Page 26 - Reaching-New-Heights-magazine-2019

BELAY CLIMBING

ON! LINGO

you need to know

When you first get into any new sport, you are
instantly exposed to a subculture, including terms
and jargon, specific to the environment, moves,
and equipment in which the sport takes place.
With rock climbing, it’s not just a trendy subculture
that uses fun words to appear exclusive. The
terms used are important and having a basic
understanding can mean the difference between
climbing safely or risking an injury.

General Climbing Terms

ANCHOR | A fixed point on a wall or rock climb that can be
used to attach a climber, rope, or ladder.

BELAY | A critical part of the climbing rope system, belaying
is a rope method that supports the entire weight of a climber.
“Belaying” is also used as a verb to describe the action of
using the rope supports to facilitate a controlled fall where
the climber pushes off the rock wall while the ropes ease the
descent.
BETA | The plan or step by step description of a climbing
sequence.
PITCH | Refers to the full length of one rope and is used as
a way to measure your climb. A single pitch climb uses one
length of rope. A multi-pitch climb is where you would stop,
pull your rope up and re-anchor before continuing your climb.
CRUX | The most challenging terrain, or grip or move of
your climb.
BOULDERING | Climbing without ropes or harnesses.

Recreation. Reinvented.
26 | Southport: Reaching New Heights