ClimbingClimbing is the activity of using one's hands, feet, or other parts of the body to ascend steep topographical objects that can range from the world's tallest mountains (e.g. the eight thousanders) to small boulders. Climbing is done for locomotion, sporting recreation, for competition, and in trades that rely on ascension, such as construction and military operations.
Climbing equipmentClimbing equipment refers to a broad range of manufactured gear that is used in the activity or sport of climbing.
Alpine climbingAlpine climbing (German: Alpinklettern) is a type of mountaineering that uses any of a broad range of advanced climbing techniques, including rock climbing, ice climbing, and/or mixed climbing, to summit typically large rock, ice, or snow-covered climbing routes (e.g., multi-pitch or big wall climbs) in mountainous environments. Alpine climbing began in the European Alps, but is now performed in any remote mountainous area, including in the Himalayas and Patagonia.
Pitch (climbing)In climbing, a pitch is a section of a climbing route between two belay points (or belay stations), and is most commonly related to the task of lead climbing (going up), but is also related to abseiling (going down). Climbing on routes that require only one pitch is known as single-pitch climbing, and climbing on routes with more than one pitch is known as multi-pitch climbing (where the number is large, it can be big wall or alpine climbing).
Big wall climbingBig wall climbers on the route Zodiac (5.7 A2+ VI (aid), 5.13d VI (free), 16-pitches) on El Capitan, in YosemiteBig wall climbing is a form of rock climbing that takes place on both very long and very sheer multi-pitchclimbing routes – of at least 10 pitches or 300–500 metres (980–1,640 ft) in length – that require a full day, if not several days, to ascend.
Lead climbingLead climbing (or leading) is a technique in rock climbing where two climbers work together to ascend a climbing route. The lead climber clips their rope into pieces of protection as they ascend the route. The 'second' stands at the base of the route controlling the other end of the rope, which is called belaying (e.g. if the lead climber falls, the second locks the rope).
Climbing routeA climbing route (German: Kletterrouten) is a path by which a climber reaches the top of a mountain, a rock-face, or an ice-covered obstacle. Climbing routes are recorded in a climbing guidebooks and/or in online climbing-route databases.
Multi-pitch climbingMulti-pitch climbing is a type of climbing that typically takes place on climbing routes that are more than a single rope length – approximately 50 to 70 metres – in height (or distance), and thus where the lead climber cannot complete the climb as a single pitch.
Glossary of climbing termsThis is a glossary of climbing terms related to rock climbing (including aid climbing, lead climbing, bouldering, and competition climbing), mountaineering, and to ice climbing. The terms used can vary between different English-speaking countries; many of the phrases described here are particular to the United States and the United Kingdom.
Solo climbingSolo climbing (or soloing) is a style of climbing in which the climber ascends a climbing route alone and deliberately without the assistance of a belayer (or "second"), or being part of any rope team. By its very nature, solo climbing presents a higher degree of risk to the climber as they are entirely reliant on their own skills (e.g. climbing technique, navigation) and their own equipment to complete the climbing route – any serious problems may require a self-rescue.
Rock climbingRock climbing is a climbing sports discipline that involves ascending routes consisting of natural rock in an outdoor environment, or on artificial climbing walls in a mostly indoor environment. Routes are documented in guidebooks, and on online databases, detailing how to climb the route (called the beta), and who made the first ascent (or FA) and the coveted first free ascent (or FFA).
Simul-climbingSimul-climbing (or using a running-belay) is a climbing technique where a pair of climbers who are attached by a rope simultaneously ascend a multi-pitch climbingroute. It contrasts with lead climbing where the leader ascends a given pitch on the route while the second climber remains in a fixed position to belay the leader in case they fall.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.