| Shape | Horizontal overhang (ceiling) |
| Demands | Core tension, hooks, underclings |
| Crux | Often pulling the lip |
| Difficulty | Intermediate to advanced |
A roof is a section of rock that juts out horizontally, overhanging so severely that it runs parallel to the ground like a ceiling. Climbing a roof demands powerful, tension-heavy movement — heel and toe hooks, underclings, and core strength — to keep the body from swinging off, and pulling the lip is often the crux.
How you climb one
Heel and toe hooks keep your feet on, underclings let you press through, and core tension holds it together — then you fight around the lip.
Roof vs overhang
A roof is the horizontal extreme of an overhang. See roof vs overhang.
Frequently asked questions
What is a roof in climbing?
A roof is rock that overhangs so much it's roughly horizontal, like a ceiling above you. Climbing one means moving out across the underside and then around the lip, which makes roofs dramatic, strenuous features and often the crux of a route.
How do you climb a roof?
With body tension and clever footwork: heel hooks and toe hooks keep your feet engaged so you don't swing off, underclings let you press through, and a strong core holds everything together. Pulling over the lip onto the wall above is usually the hardest part.
What's the difference between a roof and an overhang?
An overhang is any rock steeper than vertical; a roof is the extreme case where the rock is horizontal. Every roof is an overhang, but only near-horizontal sections are called roofs.
Sources
- Steep climbing technique — American Alpine Club