Climbing Terms

You might think were all talking shite but its not all gibberish, here's a handy guide to some of the basic terms and phrases used in climbing, including some unique UUJMC ones.... 


Belay - belayer, to belay. Term used to describe the function of controlling the rope so as to prevent a long fall for the climber.

Climb - climber, to climb. The guy at the other end of the rope stupid.

Lead - leading, to lead, to shit ones pants. Term used to describe the first assent of a climb with the placement of protection (see protection).

Red Point - Leading a climb with the protection already placed.

Second - seconding, to second. Term used to describe the second climber ascending the climb and removing the protection placed by the leader.

Top rope - top roping, to top rope. Climbing with a rope already attached to the top of the climb, the belayer can either be at the top or at the bottom.

Protection - placement of protection, to protect. A lead climber uses many different devices to 'protect' them from falling (see climbing gear).

Climbing gear - A term to encompass all of the equipment involved with climbing.

Climbing rack - Rack. Term used to describe a set amount of gear for a standard climb.

Abseil - abseiling, to abseil. Term used to describe a (safe) method of descending from a climb or to a climb, abseiling has become a weak pussy-assed sport in itself.


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