Deep-water soloing (DWS), also called psicobloc, is climbing without a rope above deep water, which acts as the only protection when you fall. It's done on sea cliffs and over pools, combining the freedom of soloing with a relatively safe landing — though falls from height onto water can still injure, so it carries real risk.
Aid climbing is a style where the climber makes upward progress by pulling on, standing in, or hanging from gear placed in the rock, rather than climbing the rock free. It's used on big walls and on blank or overhanging terrain too hard to free climb, relies on equipment like etriers (ladders), and is graded on an A or C scale.
Multi-pitch climbing is climbing a route longer than a single rope length, broken into sequential pitches the team ascends one at a time. At the top of each pitch the leader builds an anchor and belays the second up, then they swap gear and continue. It adds anchor-building, rope management, and commitment on top of the climbing itself.
A deadpoint is a controlled dynamic move where you reach a far hold at the brief, weightless apex of an upward motion — the point where you are momentarily neither rising nor falling. Unlike a full dyno, you keep at least one hand and your feet on the wall, making it a precise, efficient way to gain distance.
Stemming, also called bridging, is a technique where you press outward with opposing limbs against two surfaces — typically the two walls of a corner or chimney — using counter-pressure to stay in place without positive holds. It can be strenuous or restful, and lets climbers ascend dihedrals and wide features with little to grip.
A finger lock is a crack-climbing technique where you slot your fingers into a thin crack and twist or torque them so they lock against the walls. Used in cracks too narrow for a hand jam, finger locks can feel surprisingly secure once trusted, but are strenuous on the fingers and take practice to use well.
A hand jam is the fundamental crack-climbing technique where you insert your hand into a hand-width crack and expand it — cupping the palm and flexing the thumb — so it locks against the crack walls. A solid hand jam is secure enough to hang and even rest on, and is the building block of crack climbing.
A lieback, or layback, is a technique for climbing edges and cracks where you pull sideways on the hold with your hands while pushing your feet against the rock in opposition, leaning your body to one side. It is a powerful way to climb flakes, arete edges, and corner cracks, but can be strenuous and awkward to protect.
A drop knee, also called an Egyptian, is a technique where you turn one knee inward and downward while your foot is on a hold, twisting your hips toward the wall to bring your reach closer and take weight off your arms. It is especially useful on steep, overhanging terrain with opposing footholds.
A toe hook is a technique where you pull with the top of your toes and foot against a hold or feature, using the foot like a hand to maintain tension on steep and overhanging climbing. It's often paired with a heel hook on the other foot to stop the body swinging out on roofs.