(d) Bohrhaken, (f) Scellement / goujon, (i) Spit, (e) Spits/Bolt, (s) Bult, (pl) Spit
Welcome to The Climbing Dictionary !!!
This dictionary gives definitions of American and English climbing terms and translations of those terms in other languages. If you have anything to contribute to this dictionary (remarks, comments, new or better definitions, corrections, other language ?), then mail me (in either English, French, German, or Dutch). Your help is gratefully acknowledged (even though it might take a while before I update the dictionary). !! If you intend to sue me, then read this disclaimer first. You can of course also add this page as a link to your home page.
The terms in this list are sorted alphabetically in English. The translations are labeled as follows: (d) German, (f) French, (f-c) Canadian French, (nl) Dutch, (i) Italian, (e) Spanish, (s) Swedish and (pl) Polish. I do not have the terms in Japanese, but if you want to see them (you must have a server that supports those Japanese characters though), go to the japanese version of the climbing dictionary. Any terms related the style of ascent ('Flash', 'Redpoint', etc.) are subject to different interpretations.
Some other interesting climbing information on this server:
A B C
D E F G H
I J K L M
N O P Q R
S T U V W
X Y Z
AMS
Acute mountain sickness. (Ask your medical doctor.)
(pl) Ostra choroba gorska
Anchor
Point where the rope is fixed to the rock.
(d) Fixpunkt/Verankerung, (f) Point d'assurage, (f-c) Point d'ancrage, (nl) Zekeringspunt,
(i) Ancoraggio, (e) Anclaje / Punto de seguro, (s) Ankare / Förankring, (pl) Punkt
asekuracyjny
Arete
A narrow (more or less - but often more less than more - horizontal) ridge.
(d) Grat, (f) Aręte, (nl) graat, (i) Cresta, (e) Cresta/Cuchilla, (pl) Grzebien
Ascenders
Devices (e.g. Jumars) to ascend a rope.
(d) Steigklemmen, (f) Jumars / Poignées ascensionnelles, (nl) Stijgklemmen, (i)
Maniglie/Ascensori, (e) Ascensores / Jumars, (s) Repklämmor, (pl) Zacisk
ATC
'Air Trafic Controller', belaying device made by Black Diamond.
Avalanche
Lots of snow or ice sliding down a mountain.
(d) Lawine, (f) Avalanche, (nl) Lawine, (i) Valanga, (e) Avalancha, (s) Lavin, (pl) Lawina
Bail, to
To give up on a rock climb or a summit attempt because of bad weather coming in.
Barn door, to
To lose the foot and hand holds on one side of the body. Usually causes the climber to
swing like a barn door.
Base camp
The lowest and largest fixed camp on a major ascent (or multiple ascents in the same
area).
(d) Basislager, (f) Camp de base, (nl) Basiskamp, (i) Campo base, (e) Campamento base, (s)
Basläger, (pl) Obozowisko
Beer
Liquid consumed in large quantities after climbing.
(d) Bier, (f) Bičre/mousse, (f-c) Broue, (nl) Bier/Pintje, (i) Birra, (e) Cerveza, (s)
Öl, (pl) Piwo
Belay, to
To secure a climber.
(d) Sichern, (f) Assurer , (nl) Zekeren, (i) Assicurare, (e) Asegurar / Dar seguridad, (s)
Säkra, (pl) Ubezpieczac
Belay Betty and Belay Bob
The girl or boyfriend of an addictive rock climber.
Belay station
A safe stance consisting of an anchor, a rope, and a belayer (aka "the belay")
(d) Standplatz, (f) Relais, (nl) Standplaats, (i) Sosta, (e) Punto de encuentro, Reuniķn,
(s) Standplats, (pl) Stanowisko
Belayer
The person at the belay station securing the climber.
(d) Sicherungsmann/frau, (f) Assureur, (nl) Zekeraar, (i) Assicuratore/trice, (e)
Asegurador, (s) Säkringsman, (pl) Asekurant
"Belay on"
When the belayer is ready to belay the climber up, he yells "Belay on". (At
least in the US, "belay on" would only confuse the hell out of a British climber
who prefers to hear "Climb when ready").
(d) "Nachkommen", (f) "Quand tu veux", (f-c) "Assuré", (nl)
"Nakomen", (i) "Puoi venire", (e) "Sube" /
"Vienes", (s) "Säkring klar", (pl) "Asekuracja gotowa"
"Below"
Used in Britain to warn for impending impact with objects coming from above (e.g. falling
rock). "Rock" in the US.
(d) "Stein", (f) "Caillou" ("Pierre" is a common French name
and might cause confusion with those individuals that respond to that name), (f-c)
"Roche", (i) "Sasso", (e) "Piedra", (s) "Sten"
Bent gate karibiner
Karibiner with the gate bent to accept the rope more easily. Not uncontroversial.
(d) Bananenkarabiner, (f) Mousqueton ā doigt incurvé, (i) Moschettone a barra ricurva,
(e) Mosquetķn express, (s) Karbin med böjd grind, (pl) Karabinek z lekko otwierajacym
sie zamkiem
(d) "Berg Heil !"
A German greeting at the summit.
Bergschrund
Or just 'schrund'. The top crevasse in a glacier or snowfield that is formed when the
glacier/snowfield tears away from the remaining patch of snow that is stable on the
mountainside.
(d) Bergschrund, (f) Rimaye
Beta
Insider information about a climb. Running or auto beta is someone telling you how to do
the moves as you go (as in "can you please shut up with that running beta, I want to
find out myself").
(d) Informationen vor dem Start, (f) Description de la voie, (i) Informazioni
Beta flash
Leading a climb with no falling or dogging, but with a piece of previous knowledge hints
on how to do those crux moves. Even seeing someone do the climb already classifies as
'previous knowledge'.
(d) Flash mit Ansage, (f) Flash
Big wall
Rock climb that is so long and sustained that a normal ascent lasts several days.
(d) Big Wall, (f) Grande paroi / grande falaise, (f-c) Grand mur, (e) Gran Pared, (s)
Storöägg / Bigwall
Biner
Short for Karabiner
(d) Kara, (f) Mousquif, (e) Mosquete / Mosquetķn, (s) Karbin, (pl) Karabinek
Birdbeak
A tiny hooked piton manufactured by A5. It is similar to the old Chouinard "Crack'n
up", except that it only has a single side and that it is intended to be hammered in
if necessary.
(pl) Rodzaj skajhuka
Bivouac
Or short, bivi. An uncomfortable sleeping place in the middle of a route.
(d) Biwak, (f) Bivouac, (nl) Bivak, (i) Bivacco, (e) Bivac, (s) Bivack, (pl) Biwak
Black ice
Old ice that was exposed to extremely cold temperatures, scree, and snowfall. Usually
found deep in shady couloirs, or on steep north faces. Very hard and dense ice that is
difficult to climb.
(f) Glace noire, (pl) Czarny lod
Blast, to
To begin a big wall, after the line fixing is done. "We're gonna blast on Tuesday
morning after we get the first three pitches fixed".
(f) Bleausard
Someone who frequents 'Bleau (or Fontainebleau, the site of some excellent bouldering near
Paris).
Blue ice
Very dense ice with a watery hue and few air bubbles.
Bolt
(d) Bohrhaken, (f) Scellement / goujon, (i) Spit, (e) Spits/Bolt, (s) Bult, (pl) Spit
Bolt, expansion
(d) Bohrhaken, (f) Cheville ā expansion, (nl) Boorhaak, (i) Caviglie da espansione, (e)
Piton de expansion, parabolt, (s) Borrbult
Bomber
Used to indicate that something is exceptionally solid, e.g. an anchor, a hold. See also
bombproof.
(e) Firme, (s) Kanon
Bombproof
The illusion that an anchor is infallible
(d) Bomben sicher, (f) béton (i) A prova di bomba, (e) A prueba de bomba, (s) Bombsäker
Bong
An almost extinct species of extra wide pitons. Now, large chocks are usually used
instead.
(f) "Bonne Grimpe !"
A greeting to climbers when they start the climb.
(e) "ĄBuena suerte!"
Bootie
Gear (nuts, cams, etc.) that was left behind on a climb by the previous party.
Boulder, to
Climbing unroped on boulders or at the foot of climbs to a height where it is still safe
to jump off.
(d) Bouldern (f) Faire du bloc, (nl) Boulderen, (i) Arrampicare su masso, (e) Boulder /
Cascarear
Bounce
To crater from an extreme height. Usually lethal.
(d) Todessturz, (pl) Obdijac sie skokami przy zjezdie
Bowline
Sailing knot (not to be used for climbing, unless backed up with a second knot)
(d) Bulinknoten/Palstek, (f) Noeud de chaise, (nl) Paalsteek, (i) (Nodo) bulino, (e)
Bulín, (s) Pålstek, (pl) Wezel tatrzanski
Brain bucket
Aka helmet. That all important hard shelled thing that covers our (second?) most valuable
asset.
Bucket
A large hold (Aka "jug", esp. in UK)
(d) Henkel, (f) Bac/baquet, (nl) bak, (i) Fibbia / Vasca, (e) Asa / gasa, (s) Brevlåda
Buildering
To climb buildings
(d) Fassadenklettern, (f-c) Escalade de ville, (nl) Geveltoerisme, (e) Escalada urbana,
(s) Fasadklättring, (pl) Wspinanie po murach
Butterfly knot
Interesting but rarely used climbing knot. Alpine butterfly
(f-c) Noeud papillon / les oreilles du Micky ??, (e) Nudo de mariposa, (pl) Motylek
Buttress
The part of the mountain or rock that stands in front of the main mountainface.
(d) Vorbau / Pfeiler, (f) Pillier, (i) Pilastro, (e) Espolķn, (s) Pelare, (pl) Pochyly
filar
Cam
Generic reference to the family of spring loaded camming devices (SLCD) such as friends,
camalots, aliens, TCUs, etc. Also refered to as springs
(d) Friends, (f) Friends, (e) Levas, (pl) Krzywka
Campus
A dyno executed using the arms only. Comes from the campus board where the people who do
this move get the muscle to do it.
(d) Frei hängend
Campus board
A wooden training board with finger ledges that is used for training dynos and finger
power.
(d) Hangelbrett, (f) Planche d'entraînement, (e) Tabla de entrenamiento
Caribiner
The alternative American spelling of the word Karibiner.
Cat, dead
Contact Greg Opland for this one...
(d) Tote Katze, (f) Chat mort, (nl) Dode kat, (i) Gatto morte, (lat) Felis oplandis, (s)
Död katt, (pl) Zdechly kot
Chalk
Magic powder that makes the hands stick to even the smoothest rock.
(d) Chalk/Magnesia, (f) Magnésie, (nl) Magnesiumpoeder, (i) Magnesia, (e) Magnesio, (s)
Krita, (pl) Magnezja
Chausey
Poor rock conditions. Also spelled chossy.
Cheese grater, to
To slide down a slab while scraping the knees, hands, and face.
Chest harness
Bra-like looking harness (to be used with waist harness)
(d) Brustklettergurt, (f) Harnais, (nl) Borstgordel, (i) Cinghia pettorale, (e) Arnés de
pecho, (s) Bröstsele, (pl) upzraz piersiowa
Chickenhead
Sometimes phallic shaped, protruding lumps that make excellent hand or footholds on
granite, etc.
(d) Zacke / Felsköpfel, (f-c) Banane, (e) Chile / cuerno, (pl) Duzy, owalny wystep skalny
Chimed
Exhausted. "This climb has got me chimed."
Chimney
A wide crack that accomodates (most of) the body of the climber.
(d)Kamin, (f) Cheminée, (nl) Schoorsteen, (i) Camino, (e) Chimenea, (s) Kamin, (pl) Komin
Chimney, to
A climbing technique used to conquer chimneys. Usually requires the use of the back and
feet, arms, head and other body parts.
(pl) Zapierac sie w kominie
Chipped hold
A hold created with a hamer and chisel by a moron uncapable of doing the climb as it is.
(d) Geschlagener Griff, (f) Prise taillée, (i) Presa scavata, (s) Chippade grepp, (pl)
Chwyt 'rzezbiony' dlutem
Chock
Generic reference to the family of passive wired protection devices, also called nuts,
stoppers, wires, and rocks.
(e) Nueces
Chockstone
A stone wedged between a crack, a chimney, etc.
(f) Bloc coincé, (s) Kilsten, (pl) Kamien yaklinowany w rysie
Choss
In Australia, this means poor rock (you can take all the holds home...). In the UK, choss
is dirt and vegetation found in cracks (or Munge in the US).
Chute
A very steep gully. The word chute is french for fall and refers to the
rockfall that is very common in a chute.
(pl) Zleb
Cirque
A deep and steep-walled basin on a mountain usually forming the blunt end of a valley.
From the French word for circus.
Class
A number designating the overal technical level of a route. The first number in the YDS
designates the class of the climb. Here's the
different classes...
(e) Clase
Clean
Climbing without falling or dogging.
(f) Enchaicirc;ner (une voie), (e) Escalada limpia
Clean
Aid climbing without hammering.
(e) Limpiar
Clean, to
To remove the pro from a route. Usually done by the follower.
(d) Abbauen / Ausraümen, (pl) Sciagnac asekuracje
Cliff
A vertical piece of rock good for climbing (see also Crag).
(d) Fels, (f) Falaise, (nl) Rots, (i) Falesia, (e) Risco, (s) Klippa, (pl) Skala
Cliffhanger
Not just a silly film with Wolfgang Güllich and Ron Kauk, but also the name for a small
hooking device used to aid climb up small ledges and pockets.
Climb, to
(d) Klettern, (f) Grimper, (nl) Klimmen, (i) Arrampicare/scalare, (e) Escalar, (s)
Klättra, (pl) Wspinac sie
Climb, a
(d) Kletterei, (f) Escalade, (nl) Klim, (i) Arrampicata , (e) Escalada, (s) Led/Tur
"Climbing"
What the climber shouts after the belayer screams "Belay on".
(d) "Komme", (f) "Départ", (nl) "Ik kom", (i)
"parto"/"vengo", (e) "Voy", (s) "Jag klättrar",
(pl) "Ide"
Climbing gym
The second best thing to real rock (Aka "wall" in
the UK).
(d) Kletterhalle, (f) Mur d'escalade / Salle d'escalade, (nl) Klimzaal/Klimhal, (i)
Palestra, (e) Muro artificial de escalada, (s) Inomhusvägg
Climbing shoes
Shoes made of sticky rubber that would have fit you comfortably when you were ten.
(d) Kletterschuhe, (f) Chaussons d'escalade, (nl) Klimschoenen, (i) Scarpe da roccia /
scarpette / pedule, (e) Pies de gato / tenis de escalada, (e-argentina) pedulas /
zapatillas de escalada, (s) Klätterskor, (pl) Pantofle / buty wspinaczkowe
Climbing wall
The British word for a climbing gym.
"Climb when ready"
The British equivalent of "Belay on".
(e) "Cuando estés listo", (e-argentina) "veni", (pl) "Mozesz
isc"
Clip, to
The reassuring action of putting the rope through a karabiner (that is attached to a piece
of pro).
(d) Einhängen, (f) Mousquetonner, (pl) wpiac sie
Clove hitch
A useful, easily adjustable climbing knot usually used to tie the rope into a karibiner.
(d) Mastwurf, (f) Noeud de cabestan, (i) Nodo barcaiolo, (e) Cola de cochino, (s) Dubbelt
halvslag, (pl) Wyblinka
Col
A steep, high mountain pass.
(f) Col, (pl) Siodlo
Cord
Thin static rope (5, 5.5 or 6 mm)
(d) Reepschnur, (f) Cordelette, (nl) Prusiktouw, (i) Cordino, (e) Cordino / cordeleta, (s)
Repsnöre, (pl) Repsznur
Corner
Inside corner (see dihedral) or outside corner. In the UK, a
corner is always an inside one.
(f) Dičdre, (i) Diedro, (e) Esquina, (s) Hörn, (pl) Zaciecie
Corn snow
Unconsolidated granular snow that has gone through a short freeze-and-thaw process. This
type of snow is prevalent throughout the High Sierra in April and May.
(pl) Snieg kukurydziany
Couloir
A steep gully which may have snow or ice.
(f) Couloir, (pl) Kuluar
Crab
Short for Karibiner.
Crack, in rock
A gap or fissure in the rock varying in width from nail to bodywidth.
(d) Riß, (f) Fissure, (nl) (Rots)-spleet, (i) Fessura, (e) Grieta, (s) Spricka, (pl) Rysa
Crag
Name for a (small) climbing area.
(d) Klettergarten, (f) Falaise, (i) Falesia, (s) Klippa, (pl) Skala
Crampons
Very pointy footware use to walk glaciers or climb ice.
(d) Steigeisen, (f) Crampons, (nl) Stijgijzers, (i) Ramponi, (e) Crampones, (s) Stegjärn,
(pl) Raki
Crank, to
To pull on a hold as hard as you can, and then some.
(d) Durchziehen, (pl) Wspinac sie w rysach
Crater, to
To fall and hit the ground, as in "I almost cratered".
(f) Se gaufrer/se vautrer/se planter/dévisser, se viander, (s) Kratra, (pl) glebowac
Crest
The very top of a ridge or arete.
(pl) Ostrze grzbietu
Crevasse
A crack in the surface of a glacier.
(d) (Gletscher-)spalte, (f) Crevasse, (nl) (Gletscher-)spleet, (i) Crepaccio, (e) Grieta,
(s) Glaciärspricka, (pl) szczelina
Crimper
A very small hold that accepts only the finger tips. In the UK, this is just called a
crimp.
(d) Kratzer / Pinchi, (f) Gratton, (i) Tacca, (e) Grieta de dedos
Crux
The hard bit.
(d) Crux/Schlueßelstelle, (f) Le pas/Crux/passage clé, (nl) Sleutelpassage, (i)
Passo chiave, (e) Paso clave, (s) Krux, (pl) Najtrudniejszy przechwyt, wyciag na drodze
cwm
The Welsh word for cirque.
Daisy chain
A sling sewn (or tied) with numerous loops, used as an adjustable sling in aid climbing.
Deadpoint
A dynamic move where the next hold is grabbed at the very top of the motion (if you lunge
upwards, that is just before you start falling again). By grabbing a hold in its
'deadpoint', you place the smallest possible loads on the holds.
(d) Greifen im toten Punkt, (f) Jeté, (pl) Wspinanie dynamiczne
Death wobbles
The eery sensention of jittery legs. Aka to Elvis or the sewing machine.
Deck
The usually unfriendly surface that welcomes you at the end of a grounder.
Descender
Device used for rappeling.
(d) Abseiler, (f) Descendeur, (i) Discensore, (e) Descensor, (s) Firningsbroms, (pl)
Przyjazd zjazdowy
Dihedral
The US term for an inside corner (Aka "open book").
(d)Verschneidung, (f) Dičdre, (nl) Versnijding/hoek, (i) Diedro, (e) Diedro, (s) (Inner-)
hörn / Dieder
"Dirt me"
US slang which means as much as 'Lower me'.
(d) "Ablassen" / "Nach"
Dog (to dog a move)
Climbing, lowering, climbing again till a certain move is made (the usual mode of
ascent...).
(d) Ausbouldern, (nl) Jo-jo
Double fisherman's knot
Solid knot used to tie two ropes or pieces of webbing together (Aka grapevine knot).
(d) Doppelter Spierenstich, (f) Double noeud de pęcheur, (nl) Dubbele visserssteek, (i)
Nodo a contrasto doppio/nodo doppio inglese, (e) Nudo de pescador doble, (s) Dubbel
fiskarknop
Double rope
Same as a half rope. Also the technique using two half ropes.
(d) Doppelseil, (f) Corde ā double, (i) Corda doppia, (e) Cuerda doble, (s) Dubbelrep
Downclimbing
Descending the difficult way.
(d) Abklettern, (f) Désescalader, (nl) Afklimmen, (i) disarrampicare / Arrampicare in
discesa, (e) Destrepar / Desescalar, (s) Nedetklättring
Dry tool, to
To ascend a section of rock using ice tools - very common in mixed climbing.
Dude
Generic name for a climber (in the US).
Dynamic belay
A belay method in which some rope is allowed to slip during severe falls. A dynamic belay
can severely reduce the impact force from a serious fall, but can also severely kill you
if not done properly.
(d) Dynamische Sicherung, (f) Assurage dynamique, (i) Sicura dinamica / assicurazione
dinamica, (e) Seguro dinámico, (s) Dynamisk säkring
Dyno
Dynamic movement towards a distant hold.
(d) Dynamo, (f) Jeté, (nl) Dynamo, (i) Lancio, (e) Movimiento dinámico, (s) Dynamisk
move
EB
A legendary brand of sport climbing shoes - started the free climbing revolution.
Edge
A sharp edge on a rock face.
(d) Kante, (f) Graton, (i) Spigolo / lama, (e) Orilla, (s) Kant, (pl) Kant
Edging
Foot technique where one uses the edge of the climbing shoe to stand on small footholds.
The opposite of smearing.
(d) Kanten, (f) Gratonner, (e) cantear
Elvis, to
To have a sewing maching leg. Named after "Elvis, the
King", who suffered from this this problem when singing before a crowd of screaming
women.
(d) Nähmaschine, (e) motoneta, (pl) telegrafowac
Epic
The story of a well planned climb that turned into a grueling adventure that turned out
well in the end. As these stories are told over and over again - and they always are - the
details get stretched to supernatural proportions for dramatic effect.
(d) Eine Geschichte, (f) Epopée (e) Historia épica
Etrier
(Pronounce with a french accent). Webbing ladder used for aid climbing. Also known as
'aider'.
(d) Leiter, (f) Étrier, (nl) Ladder, (i) Staffa, (e) Estribo, (s) Stegar
Face climbing
Not crack climbing.
(d) Wandklettern / Plattenklettern, (nl) Wandklimmen, (f) Grimper en dalle, (i)
Arrampicata su parete/Arrampicata in placca, (e) Escalada exterior, (s) Väggklättring,
(pl) wspinaczka po plycie
Fall, to
A dynamic retreat from a climb (free-solo rappel). Note that it is never the fall that
kills, it's the landing.
(d) Stuerzen, (f) Prendre un plomb / Voler / Tomber, (nl) Vallen, (i) Cadere / Volare, (e)
Caer / volar, (s) Ramla, Falla, (pl) odpasc
"Falling"
Yelled when a climber is (about to) fall.
(d) "Ich stürze", (f) "Bloque" (eqv. to 'tension'),
(nl) "Ik val", (i) "Volo", (e) "Caigo"
Fall factor
The length of the fall divided by the amount of rope paid out.
(d) Sturzfaktor, (f) Facteur de chute, (i) Fattore di caduta, (e) Factor de caída, (s)
Fallfaktor
FecoFile
A PVC tube used to store solid human waste on big walls. Aka the Shit Tube.
Feet
Footholds.
Fifi hook
An open hook used to allow easy clipping during aid climbing. Usually found on aiders,
daisy chains, etc.
(d) Fifihaken, (f) Fifi, (i) Gancio fiffi, (e) Fifí, (s) Fiffikrok
Figure 8
Metal rappelling/belaying device shaped like an 8.
(d) Achter/Abseilachter, (f) Descendeur en huit (Huit), (nl) Acht, (i) L'otto (il
discensore), (e) Ocho, (s) Åtta, (pl) Osemka
Figure of eight
Very popular and solid tie-in knot.
(d) Achtknoten, (f) Noeud en huit (Huit), (nl) Acht/achtknoop, (i) Nodo a otto / Savoia
inseguito, (e) Nudo de ocho, (s) Åttaknut, (pl) Osemka
Fingerlock
Masochistic technique to twist and wedge the fingers into a crack.
(d) Fingerklemmtechnik in Rissen, (f) Verrou (de doigt), (nl) Vingerverklemming, (i)
Incastro di dita, (e) Encuņadura de dedos, (s) Fingerjam
Firn
Old, well consolidated snow. Often a left-over from the previous season. Closer to ice
than snow in density, it may require the use of crampons.
Fisherman's knot
Simple knot to tie two ropes together. The double fisherman knot, however, is more
popular.
(d) Spierenstich, (f) Noeud de pęcheur, (nl) Visserssteek, (i) Nodo a contrasto semplice,
(e) Pescador, (s) Fiskarknop
Fixed pro
Bolts, rings, pitons, stuck nuts and cams and other piece of unremovable pro that may be
found on a climb. Use at your own risk.
Flared
A crack or chimney with sides that are not parallel, but instead form two converging
planes of rock.
Flash, to
To lead a climb with no falls or dogging and with no previous attempts on the climb. Two
variations exist: the onsight flash (where the climber has never seen the climb before)
and the beta flash (where the climber has studied the climb before or has seen someone do
the climb). See there.
(f) Enchaîner en tęte
Following
Not leading a climb.
(d) Nachsteigen, (f) Grimper en second / Grimper en moulinette, (nl) Naklimmen, (i)
Seguire (andare da secondo), (e) Segundear / escalar de segundo, (s) Följa, (pl) Chodzic
na drugiego
Free climbing
Moving up a rock using only hands, feet, and natural holds. Ropes and pro are only used
for protection of the climber and not for progression.
(d) Frei klettern, (f) Escalade libre, (nl) Vrijklimmen, (i) Scalata/arrampicata libera,
(e) Escalada libre, (s) Friklättring
Free solo
Free climbing while using no ropes for protection. You fall - you die.
(d)Free solo klettern, (f) Solo intégral, (nl) Solo, (i) Arrampicata in solitaria, (e)
Escalada solitaria / Superlibre, (s) Frisolo
Friend
Trade name for the original camming devices, now also available as Camalots, TCU's, Quads,
Aliens, Big Dudes, etc.
Gas
The stuff your car and muscles run on. If you run out of gas....
Gate
The part of the karibiner that opens.
(d) Schnapper, (f) Doigt, (nl) Snapper, (i) Leva, (e) Pestillo, (e-argentina) leva, (s)
Grind, (pl) Zamek karabinka
Gerry rail
A hold large enough for the most senior climbers.
Glacier
A slowly moving permanent mass of ice.
(d) Gletscher, (f) Glacier, (nl) Gletscher, (i) Ghiacciaio, (e) Glaciar, (s) Glaciär,
(pl) Lodowiec
God-save-me
The type of hold one lunges for hoping it will be the perfect bucket.
"Got me?"
A wake up call for the belayer, used to warn her that you are about to put some weight on
the rope.
Grade
A number denoting the seriousness of a route (not to be confused with the rating of climb,
which describes the technical difficulty). In Britain, however, the word grade means both
grade and rating. Look here for the different grades...
(d) Ernsthaftigkeitsgrat, (f) Engagement, (e) Grado, (pl) Wycena
Grapevine knot
Fisherman's knot.
Gravical
The adrenaline high felt with a lot of air between you and groundlevel. 'This is gravical,
dude'.
Grease, to
Not being able to hold on to a particularly slick hold, due to the presence of sweat,
lactic acid or sand. Not uncommon in overused crags
Grodle
Climbing English for awesome or cool.
Grounder
A fall where the kinetic energy is not absorbed by the rope and pro, but rather by mother
earth itself. Can hurt badly.
(d) Bodensturz, (f) Chute au sol
Grigri
Nifty but somewhat controversial belaying device made by Petzl.
Gripped
Paralyzed with fear and utterly confused.
Gully
A wide, shallow ravine on a mountainside.
Gumbie
Also spelled Gumby. An inexperienced or new rock climber.
HACE
High Altitude Cerebral Edema. Liquid in the brain as a result of high altitude exposure.
Few people live to tell what it is like.
(f) Oedčme du cerveau
Half rope
A rope of 9 or 8.5 mm that has to be used together with a second rope when leading a
climb.
(d) Halbseil, (f) Corde de rappel, (nl) Half touw, (i) Mezza corda, (e) Media cuerda, (s)
Halvrep, (pl) Lina polowka
Handjam
Slightly masochistic technique where the hand is wedged into a crack.
(d) Handklemmer, (f) Verrou (de main), (nl) Handklem, (i) Incastro di mani, (e)
Encuņadura de mano / -de palmas, (e-argentina) Empotrar la mano
Handle
Big banana-shaped hold often found in indoor gyms. Great for waving hello to admiring
bystanders. It may sound bizarre, but I've never seen one of those outdoors...
(d) Henkel, (f) Poignée / baquet / poignée de métro (Parisians only) (nl) Handvat, (pl)
Klama
Hangdog, to
See Dog.
HAPE
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema. Liquid in the lungs as a result of high altitude exposure.
Pretty serious condition that can quickly lead to HACE if a descent to lower altitudes is
not made immediately. See also HACE.
(f) Oedčme du poumon
Harness
Piece of clothing that identifies you as a climber. The coolness factor can be
significantly enhanced by hanging things from the harness that go cling.
(d) Klettergurt, (f) Baudrier/Baudard, (f-c) Baudrier/Cuissard, (nl) Klimgordel, (i)
Imbragatura, (e) Arnés, (s) Klättersele, (pl) Uprzaz
Haul bag
Large and robust bag used to haul food, water, climbing gear, sleeping bag, television,
satelite dish, and other essential equipment that is required, up a big wall. Also know as
"the pig".
(d) Materialsack / Nachziehsack, (f) Sac, (i) Sacco da recupero, (e) Petate / Costal de
escalada, (s) Hissack
Headwall
Where the face of a mountain steepens dramatically.
"Help"
The vocal alternative to 6 signals a minute. In far away countries, try S.O.S. -- it doesn't mean anything but is understood by most.
(d) "Hilfe", (f) "Au secours", (nl) "Help", (i)
"Aiuto", (e) socorro/ayuda, (s) "Hjälp"
Helmet
Solid plastic device that can sometimes protect the head from falling stones or impact
(Aka a brainbucket).
(d) Helm, (f) Casque, (nl) Helm, (i) Casco, (e) Casco, (s) Hjälm, (pl) Kask
Herbish
The opposite of grodle. Not all that awesome.
Hex
Short for Hexentrix. A type of nut with an excentric hexadiagonal shape. Works for wedging
(as a nut) but also for camming.
Hueco
A beautifully shaped pocket with a positive lip named after these increabible features
found at the Hueco Tanks bouldering area in Texas.
HMS
Karibiner with one wide side used for belaying with a munter hitch (aka pearabiner). From
the German term for munter hitch belay: 'Halbmastwurfsicherung'.
(d) HMS, (i) Moschettone a pera, (s) HMS-knut, (pl) HMS (karabinek gruszkowaty)
Hold
Anything that can be held on to.
(d) Griff, (f) Prise, (nl) Greep, (i) Appiglio / Presa, (e) Presa / agarre, (e-argentina)
Toma, (s) Grepp, (pl) Chwyt
Horn
Spike of rock that can be for a great hold or not so great protection. The same as a
chickenhead.
Hurtin unit
That member of the climbing team that is suffering from severe exposure to alcoholic
beverages the night before.
Ice axe
Device used for ice climbing, glacier crossing, or scaring away burglars.
(d) Eispickel / Eisbeil, (f) Piolet, (nl) IJsbijl, (i) Piccozza, (e) Piolet, (s) Isyxa,
(pl) Czekan
Ice screw
A protection device for ice climbing. Looks like a large bolt that can be screwed in hard
ice.
(d) Eisschraube, (f) Broche ā glace, (i) Vite da ghiaccio, (e) Tornillo para hielo, (s)
Isskruv
Italian hitch
Munter hitch knot or HMS knot
(pl) Polwyblinka
Jam, to
Wedging body parts in a crack.
(d) Klemmen, (f) Faire un verrou / Faire un coincement / Coincer, (i) Incastrarsi, (e)
Encuņar, (e-argentina) Empotrar, (s) Jamma, (pl) Klinowac
Jug
Very large hold (short for jug handle) (Aka "bucket" in the US).
(d) Henkel / Kelle, (f) Poignée, (nl) bak, (i) Vasca / Fibbia, (e-argentina) Manija, (s)
Brevlåda, (pl) Klama
Jugs
Big wall lingo for Jumars or any other type of ascenders.
Jug, to
To jumar up a line (big wall lingo).
Jumar
A type of rope ascending device.
Jumar, to
To ascend a rope using ascenders.
(d) Jumaren, (f) Monter au jumar, (e) Jumarear, (s) Jumarera
Karabiner
Metal connecting device, sometimes spelled with a 'c' in the US. This most essential
climbing device is also known as a "biner" in the US and as "crab" or
"krab" (mostly) in the UK.
(d) Karabiner, (f) Mousqueton, (nl) Karabiner/mousqueton, (i) Moschettone, (e) Mosquetķn
/ Mosquete, (s) Karbin / Karbinhake, (pl) Karabinek
Kernmantle rope
Modern climbing rope consisting of bundles of continuous nylon filaments (Kern) surrounded
by a braided protective sheath (Mantle).
(d) Kernmantelseil
kN
Kilonewton. An abbreviation usually found on karabiners and other climbing gear. For those of you who are not engineers, one kilonewton is about 100 kg or about 220 lbs. (And for those of you who are, don't bother lecturing me).
Knotted cord
Piece of cord with a knot tied into the end that is used for protection (pretty much like
a nut). The traditional method of protecting climbs, and still used in the
Elbsandsteingebirge in Eastern Germany.
(d) Knotenschlinge, (f) Corde nouée, (i) Cordino annodato
Krab
Short for Karbiner.
Largo start
A climb or bouldering problem where the first move starts with a jump for high holds.
Named after John Long (or 'Largo').
Layback/Lieback
Somewhat clumsy looking climbing technique where hands and feet work in opposition.
(d) Piazen/hangeln, (f) Dülfer / opposition, (i) Dulfer (Opposizione), (e) Dülfer, (s)
Layback
Leader
Person who leads a climb.
(d) Vorsteiger, (f) Premier (de cordée), (nl) Voorklimmer, (i) Primo, (e) Primero /
puntero, (s) Försteman, (pl) Prowadzacy
Lead, to
To ascend a climb from the bottom up, placing protection (or clipping protection) as you
go.
(d) Vorsteigen, (f) Grimper en tęte, (nl) Voorklimmen, (i) Andare da capocardata, andare
da primo, (e) Puntear / guiar, (s) Leda, (pl) Prowadzic
Ledge
Flat bit on a rock (can be miniature or gigantic).
(d) Leiste (small) / Absatz (large), (f) Réglette/vire ("vire" is somewhere
between a microledge and a party ledge), (nl) Rand(je), (i) Cengia, (e) Repisa, (s) Hylla,
(pl) Polka
Limestone
Type of rock found in abundance in southern France (usually white and full of pockets and
holds).
(d) Kalkstein, (f) Calcaire, (nl) Kalksteen, (i) Calcare, (e) Roca calcárea, (s)
Kalksten, (pl) Wapein
Locking biner
Karabiner that can be locked (in the UK, a screwgate or twistlock).
(d) Verschlusskarabiner / Schrauber, (f) Mousqueton ā vis, (nl) Schroefkarabiner, (i)
Moschettone a ghiera, (e) Mosquetķn de seguro, (s) Låskarbin / Skruvkarbin
Lock-off
To hold on to the rock with one bent arm while using the other arm to reach up for the
next hold or to place or clip protection. Lockoffs on small holds will get you pumped in a
hurry.
(d) Blockieren / Fixieren, (f) Bloquer, (nl) Blokkeren, (i) Bloccaggio, (e) Bloquear, (s)
Lesa / Binda av
Lowering
To descend something or somebody.
(d) Ablassen, (f) Descendre en moullinette / mouliner, (nl) Zakken/naar beneden laten, (i)
Calare, (e) Bajar / descender a alguien, (s) Fira ner
Manky
Term used to describe a fixed bolt that looks like it was placed before the last ice age.
Use these bolts at your own discretion
(d) Rosthaken, (f) Clou pourri/clou rouillé
Mantle
Difficult balancing move useful to get up on ledges.
(d) (Durch)-stützbewegung, (f) Rétablissement, (i) Ristabilimento, (s) Mantla
Mixed climbing
Climbing with a combination of different methods of ascent. e.g mixed free and aid
climbing, mixed rock and ice climbing, etc.
(f) Escalade mixte
Moat
The gap between snow and ice on a rock wall. Has posed problems ever since the middle
ages.
Mountain rescue
The people who put their life on the line when you screw up badly.
(d) Bergrettung, (f) Secours en montagne, (i) Soccorso alpino, (e) Rescate de montaņa,
(s) Bergräddning
Munge
The dirt and vegetation that can sometimes be found in cracks. In the UK: Choss.
Multi pitch climb
Climb that consists of more than a single pitch.
(d) Mehrseillaengentour,(f) Voie de plusieurs longueurs, (nl) Klim van meerdere
touwlengtes, (i) Via da piu' tiri, (e) Ruta de varios largos, (s) Tur med flera
replängder(?), (pl) Droga kilku wyciagowa
Munter hitch
Knot used for belaying (Aka italian hitch or friction hitch). The Germans love this knot
(see HMS).
(d) Halbmastwurf, (f) Demi-cabestan, (nl) Halve mastworp, (i) Mezzo barcaiolo,
(e-argentina) Nudo dinamico, (s) Munterknut
Nailing
An ancient term used to describe direct-aid climbing with pitons.
Needle
Rock with a characteristic pointed shape. Also known as pinnacle, aiguille, gendarme, etc.
(d) Nadel / Spitze, (f) Aiguille / Gendarme, (i) Guglia / Pinnacolo, (e) Aguja, (s)
Pinnakel, (pl) Igla
Névé
Consolidated granular snow formed by repeated freeze-and-thaw cycles. Also used to
indicate permanent snowfields.
(f) Névé
Notch
A small col.
(f) Brčche
Nut
Metal wedge used for protection in cracks.
(d) Klemmkeil, (f) Coinceur, (nl) Nut , (i) Dado, (e) Nuez, (s) Kil, (pl) Kosc
Nut key
The piece of metal that americans call a nut tool.
Nut tool
Piece of metal that can be used to remove stuck nuts or cams. In the UK: nut
key.
(d) Keilenentferner, (f) Décoinceur/sardine, (i) Cavadadi, (e) Sacanueces, (s) Kilpetare
"Off Belay"
Yelled when the climber no longer requires a belay (e.g. because she/he has reached a
stance). Once the belayer hears "off belay", he/she removes the rope from the
belay device and yells "belay off". In UK, Australia and New Zealand:
"Safe".
(d) "Stand" ("Aussicher"), (f) "Relais, vaché!", (nl)
"Stand", (i) "Posto" / "Molla", (e) "Libre",
(e-argentina) "autoasegurado", (s) "Lägg av", (pl) "Mam
auto"
Off width
A climb too wide to jam, too small to chimney. And then I've heard of people who actually
like this kind of climbing.
(d) Schulterriß, (f) Offwidth, (e) Off width, (pl) Rysa szersza niz piesc
"On Belay ???"
Query to verify if the belayer is ready to secure the climber (US only).
(d) "Kann ich kommen?", (f) "Tu me prends ???", (i) "Sei pronto
???", (e) "?Subo?" / "?estás listo?", (s) "Sakring klar
???"
On-sight flash
Leading a climb with no falls and no dogging and without any prior attempts, watching
someone do it or beta on how to do the moves.
(f) Enchaîner en tęte ā vue, (i) A vista, (e) A vista
Open book
Same as a dihedral or inside corner. Two panes of rock join in an acute or obtuse corner
that faces left or right.
Outside corner
Also known as pillar or arete.
(d) Kante, (f) Pilier, (nl) Pijler, (i) Pilastro
Over-cam, to
Compressing a cam to its absolute minimum size during placement, effectively eliminating
the possibility of extraction.
Overhand knot
A simple (but solid) knot in a double rope.
(d) Sackstich, (i) Nodo delle guide, (e) Nudo simple, (s) överhandsknut, (pl) Kluczka
Overhand loop
The simplest type of knot possible.
(d) Kreuzschlag, (f) Queue de vache, (e) Gasa, (pl) Klucka z uchem
Overhang
Rock (or ice) that is "more than vertical".
(d) Ueberhang, (f) Surplomb(=strong overhang) or dévers (=slight overhang), (nl)
overhang, (i) Strapiombo, (e) Desplome / Extraplomo, (s) Överhäng, (pl) Przewieszenie
Over-kilned
A boiler plate or flaky rock
Pass
The lowest passage between two mountains. The french - but not just the french - know this
as a col. The mathematicians would call this the saddle point.
(d) Pass, (f) Col, (i) Sella / Colle / Passo / Valico, (e) Collado / puerto, (s) Pass,
(pl) Przelecz
Party ledge
A somewhat larger ledge used to rest (and party !) during a particularly hard or long
climb. Sometimes used to refer to the belay station on a multipitch climb.
(f) Terrasse ("vire" is a somewhat narrower ledge), (i) Terrazza, (nl) Plateau,
(e) Repisa
Pendulum
A swing on the rope, either intentional to gain a distant anchor on big wall climbs or
unintentional when falling during a traverse with not enough pro in place.
(d) Pendeln / Pendelquergang, (f) Pendule, (i) (Traversata a) pendolo, (e) Péndulo, (s)
Pendeltravers / Pendla, (pl) Wahadlo
Pig
The haul bag.
(d) Sau
Pillar
Outside corner
(d) Pfeiler, (f) Pilier, (nl) Pijler, (i) Pilastro, (e) Pilar, (s) Pelare, (pl) Igla
Pimp, to
To do a short semi-dynamic stab. It's not quite a dynamic move, but it's also not quite
static. It's the happy median.
Pink point
To red-point a climb where the pro and runners have been pre-placed.
(d) Rotpunkt mit eingehängte Schlingen (Rotkreuz ???)
Pitch
A section of climb between two belays and no longer than the length of one rope (this used
to mean 45m, nowadays pitches can also be 50 or even 60m long -- check your topo).
(d) Seillaenge, (f) Longueur, (nl) Touwlengte, (i) Tiro, (e) Largo (de cuerda), (s)
Replängd, (pl) Wyciag
Piton
Metal spike hammered into a crack (has come in disuse for all but some special
applications) (Aka "peg" in the UK).
(d) Haken, (f) Piton, (nl) (Mep)haak, (i) Chiodo, (e) Pitķn / clavo
Pocket
A hold formed by a (small) depression in the rock.
(d) Loch/Fingerloch, (f) Trou ā doigt, (nl) Gat/vingergat, (i) Buca da dito, (s) Ficka,
(pl) Dziurka
Portaledge
A hanging tent with built in bed used on big walls (and big trees).
Pro, Protection
Anchors placed during the climb to protect the leader. Beware: even properly placed pro
does not prevent pregnancy or the transmission of STDs.
(d) Sicherungsmittel, (f) Protection, (nl) Zekering, (i) Protezione, (e) Protecciķn /
anclaje, (s) Säkring, (pl) Asekuracja
Prusik
The sliding knot or the method to ascend a rope (named after its inventer Dr. Karl
Prusik).
(d) Prusik, (f) Prusik, (nl) Prusik, (i) Prusik, (e) Prusik, (s) Prusik
Pumped
The feeling of overworked muscles. Most climbers are familiar with the forearm pump: too
much finger work causes the forearms to swell and the strength to disappear. With a
serious forearm pump, even holding a glass of beer can become a serious challenge.
(d) Dicke arme (or any other body part), (f) Avoir les bouteilles/Daubé, (nl) Verzuurd,
(i) Acciaiato, (s) Pumpad
Pumpy
Describes a climb that will leave you pumped.
Quickdraw, quick
Short sling with karabiners on either side.
(d) Expreßschlinge, (f) Dégaine, (nl) setje, (i) Rinvio / Preparato / sveltina, (e)
cintas express, (s) Expresslinga / Kortslinga, (pl) Expres
Rack
The climbing gear carried during an ascent.
(d) Materialsortiment, (f) Matériel / matos, (i) Equipaggiomento / Assortimento di
materiale, (e) Bandolera / bandola, (s) Racka / Utrustning, (pl) Spej
Rack, to
To sort the rack before engaging on the next climb or pitch.
Rad
Not trad. Slang for sport climbing.
Rally, to
To climb exceptionally well, especially on normally difficult climbs.
(f) Randonner
Ramp
An ascending ledge
Rappel, to
Also: to rap. Descending by sliding down a rope. Known in Britain (and Germany) as
abseiling.
(d) Abseilen, (f) Descendre en rappel, (nl) Afdalen/abseilen (i) Calare (in corda doppia),
(e) Rapelear, (s) Fira, (pl) Zjezdzac
Rating
A number denoting the technical difficulty of the climb. See here for more on ratings and grades.
(d) Schwierigkeitsgrat, (f) Cotation
R.D.S.
Rapid Deceleration Syndrome. Military term for the very sudden illness that happens at the
end of a long fall.
Redpoint
To lead a climb without falling or dogging after a number of attempts. This is different
from onsight, where the climb is lead without falling or dogging on its first attempt.
(d) Rotpunkt, (f) Enchaîner, (i) Arrampicare in libera, (pl) RP
Resin
An alternative to chalk. Resin (or "pine tree resin" to use its full name) is
made from the yucky stuff that sticks to your hands when you touch a pine tree. Because
resin is mostly colorless, it is preferred to chalk in some areas. But caution: Don't let
the color fool you. Resin can do permanent damage to the rock and in fact is not allowed
anywhere in the US for that reason.
(d) Pof, (f) Pof, (i) Resina, (e) Resina, (s) Harts
Resident protection
Fixed pro.
Rib
A slender buttress. Something between a buttress and an outside corner.
Ridge
The high divide extending out from a peak.
(f) Cręte (small) or chaîne (large)
Ring
A large (2 inch diameter) ring that is cemented in the rock as a bolt. Rings are very
common in Germany and France and are excellent for rappelling and hanging belays.
(d) Ring, (f) Scellement, (nl) Ring, (i) Anello da calata, (s) Ringbult, (pl) Ring
"Rock"
Scream let out to warn people down below that a piece of rock has been overcome by
gravity. The loudness, number of repitions, and/or panic in voice with which this word is
uttered is often an indication of the seriousness of the rock. In the UK, you're more
likely to hear "Below", beware!
(d) "Stein", (f) "Pierre" / "Caillou", (i)
"Sasso", (e) "Piedra", (s) "Sten", (pl) "Kamien"
Roof
Seriously overhanging part in a climb (more or less horizontal).
(d) Dach, (f) Toit/Plafond, (nl) Dak, (i) Tetto, (e) Techo, (s) tak, (pl) Dach
Rope
Long and round nylon fabrication. Climbing ropes are generally between 10 and 11 mm in
diameter (with the exception of "half ropes" which are between 8.5 and 9mm in
diameter).
(d) Seil, (f) Corde, (nl) Touw, (i) Corda, (e) Cuerda, (s) Rep, (pl) Lina
"Rope"
Should be yelled when a rope is about to be thrown to the base of the crag (though most of
the time it seems like "rope" is shouted about 1-2 seconds after the
rope is thrown). In the UK, shout "Rope below".
(d) "Seil", (f) "Corde", (nl) "Touw", (i) "Corda",
(e) "Cuerda", (e-argentina) "va cuerda", (s) "Rep", (pl)
"Uwaga lina"
Route
A certain path up a rock or mountain.
(d) Tour, (f) Voie, (nl) Route, (i) Via, (e) Ruta, (s) Led, (pl) Droga
Runner
A loop of tape or webbing either sewn or tied (Aka sling, especially in the UK). In the
UK, a 'runner' is a running belay.
(d) Schlinge, (f) Sangle, (i) Anello, (e) Anilla, (s) Slinga, (pl) Talma ?, (pl) Petla
Runner
A runner threaded or looped around chockstones, flakes, horns or chickenheads for
protection.
(d) Zackenschlinge
Runout
Distance between two elements of pro. A route is "runout" when the distance
between those two elements of pro becomes uncomfortably long.
(d) Abstand zwischen 2 Sicherungspunkten, (f) (Une voie est) Engagée, (i) Via protetta
lunga, (e) Ruta poco protegida, (pl) Odleglosc miedzy punktami asekuracji
Saddle
A high pass that looks somewhat like the horsewear. Not quite as steep as a col.
"Safe"
The British equivalent of "Off Belay".
(d) "Stand", (f) "Relais" / "Vâché", (nl)
"Stand", (i) "Posto" / "Molla", (e) "Libre", (s)
"Lägg av", (pl) "Mam auto"
Schwag
Terrible rock conditions.
Scrambling
Easy climbing, usually unroped.
(d) Kraxeln, (f) Escalade facile, (e) Trepar, (s) Lätt Klättring
Screamer
A very, very long fall.
(f) Méga-plomb, (i) Mina / Randa, (pl) Dlugi lot
Screamer
Special piece of equipment meant to reduce the impact of a screamer (the fall) on the
belay system.
(i) Dissipatore
Scree
Loose rocks and stones that cover the slope below a cliff. With every step, scree slides
under your feet.
(f) Éboulis / caillasse
Screwgate
The type of karibiner that can be locked with a screw. See also twistlock. In the US this
is usually called a 'locking biner'.
Second
The climber who follows the leader. See also following.
(d) Nachsteiger, (f) Second, (i) Secondo, (e) Segundo, (pl) Drugi na linie
Send, to
To climb a route with ease. "I'm gonna send this route, dude!"
Serac
A block or tower of ice on a steep glacier or in an ice fall. Since seracs are created by
the force of gravity working on the glacier or ice fall, they can come down at any moment.
Sewing-machine leg or arm
A leg (or arm) under tension that suddenly starts jerking up and down like a sewing
machine. Stretch the muscle, take a deep breath, and don't think of falling... (see also:
to Elvis or the death wobbles).
(d) Nähmaschine, (s) Symaskin, (pl) Telegraf
Sewn-up
When so much gear is on a trad route that it looks like it has been sewn shut.
Sharp end
The end of the rope to which the leader is attached.
SH** !
Often heard during a fall... (Well educated climbers in the UK sometimes say
"sugar" - but only if they're not in too much trouble).
(d) Scheisse !, (f) Merde!, (f-c) "Chite!", (nl) Shit!, (i) "Merda!",
(e) Mierda!, (s) Djävlar!, (pl) Cholera / Kurcze / Kurde
Short roping
Technique where both climbers are tied close together into the middle of the rope. The
rest of the rope is then carried over the shoulders in a coil. Frequently used for
simul-climbing. The term (and technique?) is used frequently in the Canadian Rockies.
(f) Faire des anneaux de corde, les anneaux á la main.
Short roping
Belaying technique where the belayer keeps the leader under tension in an attempt reduce
the length of a fall. Tony Bubb will gladly give you an exposé on the dangers of this
technique - or refer you to this site.
Side pull
A hand hold that needs to be held with a horizontal (sideways) pull.
(d) Piaz-Griff / Seitgriff, (f) Prise verticale, (i) Maniglia rovescia, (s) Sidotag /
Sidogrepp, (pl) Odciag
Sit start
To start a bouldering problem from a sitting position. See also 'Yabo
Start'.
Sierra wave
A lenticular cloud found mostly in the Sierras, but known to be forebode of bad weather in
the Mont Blanc area.
(f) Âne
Sketch pad
A cushion used for bouldering.
Skyhook
A particular type of hook used for aid climbing
(f) Crochet ā goutte d'eau
Slab
Flat and seemingly featureless, not quite vertical piece of rock.
(d) Platte, (f) Dalle, (nl) Plaat, (i) Lastra / Lastrone / Placca, (e) Laja, (s) Sva /
Platta, (pl) pologa plyta
"Slack"
Yelled when the climber needs more rope (e.g. to clip into protection).
(d) "Seil", (f) "Du mou", (nl) "Touw", (i) "Corda"
("Lasco"), (e) "Cuerda", (s) "Slacka", (pl) "Luz"
Sling
What the Americans call a runner.
Slingshot
A toprope setup where the belayer belays on the ground (where the climber starts climbing)
and the rope is pre-clipped through the anchor at the top of the climb. In the UK,
top-roping or bottom-roping (depends where the belayer stands).
Sloper
Pathetic downward slanting hold. (Usually look like buckets from below.)
(d) (Abschüssiger) Aufleger, (f) Prise fuyante, (i) Appiglio spiovente
Smearing
Foot technique where a big part of the climbing shoe is used to generate as much friction
as possible. The opposite of edging.
(d) Auf reibung stehen, (f) Grimper en adhérence, (i) Aderenza, (e) Fricciķn, (s)
Smeara, (pl) Wspinanie na tarcie
Snaplink
A truly British word for a karibiner.
Soloing
Climbing alone, though not necessarily without the protection of a rope (unless you're in
the UK, where a solo is always a free solo).
(d) Solo klettern, (f) Soloer, (e) Escalar en solitario
Sport climbing
Climbing routes of (extreme ?) gymnastic difficulty while protection oneself by clipping
copiously numbered and generously spaced preplaced free protection.
(d)Sportklettern, (f) Escalade sportive, (nl) Sportklimmen, (i) Arrempicata sportiva, (e)
Escalada deportiva (s) Sportklättring, (pl) Wspinaczka sportowa
Spray, to
To brag or gloat.
Stem, to
Bridging with the feet between two holds (US only).
(d) Stemmen, (f) Se mettre en opposition, (i) Opposizione, (e) Oposiciķn, (s) Stämma /
Sprajsa
"Stick it"
American slang meaning "hold on" or "go for it".
(f) "Allez !", (e) "Asegura"
Sticht plate
A belay device consisting of a plate with two slots in it. An original creation by Franz
Sticht.
(d) Sticht Bremse, (f) Plaquette d'assurage, (f-c) Plaque-frein, (i) Piastrina sticht, (e)
Placa Sticht, (s) Stichtbroms
Summit
The top of a mountain or rock.
(d) Gipfel, (f) Sommet, (nl) Top, (i) Cima, (e) Cima / cumbre, (s) Topp, (pl) Szczyt
Summit, to
To reach the summit.
(d) Gipfeln, (e) Encumbrar, (pl) Wejsc na wierzcholek
"Take"
American monosyllable for "Up Rope". Also used by
top-ropers and sports-climbers to indicate that they have reached the top and want to be
lowered.
(d) "Seil ein" / "Zu", (f) "Avale", (e)
"Recupera", (pl) "Wybierz"
"Take in"
The British equivalent of "Up Rope".
(d) "Seil ein"/("Zieh an"), (f) "Avale", (i) Recupera, (s)
"Tag hem", (pl) "Wybierz"
"Taking in"
Heard often in British crags, meaning the climber is "off belay" and about to
pull up the slack between him and the belayer.
(f) "J'avale"
Talus
Large blocks of rock. A coarse variation of scree.
Tape knot
Or threaded overhand knot in the US.
Tarn
A small lake.
10essentials
That part of your climbing gear you don't want to leave at home.
"Tension!"
Yelled out to the belayer to make sure he really takes in the slack. Usually
"tension" is used by a climber that is ready to pop off. The progression of
severity usually goes "up rope", "tight rope",
"tension!".
(f) "Bloque"
"That's me"
Part of the climbing dialogue. Courtousy call to the belayer to indicate that the slack in
the rope is all taken up and that further pulling is pointless.
(d) "Seil aus", (f) "Bout de corde", (pl) "Koniec luzo na
linie"
Threaded overhand
Solid but not failproof knot also known as water knot or tape knot (UK), or ring bend when
used on webbing.
(d) Sackstich in Ringform, (e) Nudo encontrado
Thrutchy
Requiring a whole lot of strength (and enthusiasm in a way). Used in Australia - where all
the climbing is upside down.
Tick marks
Little smears of chalk used to locate holds when bouldering.
"Tight rope"
Or just "Tight". Urgent request to the belayer to take the slack out of the
system. Somewhat stronger than "up rope".
(f) "Sec", (f-c) "a sec", (e) "Tensa"
Toe
The bottom of a buttress.
Topo
A short drawing of the route. Good topos will allow you to spot the line right away, show
the placement of bolts and belay stances, indicate where the crux is and what rating it
has.
(f) Topo, (i) Topo, (e) Topo
Top-rope
Free climbing a route that has the safety rope attached to the top of the climb (usually
one walks to the top to set up the top-rope belay).
(d) Toprope / Seil von oben, (f) Moulinette, (nl) Toprope, (i) Corda dall'alto, (e) Yoyo,
(s) Topprep, (pl) Wedka
Trad
Traditional climbing, characterized by the placing of protection (cams, nuts, etc.) in
cracks and pockets. Trad also includes multi-pitch routes often with long runouts..
(d) Traditionelles, Alpines Klettern, (f) Classique, (nl) Alpijns klimmen, (i)
Tradizionale, (e) Escalada tradicional /clásica
Trad fall
A fall during a trad climb, sometimes accompanied by the popping sound of protection
succumbing to the temptations of gravity. See also 'crater' and 'screamer'.
(f) Devissage
Traverse
Horizontal climb.
(d) Quergang, (f) Traversée, (nl) Traverse, (i) Traverso, (e) Travesiacute;a, (s)
Travers, (pl) Trawers
Trucker
Synomym for 'Bomber'. A trustworthy piece of pro.
Tunnel
A tunnel through or hourglass shape in the rock that allows a runner or cord to be fed
through for protection.
(d) Sanduhr, (f) Lunule, (i) Clessidra, (nl) Zandloper, (e) Túnel
Twistlock
A locking karabiner where the gate is locked with a spring-loaded clip.
Undercling
A hold that would be a perfect bucket if gravity were upside down. As it is, underclings
are usually awkward holds that require lieback type moves.
(d) Untergriff, (f) Inversée, (nl) Ondergreep, (i) Presa rovescia, (e) Undercling,
(e-argentina) Toma invertida, (pl) podchwyt
"Up Rope"
Yelled by the leader or the follower when she/he wants a tighter belay. (In UK: "Take
in" or "Tight" or even "Watch me").
(d) "Seil ein", (f) "Sec" / "Avale", (nl) "Blok",
(i) "Recupera", (e) "Tensa", (s) "Ta hem", (pl)
"Wybierz"
Verglas
Thin water ice on rock.
(f) Verglas, (pl) Oblodzenie
Vôgen
Great, super. "Everything's vôgen."
"Watch me"
Call to indicate the climber is about to do something stupid -- like fall.
(d) "Pass auf", (f) "Fais gaffe", (nl) "Let op",
(i)"Occhio" / "Guardami bene" / "Tiemmi tirato", (e)
"Cuídame", (s) "Beredd?", (pl)
Water ice
Ice formed directly from frozen water. Water ice is clear and brittle and contains few air
bubbles. Sometimes water is even flowing around the ice. Can be found in the couloirs of
the High Sierra in autumn (and in many other places).
Water knot
See tape knot.
(d) Bandschlingenknoten, (e) Nudo encontrado, (s) Vattenknop, (pl) Wezel wodny
Webbing (tubular)
Flat and strong strip of nylon, that is hollow in the inside.
(d) Schlauchband , (f) Sangle (tubulaire), (nl) Schlinges, (i) Fetuccia tubolare, (e)
Cinta tubular, (s) Tubband, (pl) Tasma rurowa
Webbing (loop of)
A runner made of webbing.
(d) Bandschlinge, (f) Sangle (anneau de), (i) Anello di cordin / Anello di fettucia, (e)
Anilla, (s) Slinga
Weighting
The delicate test of placing weight on a piece of pro after placing it. Usually with aid
climbing.
Whipper
A very long fall.
White ice
Ice with lots of air bubbles that forms from melted-and-frozen snow. Good climbing stuff.
(f) Glace blanche
Wombing
Doing a no-hands-rest.
Woodie
A homemade climbing wall.
(f) Pan
Yabo
As in 'yabo start'. A 'sit start'. Named after John Yablonski a
stud southern california climber, who was nicknamed Yabo.
YDS
Yosemite Decimal System. The North-American rating system.
Zawn
A deep and narrow fold or inlet in a sea cliff. British.
Zipper
A fall where the protection pulls out one after the other as the leader succumbs to
gravity. Often ends with a grounder (or a cardiac arrest).
(d) Rei&germandbls;verschlu&germandbls;sturz, (f) Déboutonner (verb), (pl) Suwak
Z-Pulley System
Complicated rope setup that allows you to hoist heavy weights with relatively little
force. Excellent for recueing or hauling bags.
(d) Flaschenzug, (f) Moufflage
Some URLS that have links to this page (this list isn't even near complete):
To The Climbing Archive!
To the DAV and JDAV
(German Alpine Club and its Youth section) in Leipzig.
To ClimbOn
To Climbing Guide to Varsova
(Greece)
To Tunbridge Wells Mountaineering Club
To Climbing in Caroux (France)