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The Ultimate Guide to Climbing Terms

Climbing has its own unique language, full of technical jargon and slang that might seem confusing at first. If you’ve ever heard climbers talk about “sending a project,” “dyno-ing to a jug,” or “crimping through the crux,” you might feel like they’re speaking another language.

But don’t worry—you don’t need to know all these terms to start climbing! Most of these words will become familiar as you spend more time in the gym. However, learning some key terms will help you:

Communicate better with other climbers
Understand gym routes and safety commands
Improve your technique and strategy faster

This guide covers everything from basic climbing terms to advanced techniques, safety commands, and grading systems—everything you need to navigate the climbing world with confidence.

General Climbing Terms

Climb: A general term for any climbing route or boulder problem, regardless of its difficulty or type.

Boulder Problem: A short, free-climbing route (typically 6-15 feet) that is climbed without a rope. Protection is usually provided by padded mats (crash pads) placed on the ground.

Route: A longer climb, typically 20+ feet in height, that requires the use of a rope for safety. Ropes are anchored at the top of the climb.

Send: Successfully completing a climb from start to finish without falling.

Crux: The most difficult or challenging section of a route or boulder problem. It often determines the difficulty grade of the climb.

Move: The individual action of reaching from one hold to another. A “move” is a single part of the sequence of moves that make up a climb.

Sequence: A series of moves that form a portion of a climb. The “crux sequence” refers to the hardest part of a climb, while a “project” could refer to any section you are still working to complete.

Project: A route or boulder problem that you are working on but have not yet completed. Often used as a personal challenge or goal.

Grade: A system used to measure difficulty, using V-grades for bouldering (e.g., V2, V10) and the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) for routes (e.g., 5.8, 5.12).

Wingspan: The distance from the tip of one middle finger to the other, measured with arms outstretched. This is often used to describe a climber’s reach relative to their height. A “positive wingspan” means your reach exceeds your height, while a “negative wingspan” means your reach is shorter than your height.

Reachy: Describes a move that is more difficult due to the distance between handholds. It can be particularly challenging for climbers with shorter wingspans.

Types of Sends

Onsight: To climb a route or boulder problem on your first try, with no prior knowledge of the climb (no prior beta, watching others, or practicing). The route must be completed cleanly and without mistakes.

Flash: Completing the climb on the first try, but with prior information such as watching someone else climb it, reading about it, or receiving advice (beta) from others.

Redpoint: Completing a climb after one or more attempts, with the ability to rest or recover during the climb. Redpointing involves climbing the route from start to finish without a fall, but prior knowledge of the route (even if it’s from previous attempts) is allowed.

Pinkpoint (Lead Only): A form of redpoint where all protection is already in place, such as all the quickdraws being hung on the route before starting the climb.

Forms of Climbing

Bouldering: A type of climbing that is performed without ropes, generally on shorter walls (typically no more than 20 feet). Climbs are protected by crash pads.

Top-Roping: A form of climbing where the rope is anchored above the climber. The belayer controls the rope from the bottom, preventing falls by maintaining tension.

Lead Climbing: The climber ascends a route with a rope, placing protection (such as cams or quickdraws) as they climb. If they fall, they fall a greater distance than in top-rope climbing.

Sport Climbing: A type of lead climbing where protection (such as bolts) is pre-placed into the rock, and the climber only needs to clip the rope into these fixed points.

Traditional Climbing (Trad): A form of lead climbing where the climber places their own protection gear (such as nuts or cams) while ascending the route. The gear is removed by another climber after the climb.

Free Climbing: Climbing using only natural holds, with ropes used only for safety.

Free Soloing: Climbing without any safety gear, ropes, or protection. This is an extremely dangerous practice where a fall could be fatal.

Climbing Techniques

Flagging: A technique where one leg is extended horizontally to balance the climber’s body weight onto the other leg, allowing for better foothold placement.

Dynamic Movement: A type of movement that involves using momentum to propel yourself upward to reach holds, such as jumping or reaching with a dynamic motion.

Dyno: An extreme form of a dynamic movement where both feet leave the wall, and the climber jumps to reach a distant hold.

Double-Dyno– A dyno where the climber goes two-handed to match the finish hold, rather than with one hand or the other.

Deadpoint: A controlled form of dynamic movement where the climber holds their position for a split second at the highest point of their jump, allowing them to grasp the hold.

Heel Hook: Using the heel to press against a hold for leverage and balance.

Smearing: Pressing the sole of the shoe against the wall for friction.

Drop-Knee: Rotating one knee downward to extend reach and reduce arm strain.

Mantling: A pressing motion (similar to pushing out of a swimming pool) to move onto a ledge.

Types of Holds

Jug: A large, easy-to-hold handhold, typically deep enough to fit your entire hand.

Crimp: A small, often in-cut handhold that is grasped with the fingers in a bent position. The smaller the crimp, the harder it is to hold.

Sloper: A rounded handhold with no positive grip, requiring good body positioning and proper technique to use effectively.

Pinch: A hold that requires a climber to grip it by pinching with the thumb on one side and the fingers on the other. Can vary in width from easy to very challenging.

Pocket: A hold that consists of a hole in the rock where one or more fingers can be inserted. They come in varying sizes, and small pockets can be particularly tough on the fingers.

Undercling: A handhold where the climber pulls upwards, often using an upward force rather than a typical downward pull.

Sidepull: A hold oriented at an angle so that it must be loaded with a climber’s thumb pointing up. Sometimes also referred to as a layback or lieback.

Gaston: A hold oriented at an angle so that it must be loaded with a climber’s thumb pointing down.

Wall Features & Angles

Slab: A wall angled less than vertical. Requires balance and precise footwork.

Vertical Wall: A 90-degree wall, straight up and down.

Overhang: A wall tilted past vertical, requiring upper-body and core strength.

Roof: A horizontal overhang, requiring powerful movement and advanced techniques.

Arete: An edge where two faces of a rock or wall meet, forming a sharp angle. It can be a challenging feature to climb depending on the angle.

Inside Corner (Dihedral): An inward-facing corner where two walls meet, allowing for pressing movements between them.

Face: Face climbs are typically dead vertical to slightly overhanging (about 5 degrees steeper than vertical). Also, a face can refer to a section of wall or rock in general.

Safety & Equipment Terms

Belay: The act of managing the rope to protect the climber in case of a fall. The belayer uses a belay device (e.g., ATC or GriGri) to control the rope.

Harness: Worn around the waist and legs to attach to a rope.

Quickdraw: A pair of carabiners connected by a piece of webbing or sling. Quickdraws are clipped into fixed protection points (like bolts) during sport climbing, allowing the rope to move freely.

Anchor: A secure attachment point at the top of a climb.

Carabiner: A metal loop with a gate used for attaching gear.

Slack: A request for the belayer to give extra rope, allowing the climber to move freely or reach further without tension on the rope.

Take: A request for the belayer to remove any slack in the rope, creating tension, often in preparation for a fall or when the climber is resting.

Gear: The general term for climbing protection equipment used in lead climbing, including cams, nuts, hexes, and quickdraws.

Climbing Grading Systems

Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) – Used for Roped Routes

The standard grading scale in the US for free climbing routes. Invented, as the name suggests, to grade routes in the Yosemite Valley, CA. The system follows a scale that begins at 5.0 (the easiest climbing, sometimes referred to as “a ladder”) and 5.15c (currently the hardest confirmed free climb in the world).

  • 5.0 – 5.4 – Very Easy
  • 5.5 – 5.7 – Beginner
  • 5.8 – 5.10 – Intermediate
  • 5.11 – 5.12 – Advanced
  • 5.13 – 5.15 – Expert/Elite

Grades 5.10 and higher are further divided into letters (a, b, c, d) to refine difficulty (e.g., 5.10a < 5.10b < 5.10c < 5.10d).

Verm Scale (V-Scale) – Used for Bouldering

The standard grading scale in the US for boulder problems. Invented, as the name suggests, by a guy named Verm–well, nicknamed Verm, his real name is John Sherman.

  • VB (Beginner) – Very easy climbs
  • V0 – V2 – Easy to Intermediate
  • V3 – V6 – Intermediate to Difficult
  • V7 – V10 – Advanced
  • V11 – V13 – Expert
  • V14 – V17 – Elite

Some gyms add “+” or “-” to further differentiate climbs within the same grade (e.g., V3- or V6+).

Final Thoughts: Do You Need to Know All This to Start Climbing?

Absolutely not! Climbing is for everyone, and you don’t need to memorize these terms before getting started. The best way to learn is by climbing, asking questions, and having fun.

However, knowing these terms will help you:
Communicate better with other climbers.
Improve technique by learning movement styles.
Navigate gyms more easily by knowing route types and holds.

So, grab some rental gear, head to your local gym, and start sending your first climbs! 🚀

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Welcome to Philadelphia Rock Gyms!

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Terms and Conditions

Philadelphia Rock Gyms (“PRG”) provide membership plans to allow customers access to our various climbing facilities during normal operating hours.

By accepting these Terms and Conditions, which govern our membership plans, you (“Client”) agree to the following:

  1. Membership

    • For all membership plans, provided that you, the Client, are not in default and subject to these Terms and Conditions after the initial term commitment of your membership plan has expired, your membership will automatically renew monthly until terminated. You will be notified of rate increases at least 30 days before automatic rollover renewal.
    • Automatic Monthly Rollover may be canceled with a written notice delivered to your home facility’s address. Cancelation requests must be submitted by the 25th of the month to cancel for the consecutive month after the initial term is complete.
    • PRG may offer several different membership plans. Some membership plans may have differing conditions and limitations, which will be disclosed at your sign-up or in other communications made available to you.
  1. Promotional Offers

    • PRG may occasionally present special promotional offers, plans, or memberships (“Offers”). PRG determines offer eligibility at its sole discretion, and we reserve the right to revoke an Offer and put your account on hold if we determine you are not eligible. Members of households with an existing or recent PRG membership may not be eligible for certain introductory Offers. The eligibility requirements and other limitations and conditions will be disclosed when you sign-up for the Offer or in other communications.
  2. Billing and Cancellation

    • Billing Cycle. The membership fee for PRG and any other charges you may incur in connection with your use of the service, such as initiation fees, maintenance fees, or possible transaction fees and taxes, will be charged to your Payment Method on the specific payment date indicated when you purchased your membership plan. The length of your billing cycle will depend on the type of membership plan that you purchase. Membership fees are fully earned upon payment. Sometimes, your payment date may change, for example, if your Payment Method was not successfully settled when you changed your membership plan or if your paid membership began on a day not contained in a given month. We may authorize your Payment Method in anticipation of membership or service-related charges through various methods, including authorizing it up to approximately one month of service as soon as you sign up.
    • Payment Methods. To purchase a PRG membership plan, you must provide one or more accepted Payment Methods. You authorize PRG to charge any Payment Method associated with your account in case your primary Payment Method is declined or no longer available to us to pay your membership fee(s). You remain responsible for any uncollected amounts. Suppose payment is not successfully settled due to expiration or insufficient funds, and you do not cancel your account. In that case, we may suspend your access to all PRG locations until we have successfully charged a valid Payment Method. For some Payment Methods, the issuer may charge you certain fees, such as foreign transaction fees or other fees relating to processing your Payment Method. Check with your Payment Method service provider for details.
    • Default and Late Payments. Should you default on any payment obligation as called for in these Terms and Conditions, PRG will have the right to declare the entire remaining balance due and payable, and you agree to pay allowable interest and all costs of collection, including but not limited to collection agency fees, court costs, and attorney fees. A default occurs when any payment due under these Terms and Conditions is more than ten days late. You will be charged a late fee if any monthly payment becomes more than ten days past due. An additional service fee will be assessed for any check, draft, credit card, or order returned for insufficient funds or other reasons. If the Member is paying a membership fee(s) by electronic funds transfer (EFT), PRG reserves the right to draft via EFT all amounts owed by the Member, including any and all late fees and service fees. Note: Members paying monthly dues by EFT are subject to a $5.00 per month increase in monthly dues if EFT payment is stopped or changed. This will not affect any other provisions of this agreement.
    • Cancellation. After the initial term commitment of your membership plan has expired, all membership plans will automatically renew every month until terminated. Automatic Monthly Rollover may be canceled at any time upon a written notice delivered to your home facility’s address. Notice must be given by the 25th of the month.
    • Suppose you wish to cancel your membership before your membership plans’ initial term commitment. In that case, you may cancel by delivering in person or by mailing by certified mail, return receipt requested, or written notice to the Philadelphia Rock Gym (PRG) at your home PRG facility’s address. The notice must say that you do not wish to be bound to the membership Terms and Conditions and must be delivered in person or mailed before 12 midnight of the third business day after you agree to the Terms and Conditions of your membership plan.
    • In some cases, you may also cancel your membership before the initial term commitment is expired if you accepted these Terms and Conditions before the home climbing facility was completed, if the facility moves or goes out of business, if you become permanently disabled, or if you move outside of an additional forty-five-mile radius from your home PRG facility. If you cancel, PRG may be entitled to collect and/or retain a certain portion of the total membership plan price.
    • i. Client can cancel their membership without penalty within three business days of purchase and accepting the Terms and Conditions. Upon receipt of the cancellation notice under this paragraph, PRG shall refund the Client all monies, including any initiation fee paid under the membership plan.
    • ii. Client is permitted to cancel their membership if PRG closes for more than 30 consecutive days and PRG fails to provide a comparable facility within ten miles of the location designated as your home facility. Upon receipt of notice of cancellation under this paragraph, PRG shall refund to the Client all monies paid more than an amount computed by dividing the full membership plan price, including any initiation fee, by the number of weeks in the membership term and multiplying the result by the number of weeks elapsed in the membership term.
    • iii. Client or his/her legal representative may cancel their membership if the Client dies or becomes permanently disabled. A permanent disability means a condition that precludes the Client from using one-third or more of the facilities for six consecutive months or more, and the condition is verified in writing by a physician. Upon receipt of notice of cancellation under this paragraph, PRG shall refund the Client all monies paid more than an amount computed by dividing the full membership plan price, including any initiation fee, by the number of weeks in the membership term and multiplying the result by the number of weeks elapsed in the membership term, less a predetermined fee not exceeding $100.00, or if more than half of the life of the membership plan has expired, a predetermined fee not exceeding $50.00. In case of a permanent disability, PRG may require the Client to submit to a physical examination by a physician agreeable to the Client and PRG. PRG shall bear the additional cost of the examination.
    • iv. Client may cancel their membership if he/she moves more than 45 additional miles from their PRG home facility and cannot transfer the membership to a comparable facility within ten miles of his/her new residence. The client must provide proof of a new address. Upon receipt of notice of cancellation under this paragraph, PRG shall refund to the Client all monies paid more than an amount computed as of the date of relocation by dividing the full membership plan price, including any initiation fee, by the number of weeks in the membership term, less a predetermined fee not exceeding $100.00, or if more than half of the life of the membership plan has expired, a predetermined fee not exceeding $50.00.
    • v. To cancel your membership according to paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv), the Client shall notify PRG of cancellation in writing by personal delivery or by certified mail, return receipt requested, in either case to the address of your home facility; all money to be refunded upon cancellation of the Membership plan shall be paid within 40 days of receipt of the notice of cancellation. If the Client has executed a credit, lien, or automatic funds transfer agreement with PRG to pay for PRG services, any negotiable instrument or credit of lien agreement executed by the Client shall be returned, and any automatic transfer shall be canceled within 40 days after the notice of cancellation.
    • Changes to the Price and Membership Plans. PRG reserves the right to change our membership plans or adjust pricing for our service or any components thereof in any manner and at any time as we may determine in our sole and absolute discretion after your initial or renewal term expires. Except as otherwise expressly provided for in these Terms and Conditions, any price changes or changes to your membership plan will take effect following at least 30 days’ email notice to you. You may choose not to accept any price increase by canceling your membership in writing by personal delivery or by certified mail, return receipt requested, in either case to the address of your home facility.  Such termination will become effective thirty days after PRG receives your written notice.
    • No Refunds. Payments are nonrefundable unless otherwise stated in these Terms and Conditions, and unless otherwise provided, there are no refunds or credits for partially used membership periods. Following any cancellation, however, you will continue to have access to your membership through the end of your current billing period. At any time and for any reason, we may provide a refund, discount, or other consideration to some or all of our members (“credits”). The amount and form of such credits, and the decision to provide them, are at our sole and absolute discretion. The provision of credits in one instance does not entitle you to credits in the future for similar instances, nor does it obligate us to provide credits in the future under any circumstance.
  1. Miscellaneous

    • Under these Terms and Conditions, no further payments shall be due to anyone, including any purchaser of any note associated with or contained in these Terms and Conditions, if the home facility ceases operation and fails to offer a comparable alternate location within ten miles of your home facility.
    • If PRG temporarily closes for less than 30 days, the Client shall receive an extension of the membership term equal to the period during which the facility was closed.
    • The Client is permitted to extend the term of the membership plan at no additional cost for some time equal to the duration of a disability where the Client has a disability that precludes the Client from using one-third or more of the facilities for less than six months, and the disability is verified in writing by a physician.

Notice: Any PRG member or customer is subject to all claims and defenses a debtor could assert against the seller of goods or services obtained pursuant hereto or with the proceeds. Recovery hereunder by a debtor shall not exceed amounts paid by such debtor.

By accepting these Terms and Conditions, the Client acknowledges that they have read and agreed to the Terms and Conditions in full.

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