For climbing definitions used within this web site and the world of climbing please select a letter from below.
Sandbag - n/adj/vb a climb that has been given an inappropriately low rating for the difficulty and the technical skill needed to complete the climb. Problem often faced with climbers of varying ability giving a grading to a new route or climb and then someone of better technical skill flashing the climb.
Scrambling - n/adj. Scrambling is a category
of climbing that does not entail the use of any ropes on the ascent or descent.
Although skilled mountaineers may choose not to use ropes on hard climbs,
for instance to save time in a dangerous situation, the rule for scrambles
is that hands need be used only for balance, not to support any of the climber's
weight. In practice this means the terrain will be approximately the steepness
and difficulty of a ladder; the footholds will be large and the climber
will be able to stand upright.
In the US, scrambling is Class 3 in the Yosemite Decimal System of climb
difficulties, and Easy in the British system.
Many of the world's mountaintops may be reached by walking or scrambling
up their least-steep side. These routes are not always obvious, but mountaineering
books generally mention them; they are often used as the safe and easy way
to descend from a more difficult route.
Some guide books on scrambling may rate the routes as follows:
- easy - generally, just off-trail hiking with minimal exposure (if at all) and perhaps a handhold or two. UIAA Class I.
- moderate - handholds frequently needed, possible exposure, route finding skills helpful. UIAA Class II.
- difficult - almost constant handholds, fall distance may be fatal, route finding skills needed, loose and downsloping rock. Less experienced parties may consider using a rope for short sections. YDS class 3, 4 and possibly 5.
Screamer - n a very long fall which can result in injury or death.
Screw Gate - n. Type of Karabiner that has a threaded gate which can be locked when fixed to protection etc, by finger pressure.
Second - n. Term for the climber who goes next in line after the lead climber.
Self Belay Device - n. Device popular in indoor climbing walls and gyms which allow a climber to solo climb without a belay partner. The device has a strong nylon tape which clips to the climbers harness and as the climber ascends the Self Belay Device winds in the tape. If the climber falls or wishes to descend the climber steps away from the wall and the Self Belay Device lowers the climber through a geared retention mechanism within the device.
Send - vb to complete a route successfully.
Sewing Machine Leg - expression given to the uncontrollable twitching of a leg which is overly tired or holding the bodyweight on a small or inappropriate hold. Also referred to as Disco Leg and Elvis Leg.
Slab - n any climb that is less than vertical, especially those devoid of features requiring smearing of the feet. 2.) – term for a section of flat featureless rock.
“Slack!” - Call from the Climber to the belayer to pay out some slack rope so the climber can execute a move more freely.
SLCD - n. Abbreviation for Spring Loaded Camming Device. A piece of protection that can be cammed into a crack in the rock and expanded by releasing the spring tension. Example – Supercam™ by Metolius.
Sling - n/vb a loop of nylon or material webbing or rope (see runner)
Sloper - n. a downward sloping hold where the hold requires a complete open palm to grip. Offers very little grip for the fingers to attach, other than to smear.
Smear - n/vb the act of placing a large surface area of climbing shoe rubber on a hold or the flat of the rock face when a hold isn’t present to create maximum friction. Usually the sole of the shoe is forced against the flat rock to keep stability whilst the hands work on the holds.
Solo - n/vb abbreviation for free solo, climbing without protection or aid. Only for the very self assured or Larry Lobs.
Sport Climbing - n one of the disciplines of climbing that generally emphasizes shorter routes, physically difficult movements, exaggerated technical problems and bolted protection. This includes indoor climbing and competition climbing.
Static Rope – n. Static rope is mainly used as top rope anchors for instance in indoor climbing walls or gyms and for abseiling. It will not stretch and does not give at all, making it ideal for heavy usage.
Static Roping – v. The procedure of clipping in a static rope for climbers to descend by abseiling.
Stem - n/vb movement requiring opposing outward pressure much like a child climbing a door jam.
Summit – n. The highest point or part of a route, mountain or rock face etc.
