abseil, a climbing word for rappelling or descending by sliding down a rope.
Definition of Abseil, a climbing word for rappelling or descending by sliding down a rope.
Aid Climbing
Definition of Aid Climbing, a climbing word for ascending cliffs by using the aid of gear for upward progress.
Definition of Aid Climbing, a climbing word for ascending cliffs by using the aid of gear for upward progress.
Alpine Start
Definition of Alpine Start, climbing words for getting an early start on a climbing day in the mountains.
Definition of Alpine Start, climbing words for getting an early start on a climbing day in the mountains.
Alpine Style Climbing
Definition of Alpine Style Climbing, climbing words for climbing fast and light in the mountains.
Definition of Alpine Style Climbing, climbing words for climbing fast and light in the mountains.
Anchor
Definition of Anchor, a climbing word for a piece of gear or natural object that ties or anchors a climber to a face.
Definition of Anchor, a climbing word for a piece of gear or natural object that ties or anchors a climber to a face.
Approach
Definition of Approach, a climbing word for hiking and scrambling to rock faces and mountain peaks.
Definition of Approach, a climbing word for hiking and scrambling to rock faces and mountain peaks.
Belay Ledge
Definition of Belay Ledge, climbing words for a ledge or shelf on a route where a climber sets up a belay station.
Definition of Belay Ledge, climbing words for a ledge or shelf on a route where a climber sets up a belay station.
Belay
Definition of Belay, a climbing word for the process of securing and safeguarding a rope for a climber.
Definition of Belay, a climbing word for the process of securing and safeguarding a rope for a climber.
Big Wall
Definition of Big Wall, climbing words for a tall cliff that usually takes several days to ascend.
Definition of Big Wall, climbing words for a tall cliff that usually takes several days to ascend.
Bight
Definition of Bight, a climbing word for an open loop or bend in a climbing rope.
Definition of Bight, a climbing word for an open loop or bend in a climbing rope.
Bivouac
Definition of Bivouac, climbing word for a temporary campsite in the open.
Definition of Bivouac, climbing word for a temporary campsite in the open.
Boulder Problem
Definition of Boulder Problem, climbing words for describing short routes done on boulders.
Definition of Boulder Problem, climbing words for describing short routes done on boulders.
Bouldering
Definition of Bouldering, a climbing word for ascending boulders and small cliffs.
Definition of Bouldering, a climbing word for ascending boulders and small cliffs.
Bucket
Definition of Bucket, a climbing word for a large handhold.
Definition of Bucket, a climbing word for a large handhold.
Cairn
Definition of Cairn, a climbing word for a stack of stones that marks a trail or summit.
Definition of Cairn, a climbing word for a stack of stones that marks a trail or summit.
Chipping
Definition of Chipping, a climbing word for creating and altering hand and footholds.
Definition of Chipping, a climbing word for creating and altering hand and footholds.
Clean
Definition of Clean, a climbing word for removing gear from a route, climbing it without any aid moves, or aid climbing without pitons.
Definition of Clean, a climbing word for removing gear from a route, climbing it without any aid moves, or aid climbing without pitons.
Climbing
Definition of Climbing, a climbing word for ascending boulders, cliffs, ice falls, and mountains.
Definition of Climbing, a climbing word for ascending boulders, cliffs, ice falls, and mountains.
Clipping
Definition of Clipping, a climbing word for attaching a carabiner or quickdraw to a piece of gear.
Definition of Clipping, a climbing word for attaching a carabiner or quickdraw to a piece of gear.
Clove Hitch
Definition of Clove Hitch, climbing words for a knot to tie a rope to a carabiner, anchor, or tree.
Definition of Clove Hitch, climbing words for a knot to tie a rope to a carabiner, anchor, or tree.
Crack Climbing
Definition of Crack Climbing, climbing words for ascending fissures or cracks in rock faces by jamming or wedging body parts into them.
Definition of Crack Climbing, climbing words for ascending fissures or cracks in rock faces by jamming or wedging body parts into them.
Crimp
Definition of Crimp, a climbing word for a fingertip handhold
Definition of Crimp, a climbing word for a fingertip handhold
Double Figure-8 Fisherman’s Knot
Definition of Double Figure-8 Fisherman’s Knot, climbing words for the best knot to tie 2 ropes together.
Definition of Double Figure-8 Fisherman’s Knot, climbing words for the best knot to tie 2 ropes together.
Double Fisherman’s Knot
A Double Fisherman’s Knot is a good rock climbing knot used for tying two ropes together for rappelling.
A Double Fisherman’s Knot is a good rock climbing knot used for tying two ropes together for rappelling.
Double Overhand Knot
Definition of Double Overhand Knot, climbing words for a knot used to tie 2 ropes together for rappelling.
Definition of Double Overhand Knot, climbing words for a knot used to tie 2 ropes together for rappelling.
Downclimb
Definition of Downclimb, a climbing word for descending a rock face or mountain using hands and feet.
Definition of Downclimb, a climbing word for descending a rock face or mountain using hands and feet.
Dry-Tooling
Definition of Dry-Tooling, climbing words for climbing rock with ice climbing gear.
Definition of Dry-Tooling, climbing words for climbing rock with ice climbing gear.
Dyno
Definition of Dyno, a climbing word for a dynamic movement to a handhold.
Definition of Dyno, a climbing word for a dynamic movement to a handhold.
Edge
Definition of Edge, a climbing word for a small ledge used for a handhold or foothold.
Definition of Edge, a climbing word for a small ledge used for a handhold or foothold.
Edging
Definition of Edging, a climbing word for standing on a small edge foothold with a rock shoe.
Definition of Edging, a climbing word for standing on a small edge foothold with a rock shoe.
Exposure
Definition of Exposure, a climbing word for the air under your rock shoes.
Definition of Exposure, a climbing word for the air under your rock shoes.
Face Climbing
Definition of Face Climbing, climbing words for ascending a rock face using edges, pockets, and other handholds.
Definition of Face Climbing, climbing words for ascending a rock face using edges, pockets, and other handholds.
Fall
Definition of Fall, a climbing word for plunging off a route.
Definition of Fall, a climbing word for plunging off a route.
Figure-8 Follow-Through Knot
Definition of Figure-8 Follow-Through Knot, climbing words for the best and most used knot for tying a rope into a harness.
Definition of Figure-8 Follow-Through Knot, climbing words for the best and most used knot for tying a rope into a harness.
Figure-8-on-a-Bight Knot
Definition of Figure-8-on-a-Bight Knot, climbing words for a secure knot used to tie a climber to an anchor.
Definition of Figure-8-on-a-Bight Knot, climbing words for a secure knot used to tie a climber to an anchor.
Finger Crack
Definition of Finger Crack, climbing words for a finger-sized crack that is ascend by jamming or wedging a climber's fingers into.
Definition of Finger Crack, climbing words for a finger-sized crack that is ascend by jamming or wedging a climber's fingers into.
Finger Jam
Definition of Finger Jam, climbing words for climbing a thin finger-sized crack by jamming or wedging fingers into it.
Definition of Finger Jam, climbing words for climbing a thin finger-sized crack by jamming or wedging fingers into it.
Fingerlock
Definition of Fingerlock, a climbing word for a specialized finger jam that holds or locks the climber into a thin finger-sized crack.
Definition of Fingerlock, a climbing word for a specialized finger jam that holds or locks the climber into a thin finger-sized crack.
First Ascent
Definition of First Ascent, climbing words for the first person or people to ascend a climbing route or mountain peak.
Definition of First Ascent, climbing words for the first person or people to ascend a climbing route or mountain peak.
Fist Crack
Definition of Fist Crack, climbing words for a crack that is as wide as a climber's fist.
Definition of Fist Crack, climbing words for a crack that is as wide as a climber's fist.
Fist Jam
Definition of Fist Jam, climbing words for a crack climbing technique using a climber's fists.
Definition of Fist Jam, climbing words for a crack climbing technique using a climber's fists.
Fixed Rope
Definition of Fixed Rope, climbing words that refer to a rope that is left in place on a route or mountain.
Definition of Fixed Rope, climbing words that refer to a rope that is left in place on a route or mountain.
Flagging
Definition of Flagging, a climbing word for using a leg to stay in balance rather than weighting it.
Definition of Flagging, a climbing word for using a leg to stay in balance rather than weighting it.
Following
Definition of Following , a climbing word for when a climber follows or comes up second on a route.
Definition of Following , a climbing word for when a climber follows or comes up second on a route.
Foothold
Definition of Foothold, a climbing word for a point on a cliff face where a climber places his foot.
Definition of Foothold, a climbing word for a point on a cliff face where a climber places his foot.
Free Climbing
Definition of Free Climbing, climbing words for ascending a rock face using hands and feet and gear for protection.
Definition of Free Climbing, climbing words for ascending a rock face using hands and feet and gear for protection.
Free Soloing
Definition of Free Soloing, climbing words for free climbing a rock face without a rope or any safety gear.
Definition of Free Soloing, climbing words for free climbing a rock face without a rope or any safety gear.
Front Pointing
Definition of Front Pointing, climbing words for ice climbing with the points or spikes on the front of a pair of crampons.
Definition of Front Pointing, climbing words for ice climbing with the points or spikes on the front of a pair of crampons.
Glissade
Definition of Glissade, a climbing word for a controlled sliding descent with an ice axe down a snowfield.
Definition of Glissade, a climbing word for a controlled sliding descent with an ice axe down a snowfield.
Hand Crack
Definition of Hand Crack, climbing words for a hand-sized crack that is ascended by jamming or wedging a climber's hands into.
Definition of Hand Crack, climbing words for a hand-sized crack that is ascended by jamming or wedging a climber's hands into.
Hand Traverse
Definition of Hand Traverse, climbing words for horizontal movement using hands and arms rather than legs.
Definition of Hand Traverse, climbing words for horizontal movement using hands and arms rather than legs.
Handhold
Definition of Handhold, a climbing word for a point on a cliff face that a climber uses with her hands to make upward progress.
Definition of Handhold, a climbing word for a point on a cliff face that a climber uses with her hands to make upward progress.
Hanging Belay
Definition of Hanging Belay, climbing words for when a climber belays in aiders because no ledge is available.
Definition of Hanging Belay, climbing words for when a climber belays in aiders because no ledge is available.
Heel Hook
Definition of Heel Hook, climbing words for an advanced technique when a climber's heel hooks onto a hold.
Definition of Heel Hook, climbing words for an advanced technique when a climber's heel hooks onto a hold.
Hold
Definition of Hold, a climbing word for a point on a cliff face where a climber uses hands and feet to progress upwards.
Definition of Hold, a climbing word for a point on a cliff face where a climber uses hands and feet to progress upwards.
Hypothermia
Definition of Hypothermia, a climbing word for when the temperature of the human body drops below normal.
Definition of Hypothermia, a climbing word for when the temperature of the human body drops below normal.
Jamming
Definition of Jamming, a climbing word for ascending a crack by wedging or "jamming" different parts of a climber's body into it.
Definition of Jamming, a climbing word for ascending a crack by wedging or "jamming" different parts of a climber's body into it.
Pitch
Definition of Pitch, a climbing word for a length of climbing that is usually defined by the rope.
Definition of Pitch, a climbing word for a length of climbing that is usually defined by the rope.
Pocket
Definition of Pocket, a climbing word for a hole in a rock face that is used as a handhold.
Definition of Pocket, a climbing word for a hole in a rock face that is used as a handhold.
Rappel
Definition of Rappel, a climbing word for descending fixed ropes.
Definition of Rappel, a climbing word for descending fixed ropes.
Square Fisherman’s Knot
Definition of Square Fisherman’s Knot, climbing words for a knot used to tie 2 ropes together for rappelling.
Definition of Square Fisherman’s Knot, climbing words for a knot used to tie 2 ropes together for rappelling.