Rock Climbing Terms

The most clear expression of free climbing is the on the first time ascending of a route or pitch which is called on sight. That is the complete free climb on the first attempt, without preview or systematic falls and without information or previous attempts on the route.

The ascend of a route or pitch of which we have previously gathered information (e.g. some special moves or a hidden hold) is called beta flash.

The ascend of a route or pitch after some attempts or groundwork on the route is called red point.

Finally the ascend of a route or pitch after some attempts or groundwork on the route and withthe quickdraws placed on the safety points is called pink point.

In multipitch routes yo-yo is usual. When the leader climbs e.g. half of the pitch, he falls and the belayer lowers him like a "bucket". After that he starts the climbing of the pitch again with the rope in the quickdraws. A more acceptable form of yo-yo is when we take the rope off the quickdraws and let the quickdraws and the safety devices on the rock. This second form of yo-yo is generally considered as a pink point.

These are the basic rock climbing terms.

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