climbing Climbing is the activity of using one's hands, feet, or any other part of the body to ascend a steep topographical object that can range from the world's tallest mountains (e.g. the eight thousanders), to small boulders. Climbing is done fo ...

, topo is the graphical representation (sketch drawing or a photograph with routes depicted) of a climbing route. Topo is also a

climbing guidebook Climbing guidebooks are used by rock climbers to find the location of climbing routes at crags or on mountains. Many guidebooks also offer condensed information about local restaurants, bars and camping areas; often include sections on geology an ...

of a

crag Crag may refer to: * Crag (climbing), a cliff or group of cliffs, in any location, which is or may be suitable for climbing * Crag (dice game), a dice game played with three dice * Crag, Arizona, US * Crag, West Virginia, US * Crag and tail, a g ...

or climbing area in which most routes are described graphically by such topos. Each individual topo gives the approximate shape of the route, the important rock formations close to the route and details of the grade, lines of the various rock climbs, and protection of each section of the climb. Topo guides usually also include the length of the climbs, where exactly each climb starts, and how to get to the area of the climb. It will usually specify if a climb is a sport climb (with fixed protection) or a trad climb (traditional, e.g. needing

gear A gear is a rotating circular machine part having cut teeth or, in the case of a cogwheel or gearwheel, inserted teeth (called ''cogs''), which mesh with another (compatible) toothed part to transmit (convert) torque and speed. The basic pr ...

to install protection during climb). Some topo guides also include extra information such as parking, approach times, sun or shade, and type of climbing (powerful, sustained etc.).

References

Climbing {{climbing-stub fr:Topo d'escalade nl:Klimgids