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Climbing 101

This website is an introduction to all things climbing. I hope this helps inform and inspire some new climbers out there!

Let's Start with some FAQs

What is climbing?

Climbing is a sport in which you try to ascent the face of a mountain or a cliff.

Are there different techniques to get up a route?

Yes here are two of the most common techniques:

Top Roping : here you climb a face and are secured by a rope which is anchored to the top of the climb and a belayer which takes up the rope slack as you climb.
Lead Climbing : this technique is used to ascend the route. The climber will attach themselves to the rope and will climb the route while attaching protection (gear or bolts) to the face of the climb and will then clip into it. This means that you are not initially attached to the anchors at the top and will bring the rope up with you as you climb. A belayer is present to catch any falls and to take up slack as the climber ascends.

Are there different types of climbing?

Yes! Climbing can be done on rock faces or ice.

Rock Climbing

Bouldering: in bouldering you use no rope and climb boulders. Protection is found though the use of crash pads and spotters on the ground.
Sport Climbing: Using the lead climbing method, climbers will go up a route and clip into fixed bolts on the face of the rock using quick draws.
Trad Climbing : this is a way of climbing without fixed anchors or bolts. Instead the leading climber will place traditional protection (camming devices and nuts) and will clip into those.

Ice Climbing

Climbers will ascend an ice face using the lead or top roping techniques. Climbers are aided by ice axes and crampons.

Climbing Lingo

You will often hear climbers using certain words to describe climbs or other things when talking to each other. Here are some of the basics:

Beta - Information/advice given about a climb
Crimp - a small hold which that utilized only fingers to move up the wall
Crux - This is the toughest move or part of the climb
Crag - A climbing area
Send - When you successfully climb a route without falling, regardless of the amount of times you have tried
Figure 8 - Climbing knot woven in the shape of the number 8, which is used to tie the climbing rope to the climber's harness
Flash - Doing a route/ boulder first try without falling with some information, such as a rack suggestion or beta
Grigri - A belay device with an auto-locking mechanism that catch's a climber's fall.
Jam - this is a technique to move up where a body part (fingers, hands, and feet) is wedged into a crack in a rock climb.
Jug - A large, easily gripped hold.
Mantel - A climbing move in which downward pressure is applied with the hands to a ledge. Climbers then lift their bodies high enough to get the feet on that same ledge.
On-site - Climbing a route on the first try with no prior information
Pitch - The length of a climb that can be protected by 1 rope length.
Project - word used to describe a route you are working on sending
Sloper - A hold that utilises friction to move up the wall
Whipper - A long fall on lead

 Source:pinterist.com
                
            

You can find a more complete guide by REI here

Climbing Locations

Climbing is a very fun sport and is also very safe when done properly! There are many ways to get into climbing. One of them is to visit your local indoor gym. In the DC area you will find the Earth Treks gyms which offer bouldering, top roping, and lead climbing walls. You can find more information here: www.earthtreks.com

If you have a friend that knows how to set up top ropes, you can climb at some local crags at Carderock, Great Falls, and Annapolis Rocks.

If you are a lead climber and you are looking for places to go these are some favorite locations:

Red Rock Canyon, NV
The Red River Gorge, KY
The New River Gorge, WV

Climbing News

Want to keep up with climbing? Check out these specific magazines:

Climbing Movies

If you are looking for inspiration, the Reel Rock movies are amazing and a great way to get to know climbers that have revolutionized the sport.

You can watch Reel Rock 9 - Valley Uprising and Meru on Netflix

Photo Gallery


The New River Gorge	The New River Gorge	Red Rock	Red Rock