Educational Resources
Comprehensive educational resources to enhance your understanding of climbing systems and techniques. Use these tools to expand your knowledge, test your understanding, and learn to avoid common mistakes.
Learning Resources
These educational tools are designed to supplement hands-on training, not replace it. Always seek proper instruction from qualified professionals before implementing any techniques described in this application.
Climbing Terminology Glossary
Reference guide to common climbing terms and jargon. Use the filters below to find specific terms.
Equipment & Gear
- Anchor
- A point of attachment to the rock, ice, or snow for safety in climbing.
- Belay Device
- A mechanical device used to control the rope when belaying.
- Cam
- A spring-loaded device that expands to fill cracks, creating a secure anchor point.
- Carabiner
- A metal loop with a spring-loaded gate, used to connect components in the safety chain.
- Dynamic Rope
- An elastic climbing rope designed to stretch under load to absorb the energy of a fall.
- GriGri
- A proprietary assisted-braking belay device manufactured by Petzl.
- Harness
- Equipment worn around the waist and legs to connect a climber to the rope system.
- Jesus Piece
- In rope soloing, the crucial first piece of protection placed to prevent a factor 2 fall onto the anchor.
- Nut
- A passive protection device wedged into cracks to provide anchoring.
- Protection
- Removable or fixed equipment placed to prevent a climber from falling too far.
- Quickdraw
- Two carabiners connected by a short, sewn sling, used to clip the rope to protection.
- Rock Shoe
- Specialized footwear with sticky rubber soles designed for rock climbing.
- Static Rope
- A non-elastic rope primarily used for rappelling, hauling, or fixing lines.
Techniques & Methods
- Belay
- The technique of controlling the rope to protect a falling climber or lower a climber down.
- Crimper
- A small edge that can only be grasped with fingertips.
- Deadpoint
- A dynamic climbing move where the climber is momentarily in balance at the apex of movement.
- Figure-8
- A knot commonly used to tie a climber into the rope, or to create loops for anchors.
- Jumar
- To ascend a fixed rope using mechanical ascenders.
- Lead Climbing
- Climbing with the rope below you, clipping protection points as you ascend.
- Rappel
- A controlled descent down a rope.
- Rope Soloing
- Climbing alone while using a rope system for protection.
- Toprope
- Climbing with the rope always above you, anchored at the top of the route.
- Trad Climbing
- Traditional climbing where the climber places all protection during the ascent and removes it afterward.
Safety & Protection
- Factor 2 Fall
- The most severe fall scenario where the fall distance is twice the length of rope between climber and belayer.
- SERENE/ERNEST
- Acronyms for anchor building principles (Solid, Equalized, Redundant, Efficient, No Extension/Timely).
- Z-clip
- A dangerous clipping error where the rope runs incorrectly through protection points.
General Climbing Terms
- Beta
- Information about a climb, often detailing specific moves or sequences.
- Bomber
- Extremely solid and trustworthy, usually referring to protection placements or holds.
- Crux
- The most difficult move or sequence on a climb.
- Jug
- A large, easily graspable hold.
- Multi-Pitch
- A climb that is longer than one rope length, requiring multiple belay positions.
- On-sight
- To successfully climb a route on the first attempt without prior knowledge.
- Redpoint
- To successfully climb a route after previous attempts or practice.
- Single Pitch
- A climb that can be completed with one rope length.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Below are the most common errors climbers make when setting up rope soloing systems. Understanding these mistakes is crucial for your safety.
Incorrect GriGri OrientationCritical Risk
One of the most dangerous mistakes in rope soloing is orienting the GriGri incorrectly. When the device is upside-down compared to normal belaying, the cam will not engage properly in a fall.
INCORRECT SETUP
Potential Consequences:
Device will not catch a fall, resulting in ground fall and potential serious injury or death.
CORRECT SETUP
Proper Solution:
Always double-check your GriGri orientation before leaving the ground. The rope should run from the anchor, through the device with the climber side label facing toward the anchor, and the brake strand should exit toward your brake hand. Test the system under controlled conditions by weighting it close to the ground.
Knowledge Check: Rope Soloing
Test your knowledge about Rope Soloing with this intermediate-level quiz.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Questions: 5