For climbing definitions used within this web site and the world of climbing please select a letter from below.
F.A. - n. abbreviation for "first ascent". Often seen in guidebooks to list the people responsible for the finding and climbing/naming of the route.
F.F.A. - n. abbreviation for "first free ascent", first ascent that did not use aid gear. Face Climbing - v. Climbing on the flat part of a rock face, with minimal features. The opposite to crack climbing.
Fall – A fast and dramatic exit from a route or climbing wall usually resulting in a few terse words and the formation of a crater if your protection, rope or belay failed. The old adage still says it all: “it is never the fall that kills, it's the landing.”
Fall Factor - n. The length of the fall divided by the amount of rope paid out. Used when deciding how much strain has been placed on a rope or piece of gear after it has been fallen on.
Fall Line - n. The downward path of a climber taken during their fall.
FecoFile - A PVC tube used to store solid human waste on big walls. Also know as “Muck Tubs” or “Shit Tubes”
Fifi Hook - n. A small hook, primarily used when aiding, to clip into a daisy chain or piece of gear.
Figure 4 - n. An uncommon and not very easy technique to make long reaches that requires lifting a leg over one arm putting the body in a position that resembles a "4".
Figure 8 - n. a common belay device (rappel device U.S.) shaped like the number "8".
Figure 8 knot - n. Also known as the "double figure 8" or "figure 8 follow through" or simply the “Climbers Knot” due to it’s popularity. The most common knot used to attach the climber's harness to the rope. Every climber should know this knot. No excuses!
Finger jam - n. Using the finger or a couple of fingers crammed into a crack as a hold. Can be painful An advanced technique. Cracks that are too small for hands and wider than finger width (off-finger size) are especially difficult to master. Can often result in a flapper.
Finger lock - n. see "finger jam"
Fist Jam - n. Similar to a finger jam but using the whole fist. This is a painful move and it’s not recommended to use for any period of time! Often used as a last resort where the hand is compressed into a recess of crack and pulled until anchored firmly in place.
Fixed protection - n. gear that is left on the rock for future use either intentionally or when a climber has bailed or binned a route. Indoor Climbing Walls are a good example of routes with fixed protection.
Fixed Rope - n. A rope fixed to a route by the lead climber and left in place for all who follow. Also refers to ropes left on sections of alpine climbs in order to aid the next party to attempt the route.
Flag - vb. to dangle a leg in a way that improves balance.
Flake - n. A rock formation where a 'flake' of rock sticks out from the rest of the wall.
Flapper - n. a superficial injury resulting in a loose flap of skin.
Flared Crack - n. A crack with sides that are not parallel, but instead form two converging planes of rock.
Flash - n. completion of a climb first try with no falls. 2. (vb.) to perform a flash.
Follow - v. Synonym: second. After the first climber leads the pitch, the second (the one who belayed the leader) follows, that is, he/she climbs up to the leader, cleaning (removing protection placed by the leader) the pitch on the way up. Because the leader is belaying the second from above, the second has a top rope and will not fall far if he falls at all. When the follower reaches the leader’s belay, he secures himself, takes the rack, and leads the next pitch. (See swinging leads.)
Fourth Class - n./adj./v. Refers to the Class 1 to 6 system (See Class 1 through 6); movement requiring the use of the hands as well as the feet and requiring specialized foot wear, and requiring a rope for safety, unlike Class 3. Experienced rock climbers tend to think of fourth class as easy and often do not rope up until they are on Class 5 terrain.
Free Climb - v. The act of making upward progress using only your hands, feet, and other body parts for purchase on the rock, as opposed to direct aid where the climber’s weight is supported by a sling attached to a device attached to the rock. When free climbing with a rope, the game is to never rely on the rope for assistance: it is there to catch you only if you fall. Contrast this with aid climbing in which your feet are in slings or stirrups and your hands are free (generally) to place the next piece of gear that will support your weight. While free climbing, you are using only your hands, feet, legs, hips, butt, back, chest, and shoulders to keep yourself from falling, and none of your weight is supported by slings or the rope.
Free Solo - v. To free climb without a rope and without protection. A fall is likely to result in serious injury or death. Usually distinguished from climbing high boulders in that free soloing implies a climb of a pitch or more. Contrast with the term highball.
Friend - Trade name for the original camming devices, now also available as Camalots, TCU's, Quads, Aliens, Big Dudes, etc.
Front Pointing - v. Technique for ascending steep or overhanging ice. The front teeth of the crampons are used to dig into the ice.
