Rappelling (also called abseiling) is the technique of descending a fixed rope in a controlled manner using a friction device to manage the speed of descent. Climbers rappel to get off routes, descend cliffs, and retreat. Although routine, it is statistically one of the more dangerous climbing activities because it relies entirely on the anchor, rope, and device with little margin for error.
Climbing shoes are specialized, close-fitting footwear with sticky rubber soles designed to maximize grip and precision on small holds. Their downturn and asymmetry range from flat, comfortable neutral shoes to aggressively downturned shoes for steep, technical climbing. Fit is snug by design, and the right shoe depends on the climber's level and the type of climbing.
A climbing harness is a piece of equipment worn around the waist and thighs that secures a climber to the rope and belay system, distributing the force of a fall or hang across the body. Its key components are the waist belt, leg loops, tie-in points, belay loop, and gear loops. Harnesses vary by discipline — from padded sport/trad harnesses to minimalist alpine and gym models.
Belaying is the technique of managing the climbing rope to protect a climber from a fall. The belayer uses a friction device, or a body-based method, to control the rope so that if the climber slips, the rope can be locked off to arrest the fall and hold their weight. It is the most fundamental safety system in roped climbing.
A quickdraw is a piece of climbing gear made of two carabiners joined by a sewn fabric sling (the dogbone), used by a lead climber to connect the rope to a bolt or other protection. The top carabiner clips the protection and the bottom carabiner takes the rope, allowing the rope to run freely while catching a fall. Correct clipping technique is essential to safety.
Bouldering is a form of climbing performed on short walls or rock formations without a rope or harness, typically no higher than about 4–5 metres, with crash pads and spotters for protection. It distils climbing down to short, powerful sequences called problems, and is the most accessible and social way to start climbing.
Rock climbing is the sport and activity of ascending rock faces using hands, feet, and body movement, with the discipline split by how the climber is protected from a fall. Its main styles are bouldering (rope-free over pads), sport climbing (clipping bolts), traditional climbing (placing removable gear), and top-roping (rope anchored above). Difficulty is described by grading systems.
A carabiner is a metal loop with a spring-loaded gate used to quickly and securely connect components of a climbing system, from ropes and slings to belay devices and anchors. Modern climbing carabiners are made of lightweight aluminium, rated for thousands of pounds of force, and come in locking and non-locking versions and several shapes.
The clove hitch is a simple, fast, and easily adjustable hitch used in climbing to attach the rope to a carabiner — most often when clipping into an anchor. Its great advantage is that it can be tied with one hand and adjusted for length without unclipping, letting a climber fine-tune their distance to an anchor quickly. It must be tied correctly and kept loaded to stay secure.
