Speak Climber: Intermediate Climbing Vocabulary
For climbers who’ve chalked up more than a few sessions
You've been climbing for a couple of months now. Your hands are tougher, your confidence is growing, and you're starting to feel like you belong at the gym. But there’s still one thing you might be missing: the lingo.
This guide will help you get familiar with some of the most common climbing terms you’ll hear from more experienced climbers. Understanding these words will help you get more out of your sessions—and sound like you’ve been climbing for way longer than two months.
🔴 Redpoint
What it means: To climb a route cleanly from start to finish—no falls, no takes—after working on it.
Why it matters: It’s a milestone. You’ve put in the effort, dialed in the beta, and now you’re sealing the deal.
✅ Send
What it means: To complete a climb from bottom to top without falling.
How it sounds: “She just sent her first V4!” or “Time to send it!”
🧠 Beta
What it means: Info or advice about how to do a climb—like what hold to grab or which foot to lead with.
Pro tip: Always ask if someone wants beta before giving it. Nobody likes spray beta unless they ask.
🥵 Pumped
What it means: That burning, brick-like feeling in your forearms when you’ve been climbing too long without a break.
How to fix it: Shake out mid-route, breathe, and rest more often.
🧼 Sloper
What it means: A smooth, rounded hold that you have to palm instead of grip. No edges here.
Reality check: Slopers will either humble you—or make you stronger.
🔺 Arete
What it means: The outer corner or edge of a wall that can be used as part of a route.
Example: “That problem finishes on the arete.”
🧗 Crux
What it means: The hardest part of a route. It could be one move or a whole sequence.
Pro tip: Save some gas for the crux if it’s near the top.
🔁 Flash / Onsight / Project
Flash: First try with beta.
Onsight: First try with no prior info or falls (rare and impressive).
Project: A climb you’re working on but haven’t completed yet.
✋ Jug
What it means: A big, comfy hold you can really hang onto. The best kind of hold when you’re pumped.
Climber slang: “It’s all jugs. You’ll love it.”
🤸♀️ Dyno
What it means: A dynamic move where you jump to a hold instead of reaching for it.
Use with caution: Dynos are fun—but they’re not always the smoothest landing.
You’re not a beginner anymore.
These terms will become second nature as you climb more. Whether you’re swapping beta, projecting your first V5, or shouting “SEND IT!” from across the gym, this is your next step toward feeling like a true climber.