30 Must-Know Rock Climbing Terms, Phrases and Slang

Get ready to scale new heights with the lingo that’ll make you a rock climbing insider!

As you strap on your harness and chalk up your hands, these 30 must-know terms will transform you from a groundling to a cragmaster.

So, are you stoked to talk the talk as you walk the vertical walk?

Let’s climb on!

If you’re curious about the origins of rock climbing, check out our article on who invented rock climbing.

Must-Know Rock Climbing Terms, Phrases and Slang:

1. Anchor
2. Belay
3. Carabiner
4. Chalk
5. Dyno
6. Edge
7. Flake
8. GriGri
9. Harness
10. Jam
11. Knot
12. Lead climbing
13. Mantle
14. Nut
15. On-sight
16. Pitch
17. Quickdraw
18. Rappel
19. Redpoint
20. Rope
21. Route
22. Send
23. Smear
24. Top rope
25. Traverse
26. Undercling
27. V0-V16 (bouldering grades)
28. Whipper
29. Yosemite Decimal System
30. Z-clip

#1 Anchor

A critical safety feature in rock climbing, where the climber attaches the rope to a secure point on the rock or wall to prevent a long fall. Anchors can be natural, like trees or rocks, or manufactured, like bolts.

#2 Belay

The process of managing the rope to protect a climber during ascent or descent. The belayer controls the slack, catches falls, and lowers the climber using a belay device, which increases friction to help hold the climber’s weight.

#3 Carabiner

A metal loop with a spring-loaded gate, used by climbers to connect components in their safety system. Carabiners come in various shapes and sizes, and they’re essential for attaching the rope, gear, and anchor points.

#4 Chalk

A substance climbers apply to their hands to absorb moisture and improve grip on the rock face. Commonly magnesium carbonate, chalk is usually carried in a bag attached to the climber’s waist or back.

#5 Dyno

Short for “dynamic move,” a dyno is a high-energy jump from one hold to another where the climber temporarily becomes airborne. It requires explosive strength and precise timing and is often used to bypass difficult sections.

#6 Edge

A technique where climbers use the edge of their climbing shoes on small ledges or features of the rock for support. It allows climbers to stand on tiny footholds, distributing their weight for better balance and control.

#7 Flake

In rock climbing, a flake is a feature of the rock that appears as a thin, detached piece standing out from the main surface, somewhat like a large chip or scale. Climbers can use flakes as handholds or footholds, and sometimes flakes can be used for placing protection, although they can be unstable and require careful assessment for safety.

#8 GriGri

A GriGri is a popular type of belay device manufactured by Petzl that includes an assisted braking function. This feature helps the belayer manage the rope during a climb and provides additional safety by automatically locking the rope if the climber falls suddenly, making it easier to catch and hold a fall.

#9 Harness

A piece of equipment that climbers wear around their waist and thighs, providing a secure attachment point for a rope or belay device. It’s essential for safety, as it catches climbers if they fall.

#10 Jam

A technique used in crack climbing where a climber inserts a hand or foot into a crack and then twists it to create friction. This allows for upward progression when hold options are limited.

#11 Knot

A method of tying rope or webbing together to secure climbers and their gear. Common climbing knots include the figure-eight and bowline, each serving specific functions for safety and utility on the climb.

#12 Lead Climbing

A style of climbing where the climber ascends with the rope starting at the bottom and clips it through quickdraws attached to protection. This is opposed to top-roping, where the rope comes from above.

#13 Mantle

A climbing move that involves pushing down with the palms on a ledge or feature to lift the body up, similar to getting out of a swimming pool. It often requires balance and upper body strength.

#14 Nut

A type of passive protection used in traditional climbing, consisting of a metal wedge attached to a wire loop. Climbers place nuts in rock cracks to arrest a fall, making them a key safety device.

#15 On-sight

On-sight climbing is a specific style of climbing in which the climber attempts to ascend a route successfully on the first try without prior practice or advice from others about the route. The climber can only use information that is observable from the ground or during the climb itself.

#16 Pitch

In rock climbing, a pitch refers to a section of a climb between two belay stations. Multi-pitch routes require the climbing party to set up several belays as they progress, often involving alternating roles where one climber leads and then belays from above while the other follows.

#17 Quickdraw

An essential piece of climbing equipment comprising two carabiners connected by a strong, short sling. It’s used by climbers during lead climbing to clip the rope to bolts or protection, reducing drag and securing the rope’s path.

#18 Rappel

A controlled descent down a rock face or rope using friction applied through a belay device. It’s a vital skill for descending after a climb or getting to the base of a multi-pitch route.

#19 Redpoint

Successfully climbing a route without falling or resting on gear after having previously attempted it. It’s a testament to a climber’s perseverance and skill improvement.

#20 Rope

The lifeline of a climber, ropes come in dynamic and static variants, allowing for safety and versatility in various climbing scenarios, from belaying to rappelling.

#21 Route

A path up a climbing wall or natural rock face with specific moves, often categorized by its difficulty rating. Routes become a puzzle to solve for climbers, often requiring multiple attempts.

#22 Send

To successfully climb a route or boulder problem without falling or resting on the gear. In the community, “send” is a term of success, equivalent to completing or mastering a challenge.

#23 Smear

A footwork technique where a climber uses the rubber of their climbing shoe to create friction against a flat surface without a distinct foothold. It requires balance and body positioning to maintain grip.

#24 Top rope

A climbing system where the rope runs from a belayer at the ground, up through an anchor at the top of the climb, and back down to the climber. It’s often considered safer for beginners as it minimizes the distance of potential falls.

#25 Traverse

A horizontal or lateral movement across the rock face, often linking different parts of a route or to access a particular climb. Traversing can test a climber’s balance and technique more than vertical ascent.

#26 Undercling

A hold that is gripped with the palms facing upward and the fingers pulling upwards on the underside of an edge or feature. Underclings often require body tension and strategic foot placements to successfully navigate.

#27 V0-V16

The grading scale used to rate the difficulty of bouldering problems, with V0 being the easiest and V16 being one of the hardest climb grades established. Boulderers use this system to assess and compare problem difficulty.

#28 Whipper

Climbing slang for a dramatic, often long, lead fall where a climber falls past the last piece of protection they clipped, creating an arc-shaped trajectory. Whippers can be scary but are usually safe with proper belaying techniques.

#29 Yosemite Decimal System

Yosemite Decimal System helps climbers assess and communicate the challenges and risks associated with different routes.

#30 Z-clip

A Z-clip occurs when a climber mistakenly clips the rope into a quickdraw (a piece of climbing gear used to connect the climbing rope to bolt anchors or other protection points) using a section of the rope below their last clip instead of from above it.

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