Naked Edge (28 page)

Clean -
The act of removing protection from a pitch. Usually performed by the second climber.

Crux
- The most difficult part of a climbing route or pitch.

Free solo -
Climbing without a rope.

Gumby
- A derogatory term for a climbing novice.

Lead -
The first climber to ascend, placing protection and clipping the belay rope as they climb. Falling while leading is more dangerous since the lead climber will fall at least twice the distance between the climber and the last piece of protection.

Nut
- A metal wedge attached to a wire loop that is inserted into cracks for protection.

Peel -
Fall.

Pendulum
- A lateral swinging fall that occurs when the last piece of protection is placed far to one side.
 

Pitch -
The part of a climb between two belay stations.

Protection -
Climbing equipment used to stop a fall or set up an anchor for belaying. Often referred to as “pro.”
 

Prusik
- (Noun) A knot used for ascending a rope. (Verb) The act of ascending a rope using a prusik knot.

Pumped
- A build up of lactic acid in the forearms, making it difficult to hang on.

Rack -
The protective equipment taken on a climb. Also, part of the climbing harness where equipment is hung.

Roof
- Overhanging rock.

Route -
The predetermined path of a particular climb. Often made up of several pitches.

Runout -
A long distance between two points of protection.
 

Scree
- Loose gravel.

Second -
A climber who follows the lead.

Sharp end -
The end of the rope attached to the lead climber. “Taking the sharp end” refers to lead climbing.

Sport Climbing
- Climbers clip into pre-placed, permanent protection or “bolts” whether outdoors or in a climbing gym.

Talus -
Larger rocks and boulders that are sometimes locked together to form a stable surface.
 

TCU -
Three Cam Unit.
 

Traditional
or
“trad”
climbing - Climbers place their own protection as they climb.

Traverse -
To climb in a horizontal direction.