| If you get the climbing bug, you are entering a unique | | | | climbers leg starts to vibrate up and down. Causes |
| niche of people. Much like visiting another country, | | | | include being tired, being scared out of your wits and |
| you need to get down some of the lingo being used. | | | | good music. |
| Much like any sport, climbing has its own terminology. | | | | Face Climbing - Pretty much what you think. The art |
| Unlike most other sports, the terminology often does | | | | of climbing a vertical face using primarily finger holds |
| not have an obvious meaning. Here are a few terms | | | | and edges to work your way up. |
| you should know. | | | | Harness - A nylon device worn around the waist and |
| Anchor - Not the kind you find on a boat. In climbing, | | | | legs and tied off to supporting ropes. The harness is |
| the anchor is usually two pieces that support the | | | | a safety feature everyone should wear. |
| belay when climbing. What is a belay? Read on. | | | | Indoor Climbing - Also known as gym climbing. Most |
| Belay - The belay is rope anchor system used to | | | | cities have climbing gyms where you can practice on |
| provide support for a climber. The belay is often | | | | walls inside. Alternatively, you can empty out your |
| another person who feeds out rope to the climber as | | | | basement or garage and build your own. Great way |
| he or she makes progress up the climb. The belay is | | | | to practice and build up strength. |
| run through a friction system, often a mechanical | | | | Leading - The first person up on the climb. |
| brake. If the climber falls, the belay system is used | | | | Responsible for determining the route, solving |
| to keep them from plunging to the ground. | | | | problems, placing anchors and so on. Not for |
| Bouldering - Pretty much what it sounds like. To | | | | beginners. |
| practice technique and have a bit of fun, you find | | | | Pitch - Another term that means something other |
| large boulders and climb them. The relatively minimal | | | | than what it sounds like. A pitch has nothing to do |
| height makes falling less of an issue, but you probably | | | | with the vertical angle of the rock. It is the distance |
| want to throw down some pads to cushion any falls. | | | | between two belay points. |
| An excellent way to build up strength in muscles | | | | As with any new sport, you are going to run into far |
| needed for more advanced climbs. | | | | more terms than just these. If you don't know what |
| Crimp - Essentially the art of finding a finger hold | | | | something means, just ask. Rock climbing is one of |
| where there doesn't appear to be one. | | | | those sports were beginners are universally |
| Elvis - Also known as the sewing machine. When a | | | | welcomed and old pros tend to be very friendly. |