| What it is | Central, equalized clip-in point |
| You clip | Belay device, tether, rope |
| Benefit | Simple, redundant, checkable |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
The master point is the single, strong, central point of a climbing anchor where all the individual pieces are brought together and equalized. The belay device, the climber’s tether, and the rope all clip into the master point, keeping the anchor simple, redundant, and easy to check. It is also called the power point.
Why anchors use one
Bringing every piece to one equalized point shares the load and makes the anchor easy to inspect — built with a cordelette, sling, or a sliding X.
What clips in
Your belay device, personal tether, and the rope.
Frequently asked questions
What is the master point of an anchor?
It's the one central point where all the anchor's pieces are joined and equalized into a single, strong attachment. Instead of clipping into separate pieces, you clip your belay device, tether, and rope into the master point, which simplifies the system and makes it easy to inspect.
Where do you clip on an anchor?
Into the master point. Bringing everything to that one equalized, redundant point keeps the rigging tidy and ensures the load is shared across the anchor's pieces rather than hanging off any single one.
What's the difference between a master point and a power point?
Nothing — they're two names for the same thing: the central clip-in point of an anchor. 'Master point' and 'power point' are used interchangeably.
Sources
- Anchor building — American Alpine Club