Learn these common climbing terms and you just might avoid an embarrassing situation if you’re asked to “flash.”
Arete
An outside corner on a rock face, like corners of a pyramid.
Buttress
A rock formation that projects out from the main face or cliff.
Chimney
A wide crack usually big enough to fit the climber’s entire body inside.
Crux
The most difficult portion of a climb. Usually, the crux is a single move or a short sequence of moves.
Dihedral
Where two walls meet to form an inside corner.
Flash
To successfully send a route the first time without practicing it
Leading
Sending a sport or trad route first, either placing protection as you go or clipping in to existing bolts. The level of risk is higher when leading, as you’re not automatically anchored to the rock.
Pitch
The distance climbed with one length of rope. Climbs can be single-pitch or multi-pitch. Table Rock, N.C. is famous for its multi-pitch routes (600 feet long), whereas Sunset Rock, Tenn., is known for its single-pitch routes (less than 80 feet).
Problem
A bouldering term, meaning the path the climber takes to complete the climb. A bouldering problem is the equivalent of a climbing route.
Send
To successfully complete, or “ascend,” a route.
