By now you’ve learned belay commands and cool climbing lingo like crux, stem, and beta. Maybe you’ve even gotten into advanced climber lingo with phrases like venga, double gaston, or jug-haul. But did you know climbers have an even more secret language? A way of communicating to other climbers in such a subtle way that only the most observant and “in the know” climbers can understand. And it often involves more than just words— it’s body language, clothing choices, or gear setup that manages to speak volumes—usually trying to communicate either “I’m new at this” or, “I’m definitely not new at this!” Before heading to the crag or gym, bone up on the super secret language of climbing lingo.
Climbing with shoes untied
Everyone has seen a climber cruising a route with their climbing shoes untied or unfastened. This climber wants you to know one of two things about them. First, that this route is not that hard for them and they’re just warming up. And/or that they wear such tight shoes that they only tie/fasten them when a route is truly difficult for them. So this route, again, is not that hard for them. They can seriously climb way harder.
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Multiple belay cards attached to their harness
There are lots of options here, and the intricacy of what they mean is complex. Many climber’s may not even know what they are communicating through their belay card wearing habits. Try and keep up:
Top-rope belay card only: I’m new at this. But I’m excited to not be relegated to the bouldering area only.
Top-rope + lead belay card: Even if you see me top-roping, you should probably know that I can also lead. I’m probably just warming up over here with the newbies in the top-rope section.
More than two belay cards, from multiple different gyms: I only climb inside, but I climb more than you and in different gyms. I’m an experienced indoor climber, but I definitely don’t climb outside.
Belay cards on harness while climbing outside: This is my first time climbing outside.
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Wearing all new climbing gear and clothing
You’re either a newb with too much money, or you’re sponsored. Everyone will find out which once you get on the wall.
PAS, prusik, or nut tool on harness while climbing inside
This climber wants you to know they climb outside. And they might possibly actually know how to use some of the gear they’re carrying. Or they just bought it at REI because the salesperson told them to and they saw other climber’s with it. But don’t confuse them with the other gym-only climbers here, they’re real climbers. Bonus “noob” points if their PAS is worn “Brazilian style”—attached to the belay loop, back through the legs, and connected to the back of their harness.
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Belaying by any other method than PBUS
Alternating left and right brake hand, sliding the brake hand above the belay device. There are tons of ways to belay other than the tried and true standard of PBUS. The difficult part with this one is that the climber is either demonstrating their extensive climbing experience, or their total lack of. Hopefully an employee or concerned climber can tell the difference before someone hits the deck.
Wearing a harness while bouldering
You might as well be wearing a sign that says “This is literally my first time climbing ever.” And if it’s a rental harness than the sign is flashing in neon.
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Talking about (or wearing swag from) a climbing area that’s not nearby
Talking about the local crag obviously communicates you climb outside. Good for you. But mentioning a climbing area not nearby shows you’re a pretty intense climber. I mean, you’ve traveled in order to climb. The further away the better. And you get climbing lingo bonus points for using the shorthand name like “The Red” or “J-Tree.” Double bonus for referring to an area by the local pizza place instead of the actual crag name. And triple bonus if you mention you were living in a van at the time.
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Wearing socks with climbing shoes
Come on. With rental shoes, maybe. I mean who knows who wore those before you. But with non-rental shoes, you better be climbing a gnarly crack if you’re wearing socks with your climbing shoes. Or be climbing in freezing weather. Otherwise this is another dead giveaway that you are in fact, new at this.
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Wearing no shoes while climbing
These climbers are just too cool for school. Obviously the expert in the gym, because they don’t even need shoes to climb! In fact, they like greasing up holds even more just to provide a better challenge! But seriously, please, always wear SOME KIND of shoes to climb, respect the gym and the other climbers and don’t put your sweaty feet on the holds, indoors or outdoors!
Using a full strength carabiner to hang your chalk bag off your harnesses’ haul loop
How much chalk are you putting in your chalk bag that you need a full strength climbing carabiner to hold it? Seriously there’s a reason chalk bags come with belts. Unless you have a +5 ape index, a chalk bag off your haul loop with a full-size carabiner is gonna hang way too low to comfortably and easily get chalk. Use the included belt, or make your own from some thin cord. And use that carabiner somewhere it’s actually necessary. Another secret climbing lingo indication that tells everyone you’re a newb.
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Climbing lingo…get it right
Like all of life, climbing is full of subtle communication. And like in life we generally use it to make snap judgements about others so we can feel better about our own social standing and skill. But seriously, knowing someone is a newb doesn’t give you license to be an asshole. An experienced asshole is far worse than a clueless newb. And as for ways to show others you’re more experienced? Seriously no one cares, and if they do, they probably fall into the “being an asshole to newbs” category. So, now that you know the secret language of climbers, realize that it really doesn’t matter. Just get out there and climb. But also, seriously, no more socks with climbing shoes.
Any climbing lingo we left out? Something you see at your gym that would fit here? Let us know in the comments below!
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