Association of British Climbing Walls
The Association of British Climbing Walls (ABC) gives environmental health officers, insurers and climbing wall users the confidence that the highest standards of safety are practised at member walls. White Spider Climbing are proud to be a XXX Member
Association of British Climbing WallsView Details
Auto Belay
an automatic belay device that eliminates the need for a human belayer. The auto belay takes up the slack as a climber ascends and safely controls the descent when the climber lets go or falls.
Belay Device
This equipment enables the rope to be secured (locked off) or loosened (when giving slack or lowering off) as necessary while the climber is on the wall. These come in a number of different forms – we don't mind which you use as long as YOU know how to use it and it's in good working order!
Belay/Belaying
Belaying someone essentially means managing their rope while they climb. This includes everything from taking rope in as they ascend, slowly lowering them back down to the ground again, or providing more rope or 'slack' while lead climbing. As the rope helps protect any falls, this is a vital part of climbing requiring experience and attention. Anyone climbing here with us without instructor supervision will be tested on their belaying before being signed off to climb.
Beta
Advice on how to successfully complete (or protect) a particular climbing route, boulder problem, or crux sequence. Some climbers believe that beta 'taints' an ascent.
Bouldering
Is lower level climbing (maximum 5 metres) with no ropes or harnesses. While there is thick matting in the bouldering areas, falls are not as protected as roped climbing and greater caution is required.
British Mountaineering Council (BMC)
``The BMC recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.``
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/
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Campus Board
Training equipment used to build finger strength and strong arm lock-offs.
Chalk Bag
A hand-sized holder for a climber's chalk that is usually carried on a chalkbelt for easy access during a climb.
Crag
A small area with climbing routes, often just a small cliff face or a few boulders.
Crimp
A hold which is only just big enough to be grasped with the tips of the fingers.
Crux
The most difficult portion of a climb.
Cup
A hand grip which is squeezed, over the top or around the side, between the fingers and palm, forming a cup shape with the hand, or applying this type of hold on any protrusion or feature. More commonly known as guppy.
Finger Board
Training equipment used to build finger strength.
Flash
To successfully and cleanly complete a climbing route on the first attempt after having received beta of some form. Also refers to an ascent of this type. For ascents on the first attempt without receiving beta see on-sight.
Flat Lander
Non-climber.
Free Solo
Climbing without aid or protection. This typically means climbing without a rope. Risky.
Grade
Intended as an objective measure of the technical difficulty of a particular climb or bouldering problem.
Grigri
A belay device designed to be easy to use and safer for beginners because it is assisted-braking under load. Invented and manufactured by Petzl. Many experienced climbers advocate the use of an atc type device for beginners.
Gripped
Scared. Also over gripping the rock.
Hold
A place to temporarily cling, grip, jam, press, or stand in the process of climbing.
Karabiner
This piece of kit is used as part of belaying and is a crucial piece of climbing equipment. It is essentially a strong clip.
Lead Climbing
When leading, climbers clip the rope into fixed points in the wall as they climb up. This is more technical, requiring a bit more skill and experience than Top Roping.
On-sight
A clean ascent, with no prior practice or beta. For ascents on the first attempt with receiving beta see flash.
Project
An established route or bouldering problem that an individual is repeatedly attempting to ascend over a period of time, but has not been successfully been sent by that climber. Sometimes slang in the form proj.
Route Setting
one of the most important aspects of any climbing wall, the blend of creative, technical and physical abilities required to set quality routes
Top Rope Cimbing
Involves climbing while tied into a rope fixed to the top of the wall.
Volume
A large, hollow bolted-on bouldering hold.
