top-roping
Rope from above
Top-roping is a style of rock climbing where the rope runs from the climber up through an anchor at the top of the route and back down to a belayer at the bottom.
This configuration means a fall results in minimal distance dropped, making it the safest and most beginner-friendly form of roped climbing: We spent the afternoon top-roping at the local crag.
Compare to lead climbing, where the climber clips into protection points while ascending.
Anchor a rope
- harnessStraps controlling an animal
- carabinerSpring-gated metal link
- anchorSecures ships to seabed
- quickdrawRapid weapon retrieval
ATC · helmet · chalk · tether · figure-eight · sling · webbing
Path from A to B
- wallVertical enclosing structure
- cragSteep rugged outcrop
- overhangSection projecting beyond support
- slabThick flat piece
face · ledge · chimney · crack · pitch · grade · crux · arete
Fixing rope for safety
- loweringMoving something downward
- clippingPiece cut out
- threadingPassing strand through opening
- cleaningRemoving dirt and mess
communication · take · slack · tension · weight · catching · feeding
Exercise facility
Stored duplicate for recovery
- checklistItemized verification guide
- spottersThose who watch closely
- instructionGuidance for action
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
communication · redundancy · commands · trust · supervision
belay
Anchor a rope
quickdraw · ATC · helmet · chalk · tether · figure-eight · sling · webbing
ascent
Upward movement
edging · smearing · mantle · dyno · traverse · crimp · pinch · stemming · flagging · layback
route
Path from A to B
slab · face · ledge · chimney · crack · pitch · grade · crux · arete · dihedral
belaying
Fixing rope for safety
cleaning · communication · take · slack · tension · weight · catching · feeding
gym
Exercise facility
backup
Stored duplicate for recovery
- checklistItemized verification guide
- spottersThose who watch closely
- instructionGuidance for action
training · communication · redundancy · commands · trust · supervision
top-ropinglead climbing
Ascending while placing clips
leading · free soloing · sport climbing · traditional climbing · alpine climbing