For climbing definitions used within this web site and the world of climbing please select a letter from below.
Rack - Gear used to lead climb that is normally carried on a sling.
Rappel - n/vb Widely used American term for the act of a descent of a vertical surface, as a cliff or wall, by sliding down a belayed rope that is passed under one thigh and over the opposite shoulder or through a device that provides friction, typically while facing the surface and performing a series of short backward leaps to control the descent. In the UK the term used is Abseil.
Rating System - A numeric or alphanumeric system used to rate the technical level of the climb and an indication of the technical experience necessary to complete the route. In Climbing Walls the rating is usually given at the bottom of the climb and is usually set by the instructor or creator of the climb.
Redpoint - n/vb. a clean ascent with no falls, placing protection while climbing.
Rest Step - To rest-step, drop the heel and completely straighten the leg with each step, which puts the weight on your skeleton and allows your muscles to rest momentarily.
"Rock!" - Particularly in America, this is called out when loose rock is knocked away from the rock face to inform the belayer or climbers below the lead climber that falling debris is heading their way. In the UK the term “Below” is shouted instead.
Rope - n. A flexible cord of tightly intertwined nylon or other material, used by climbers to prevent falling or in some cases to use to ascend rock faces. 2. “Rope” - shouted by American climbers as courtesy to inform those below that a rope is being thrown down for top roping or abseiling purposes. British climbers shout “Below”.
Roof - n. Term for the sky or for the completion of the ascent - “ I hit the roof and abseiled down before dusk.”
Roof Jug - Deep hand hold/foot hold in the ceiling of a cave or overhang. Americans climbers would refer to this as a bucket hold.
Route Climbing - The Act of climbing using specified routes as can be found in a Climbing Wall or Gym. Routes are rated using a technical rating. These ratings are different throughout the world such as British Grade, Yosemite Grade and Sherman Grade (U.S.) and French Grade etc. See Climb Grading.
Runner - n. a sewn or tied loop of webbing or rope used to connect protection elements.
Runout - n/vb/adj. without adequate protection.
