Climbing glossary
47 terms you will hear at The Crux, explained by the people who use them. Beta, crimp, dyno, flapper, sloper, volume - if somebody said it at the wall and you nodded along, it is in here.
Arete
In indoor climbing, this is the corner of two walls which can be used as a hold while climbing. You may see 'No Arete' tags, which means the corner cannot be used as a hold on that particular climb, if there isn't a 'No Arete' tag you can use it!
Barn door
A climber swinging off the wall like a door on a hinge because of body positioning
Beta
Instructions or advice on how to complete a climb. Make sure to ask before giving people beta!
Bicycle
Squeezing a foothold between your feet on an overhang to keep both feet on the wall
Bump
When a hand is moved to one hold, then moved straight up to the next hold. The first hold is usually bad and only used as an intermediate to the better hold
Burly
A climb involving big powerful moves which need a lot of strength
Campus
Climbing without using feet. Looks cool but not the most efficient way to climb!
Crimp
A hold which is only big enough to be gripped with the fingertips. Gripping these holds is called crimping!
Crux
The hardest section of a climb
Cut-loose
Where a climber's feet come away from the wall on an overhang so that they're left hanging on with just their hands
Dab
A bouldering term for accidentally touching the floor, a hold from another problem, or anything else which might help the climber complete the problem
Deadpoint
A movement in which a climber reaches for a hold at the end of their range of motion where at least one foot remains on the wall throughout
Downclimb
To climb down from the top of a problem using any holds (rather than jumping!)
Drop-knee
A move where one of the climber's knee is twisted inwards to reduce the strain on arms and increase reach
Dyno
A dynamic movement in which the climber has to jump and release all points of contact on the wall before catching a handhold.
Eliminate
Usually used in outdoor bouldering to prevent the use of certain holds in order to make a climb harder. Also used as a game indoors where some holds in a problem are eliminated to make it more difficult
Fist Bump
The best way to congratulate someone for sending a problem they've been working on!
Flagging
When a climber's leg is placed against the wall to maintain balance, but not bear weight - usually to stop a barn door!
Flapper
When a climber's finger or hand skin rips leaving a loose, flapping piece. Very sore, and best treated by clipping the loose skin off, taping over the affected area, and applying balm after the session. We have some samples at the counter!
Flash
Completing a climb on the first attempt. Woooo
Gaston
A type of grip on a hold where the climber pulls outwards with their elbow. Imagine opening an elevator door.
Hangboard
A piece of training equipment with a variety of edges used to train finger strength. We don't recommend using our hangboards until you've been climbing for a few months!
Heel hook
When a climber uses the back of their heel to put pressure on a foothold to pull themselves in closer to the wall or maintain balance
High ball
A taller than usual outdoor boulder problem. Imagine climbing double the height of our walls without a rope... yep some people do that!
Jug
A large hold which is nice and easy to grip
Knee Bar
Where the knee is jammed against a protruding feature on the wall to create pressure between the foot and knee. Usually used to let a climber rest their hands or to get extra leverage on a difficult section
Lock-off
Pulling on a hold until the arm is bent with hand close to shoulder, then holding that position using body tension
Mantel
A move used to climb onto a protruding ledge or the top of a boulder problem where the climber pushes down on top of the ledge before getting their feet onto it and standing up
Match
Using more than one limb on a single hold e.g. matching both hands on the same hold
Nails
A particularly hard problem, as in 'hard as nails'!
On-sight
Similar to a flash, but completing the climb on first attempt without receiving any beta beforehand. This term is not usually used for sport climbing more than bouldering.
Overhang
Any climb that is angled beyond vertical to the ground
Pinch
A type of hold which can be pinched between the thumb and fingers by the climber
Problem
A boulder problem - any short indoor or outdoor climb carried out without ropes
Project
A problem which has to be worked on over many attempts or sessions which is usually near a climber's limit of ability
Psyched
To be excited about climbing or a particular climb
Pumped
When the forearms get so tired that every hold feels hard
Rockover
Rocking the bodyweight onto a high foothold in order to push up with the leg to reach a high handhold
Roof
An overhang so steep that it is almost horizontal!
Send
To successfully complete a problem
Slab
A flat wall which is slightly leaning backwards from vertical.
Sloper
A hold which slopes with no real edge or incut to grab.
Smear
To use the sole of your climbing shoe for friction on a flat surface like the wall or a volume
Toe hook
When a climber pulls onto a protruding foot hold with the tops of their toes in order to keep their feet on and pull their body close to the wall
Undercling
A hold which is gripped with the palm facing upwards, usually requiring good body tension and arm strength. Underclings feel better the higher you get your feet!
Vert
A climbing wall which is more or less 90 degrees from the ground - basically vertical
Volume
A large feature bolted on to climbing walls to adapt the shape of the wall and make more varied problems possible - usually not counted as a 'hold' but can often be gripped or stood on to some extent. Here at The Crux you can use volumes to grab and stand on for all our climbs!
The Hold Bendigo Pty Ltd, ABN 62 656 244 683. Open Mon to Fri 10am - 10pm, Sat and Sun 9am - 8pm. Last updated 1 October 2026.