Rock Climbing Terminology

Rock climbing is considered an extreme sport and it is true. Once you get a taste of it, however, you will be addicted. To immerse yourself in the fun of hanging from vertical services, you need to know the terminology used.

As you might guess, there are different types of climbing. Sport climbing is a version that allows for the perfection of technique without a lot of the steps that slow a climb down. Bolts are pre-placed, so you do not need to place them.

One of the pillars of rock climbing is the bolt. A bolt is pretty much what it sounds like. It is a piece of steel bolted into a rock and used as an anchor. Due to its strong hold on the rock, it is a very safe think to hook on to prevent long falls.

Rock climbing is obvious subject to the weather and the time you have to get out to a particular spot. Given our busy lives, it is little surprise indoor rock climbing has become huge. Climbing gyms offer indoor walls you can climb and work on your technique.

At its core, free solo climbing is the sport at its most pure. It is literally you and the rock. No gear, no ropes, no nothing. You rely on your own skill completely. Of course, you have no safety element if you fall. Only to be done by expert climbers.

If you are going to do some serious ice climbing, your feet are critical. You need to anchor yourself on the ice with your toes, and rigid crampons are the answer. They fit snugly over the bottom of your boot and have spiked toes that anchor into the ice.

What do rock climbers do during the winter? They either fly somewhere warm to climb or go ice climbing. If you ice climb, you need to know what crampons are. They are spikes that strap onto the bottom of your boots and can be used to anchor yourself.

When is freedom not free? When we are talking about free climbing. Free climbing sounds as though it would be done without equipment, but it is not. It actually refers to being on a climb, but not required to haul up gear, rope and what have you.

One you get serious about climbing, the subject of holds will come front and center. A jug hold is a rock formation that is perfectly shaped for the hand. They tend to be rounded and taper down the back so you can put your hand over in the most comfortable way.

Obviously, the above represents a small sampling of the terminology used by climbers. If you are getting into the sport, pick up a book and learn all you can. Of course, you’ll need to learn the slang on the climb.

By: Spence Talbots.

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