Bouldering Terminology Made Simple: A Guide With Translations

Bouldering, a discipline within rock climbing, has its own unique language filled with terms that every climber should know. Whether you’re scaling sandstone, granite, or limestone, or mastering techniques like heel hooks and dynos, understanding bouldering terminology is key to improving your skills and communicating with fellow climbers.

This comprehensive glossary covers essential bouldering terms, from climbing modalities and techniques to the materials you’ll use on the rock. Each term is provided with a detailed description and translations into Spanish, Catalan, French, and German, making it easier to connect with the global climbing community.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced boulderer, this guide will enhance your climbing knowledge and help you navigate conversations at the crag with confidence. Let’s dive into the world of bouldering terminology!

Climbing Modalities

• Bouldering
• Sport Climbing
• Trad (Traditional Climbing)
• Deep Water Solo (DWS)

Bouldering

A type of climbing that involves short, challenging routes or “problems” without the use of ropes or harnesses, typically on boulders or artificial climbing walls. Climbers rely on crash pads and spotters for safety.

Sport Climbing

A type of climbing where the route is equipped with permanent anchors and bolts for protection. Climbers use a rope and clip into these anchors as they ascend.

Trad (Traditional Climbing)

A climbing style where the climber places their own protective gear (cams, nuts, etc.) into the rock as they climb, then removes it afterward.

Deep Water Solo (DWS)

A form of solo climbing where the climber ascends over deep water without ropes or harnesses, relying on the water below for protection in case of a fall.

General Bouldering Terminology

• Spotter
• To spot
• Landing
• To fall
• Boulder
• Boulder problem
• Project
• First Ascent
• Flash
• Red Point
• Attempt
• Hold
• Grade
• Grade

Spotter

A person who assists a climber by guiding their fall and ensuring they land safely on a crash pad during bouldering.

To Spot

The act of providing support to a climber by helping guide their fall and protecting them from injury during bouldering.

Landing

The area directly below a climb where a climber might fall or land, often protected with crash pads in bouldering.

To Fall

When a climber loses their grip or footing and descends uncontrollably, often arrested by a crash pad or belay.

Boulder

A large rock or a section of a climbing wall that is used for bouldering.

Boulder Problem

A specific route or sequence of moves on a boulder that a climber attempts to complete.

Project

A boulder problem or climbing route that a climber is attempting to complete but hasn’t yet succeeded.

First Ascent

The first successful climb of a route or boulder problem, establishing it for future climbers.

Flash

Completing a climbing route or boulder problem on the first attempt without prior practice but with some prior information (like watching someone else climb it).

Red Point

Successfully climbing a route or problem after practicing it, with no falls or rests on the rope during the successful attempt.

Attempt

A single try or effort to climb a route or boulder problem, regardless of the outcome.

Hold

A feature on the rock or climbing wall that is used by the hands or feet to ascend.

Grade

A rating given to a climb or boulder problem to indicate its difficulty level.

Beta

The sequence of specific moves required to complete a climb or boulder problem.

Bouldering Materials Teminology

• Climbing shoes
• Sole
• Chalk bag
• Crash pad
• Chalk
• Brush
• Fan
• Headlamp
• Work light
• Fingerboard
• Tape
• Guidebook

Climbing Shoes

Specialized footwear designed to provide grip and precision on climbing holds. They have a tight fit and a sticky rubber sole to enhance performance. See Bouldering Shoes Guide for more information.

Sole

The bottom part of a climbing shoe, made of sticky rubber to maximize friction and grip on various climbing surfaces.

Chalk Bag

A small bag used to carry climbing chalk.

Crash Pad

A thick foam pad used in bouldering to cushion falls and reduce the risk of injury. They are portable and can be folded for easy transportation.

Chalk

A powdery substance, usually made from magnesium carbonate, applied to the hands to reduce moisture and improve grip while climbing.

Brush

A tool used to clean chalk, dirt, and debris from holds, improving grip and hold quality. Often used between attempts on boulder problems.

Fan

A portable device used to cool holds, the climber, or the surrounding environment, especially in hot conditions. Fans can help improve friction by keeping holds dry.

Headlamp

A portable light source worn on the head, essential for night bouldering or low-light conditions, allowing the climber to see the route and their surroundings.

Work Light

A powerful, portable light used to illuminate large areas or specific bouldering problems during nighttime sessions.

Fingerboard

Successfully climbing a route or problem from start to finish without falling or resting on the rope.

Tape

Used to protect the skin or support injured fingers and joints. Climbers often wrap tape around fingers to prevent splits or to stabilize joints during challenging climbs.

Guidebook

A book or manual that provides detailed descriptions, maps, and grades of climbing routes or boulder problems in a specific area.

Bouldering Techniques Terminology

• To edge
• Dyno
• Mantle
• Campus
• To tiptoe
• To heel hook
• To toe hook
• Barn door
• Bycicle
• Bump
• Drop-knee
• Flag
• Gaston
• Jam
• Knee Bar
• Rockover
• Smear

To Edge

Using the edge of the climbing shoe to stand on small holds or ledges, requiring precision and balance.

Dyno

A dynamic move where the climber leaps or jumps to reach a distant hold, often losing all points of contact momentarily.

Mantle

A technique where the climber uses a pushing motion to get on top of a hold or ledge, similar to pushing oneself up onto a shelf or getting off a swimming pool.

Campus

Climbing without using feet, relying entirely on hand strength and upper body power; also refers to campus board training.

To Tiptoe

Using the toes of the climbing shoes on very small footholds to maintain balance and control.

To Heel Hook

A technique where the heel is hooked over a hold to pull the body upwards or to stabilize a position.

To Toe Hook

Using the toes to hook onto a hold, often used to pull the body into the wall or to stabilize a position.

Barn Door

A situation where the climber’s body swings uncontrollably to one side, resembling the movement of a door swinging open.

Bicycle

A technique where the climber uses opposing pressure with both feet on a hold to maintain stability, resembling pedaling a bicycle.

Bump

A small, quick movement to adjust the hand or foot to a better position on the same hold or a nearby hold.

Drop-Knee

A technique where the climber drops one knee inward, allowing for better body positioning and leverage on overhanging terrain.

Flag

A technique where the climber uses one leg to counterbalance and stabilize, often extending it away from the body.

Gaston

A pushing move where the climber uses their hand against a hold, with the elbow pointing outward, similar to opening a door.

Jam

A technique where a climber wedges a body part, typically hands or feet, into a crack to secure a hold.

Knee Bar

A technique where the climber jams their knee between two holds to rest or stabilize themselves on a route.

Rockover

A technique where the climber shifts their weight over a foot placed high on a hold, allowing them to stand up and gain height.

Smear

Using the sole of the climbing shoe to press against a featureless surface to gain friction and maintain balance.

Bouldering Characteristics Terminology

• Fingery
• Powerful
• Endurance
• Technical
• Mental

Fingery

A characteristic of a climb that requires strong fingers due to small or thin holds.

Powerful

A climb or move that requires significant strength, often involving big, dynamic movements or holding onto difficult holds.

Endurance

The ability to maintain strength and technique over a long period, crucial for sustained climbs.

Technical

A climb that requires precise movements, balance, and good footwork rather than just strength.

Mental

Refers to the psychological aspects of climbing, such as focus, fear management, and confidence.

Bouldering Rock Types Terminology

• Sandstone
• Limestone
• Conglomerate
• Granite

Sandstone

A sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments, often used for climbing due to its unique texture and friction.

Limestone

A sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate, commonly found in climbing areas, known for sharp holds and overhangs.

Conglomerate

A coarse-grained sedimentary rock composed of rounded fragments cemented together, often forming unique and varied climbing holds.

Granite

A hard, igneous rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica, known for its rough texture and solid, reliable holds.

Bouldering Holds & Features Terminology

• Types of Holds
  • Jug
  • Undercling
  • Sidepull
  • Crimp
  • Pinch
  • Sloper
  • Crack
  • Pocket
  • Arete
  • Prow
  • Edge
  • Ledge
  • Pebble
• Types of Features
  • Dihedral
  • Overhang
  • Vertical wall
  • Slab
  • Roof
  • Highball
  • Lowball
  • Traverse

Jug

A large, deep hold that is easy to grip, often resembling a handle, ideal for beginners and resting positions.

Undercling

A hold that is gripped from underneath, requiring the climber to pull upwards while pushing against the rock with their feet.

Sidepull

A climbing hold that is oriented sideways, requiring the climber to pull laterally rather than vertically.

Crimp

A small hold that is gripped with the tips of the fingers, requiring finger strength and precise technique.

Pinch

A hold that is squeezed between the thumb and fingers, requiring finger strength and thumb pressure.

Sloper

A hold with a rounded, sloping surface, requiring open-hand grip and friction to hold onto.

Crack

A fissure in the rock that can be used as a hold by jamming hands, fingers, or feet into it.

Pocket

A small, rounded hole in the rock that can fit one or more fingers, requiring precision to grip.

Arete

An edge or corner of a rock face, often used as a hold by gripping the side of the feature.

Prow

A pointed or protruding rock feature that juts out like the bow of a ship, often providing challenging and exposed climbing.

Edge

A narrow, flat hold that requires precise foot or hand placement, often found on thin ledges or holds.

Ledge

A flat or relatively flat horizontal section of rock that provides a resting spot or holds for climbing.

Pebble

A small rock or stone, sometimes used metaphorically in bouldering to refer to small holds or features.

Dihedral

An inside corner where two planes of rock meet, forming a V-shape that can be used for climbing.

Overhang

A section of rock that juts out beyond the vertical, requiring powerful and often dynamic movements to climb.

Vertical Wall

A wall that is near vertical, requiring balance, precise footwork, and endurance.

Slab

A less-than-vertical wall that relies on balance and friction more than strength.

Roof

A horizontal or near-horizontal overhang that requires inverted climbing, using core strength and powerful movements.

Highball

A very tall boulder problem, often above 4-5 meters, requiring careful attention to safety and risk management.

Lowball

A short boulder problem, typically less than 2 meters high, often safer but still challenging.

Traverse

Climbing horizontally across a rock face or boulder rather than upwards, requiring endurance and balance.

Other Bouldering Terminology

• Downclimb
• Jump start/Swing start
• Sit start
• Stand start
• Final hold
• Top out
• Eliminate
• Footwork
• Foot suport
• Cut-loose
• Dab
• Flapper
• Match
• Pumped
• Tickmark
• Dry Fire
• Warm Up

Downclimb

The act of climbing downwards, often used to exit a climb or practice descent skills.

Jump Start/Swing Start

Starting a climb by jumping or swinging to reach the first hold.

Sit Start

Beginning a climb from a seated position on the ground, often requiring the climber to use strength and technique to rise from the sit.

Stand Start

A boulder problem that begins from a standing position, as opposed to a sit start or jump start.

Final Hold

The last hold on a boulder problem or route, which the climber must control to successfully complete the climb.

Top Out

Completing a climb by reaching the top and pulling oneself over onto the ledge or summit.

Eliminate

A variation of a boulder problem where certain holds are off-limits, increasing the challenge.

Footwork

The technique and placement of feet while climbing, crucial for maintaining balance and conserving energy.

Foot Support

A hold or feature used to place the foot and provide stability during a climb.

Cut-loose

When a climber’s feet swing off the wall, often resulting in a loss of control or a more dynamic movement.

Dab

An accidental touch of the ground or an off-limit hold, usually resulting in an invalid attempt on a boulder problem.

Flapper

A torn piece of skin, usually on the hands, caused by a sharp hold or excessive friction.

Match

Placing both hands or feet on the same hold to adjust or stabilize position.

Pumped

A state of muscle fatigue, usually in the forearms, where gripping holds becomes difficult due to lactic acid buildup.

Tickmark

A small mark, often made with chalk, used to indicate the location of a hold or key position.

Dry Fire

A “dry fire” is when your fingers unexpectedly slip off a hold, often causing a sudden fall. This can happen due to fatigue or poor grip.

Warm Up

The process of preparing the body for physical activity through light exercise, stretching, or easier climbs.

This glossary covers essential bouldering techniques, characteristics, and other terms that are widely used in the climbing community. Understanding these can significantly improve your climbing experience and communication with other climbers across different languages.

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