09/30/2026
If you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to add a few more words to your climbing vocabulary 🧗♀️
Here are 5 intermediate climbing terms you’ll want to know:
🔒Lock-off: bend your arm and hold your body in place while reaching with the other hand.
🪑Layback: pull against a hold with an almost straight arm while pushing your feet in the opposite direction.
🤚Hand jam: wedge your hand into a crack, twist it into place, and use it to pull yourself up.
🦶Smear: use the rubber on the bottom of your climbing shoe against the wall instead of standing on an actual hold.
🙌Gaston: pull outward on a hold while pushing your body in the opposite direction - basically like opening an elevator door.
Save this for your next session and see how many you can spot on the wall 👀