Redpoint (climbing)

In rock climbing, a redpoint is a successful free-climb of a climbing route that is performed by a lead climber. The lead climber can use rock-climbing equipment only for their protection, and not as an artificial aid to rest or help them ascend. The lead climber can have attempted or practised the route many times beforehand, such as by headpointing or top roping.

When performed on the first attempt, a successful redpoint is typically called onsight (without prior knowledge about beta), or flash (with beta provided by others). Typically, lead climbers try to redpoint a route after having failed to onsight or flash it. Regardless of the number of attempts required to perform it, the first successful redpoint of a climbing route is recorded as the first free ascent (FFA) of that route.