free-climbing
Scaling without ropes
Free-climbing is rock climbing that relies only on the climber's body—hands, feet, strength, balance—to ascend.
Ropes and gear protect against falls but aren't used for upward progress.
Distinguished from aid climbing, where equipment helps the climber advance.
She free-climbed the route in under four hours.
Not to be confused with free-soloing, which uses no ropes at all.
Ropeless low-height climbing
- soloingPerforming without accompaniment
- top-ropingClimbing with anchor above
- flashBrief burst of light
- sendCause to arrive elsewhere
Exposed cliff surface
- cliffVertical rock wall
- overhangSection projecting beyond support
- slabThick flat piece
- chimneyVertical smoke passage
crack · ledge · arete · dihedral · buttress · pitch · crux · traverse
Folding by compression
- dynoEngine testing device
- edgingDecorative border material
- flaggingLosing vigor progressively
- jammingBlocking or wedging forcefully
kneebar · mantling · pinch · stemming · palming · smearing · matching · campus
State of being unprotected
- fallDescend under gravity
- runoutComplete depletion of supply
- whipperOne who strikes repeatedly
- deckingOutdoor wooden flooring
commitment · fear · adrenaline · danger · perilous · precarious · highball · consequence
Tall natural landmass
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- outdoorsIn open air
- cragSteep rugged outcrop
- gorgeDeep, narrow valley
valley · altitude · scenery · nature · landscape · environment · expedition · adventure
bouldering
Ropeless low-height climbing
- soloingPerforming without accompaniment
- top-ropingClimbing with anchor above
- flashBrief burst of light
send · project · highball · multi-pitch
rockface
Exposed cliff surface
chimney · crack · ledge · arete · dihedral · buttress · pitch · crux · traverse · summit
crimping
Folding by compression
jamming · kneebar · mantling · pinch · stemming · palming · smearing · matching · campus · bicycle
exposure
State of being unprotected
decking · commitment · fear · adrenaline · danger · perilous · precarious · highball · consequence · composure
mountain
Tall natural landmass
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- outdoorsIn open air
- cragSteep rugged outcrop
gorge · valley · altitude · scenery · nature · landscape · environment · expedition · adventure · exploration
grip
Secure manual hold
flexibility · coordination · agility · dexterity · stamina · muscle · tension · core · reach · power
quickdraw
Rapid weapon retrieval
anchor · bolt · rope · harness · belay · chalk · helmet · sling · runner · chalkbag
free, climb, frees, freed, freeing, freely, freedom, freedoms, freer