An arete and a dihedral are opposite rock features. An arete is a convex outward edge or prow where two faces meet, climbed on the outside with balance and laybacking; a dihedral is a concave inside corner, like an open book, climbed between the walls with stemming and laybacking.
| Aspect | Arete | Dihedral |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Convex outward edge | Concave inside corner |
| You climb | On the outside of the edge | Between two walls |
| Key techniques | Layback, flag, balance | Stem, layback, jam |
| Feel | Exposed, balancey | Secure, bridgeable rests |
| Also called | Arête, prow | Corner, open book |
It's an arete when…
- The rock juts outward as an edge
- You climb the outside of the prow
- The line feels exposed
It's a dihedral when…
- Two walls meet as an inside corner
- You press between the two faces
- You can bridge for a rest
Verdict
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an arete and a dihedral?
An arete is a convex outward edge you climb on the outside of; a dihedral is a concave inside corner you climb between two facing walls. They're opposite shapes and need different techniques.
How do you climb each one?
On an arete you use the edge as a feature — laybacking and pinching it, flagging a leg to stop barn-dooring. In a dihedral you stem between the walls, layback a corner crack, or jam any crack, often finding rests by bridging.
What's a corner in climbing?
'Corner' is another name for a dihedral — an inside angle where two rock faces meet like an open book. It's climbed with opposing pressure between the two walls.