page_title: Glossary of climbing terms
section_title: B
hierarchical_section_title: Glossary of climbing terms / B
caption_attribution_description: English: Big Buttress, East Face, Sarclet This buttress has some of the best climbing on the part of the coast. The route Sarclet Pimpernel takes the wall to the left of the arete at a stiff Hard Very Severe and is one of the best single pitch climbs at this grade on a Scottish sea cliff.
context_page_description: This glossary of climbing terms is a list of definitions of terms and jargon related to rock climbing and mountaineering. The specific terms used can vary considerably between different English-speaking countries; many of the phrases described here are particular to the United States and the United Kingdom.
context_section_description: "B"-grade
  A grading system for bouldering problems, invented by John Gill. Now largely superseded by the "V" grading system.
  Bachar ladder
  A piece of training equipment used to improve campusing and core strength.
  back-clipping
  A potentially hazardous mistake that can be made while lead climbing, whereby the rope is clipped into a quickdraw such that the leader's end runs underneath the quickdraw as opposed to over the top of it. If the leader falls, the rope may fold directly over the gate, causing it to open and release the rope from the carabiner.
  back-step
  Stepping on a hold in such a way that the outside edge (little toe side) of a shoe touches the rock, while the hips are turned to the side in such a way that the outside of a hip faces into the rock.
  bail
  To retreat from a climb.
  ball nut
  A type of aid protection consisting of a nut and a movable ball.
  barn-door
  If all points of contact a climber has with the wall are on a straight axis, or close to it, their body may be vulnerable to swinging uncontrollably downward around this axis, like a door on a hinge.
  bashie
  A copperhead intended for pounding into a crack.
  belay
  To protect a roped climber from falling by passing the rope through, or around, any type of friction-enhancing belay device. Before belay devices were invented, the rope was often simply passed around the belayer's hips to create friction.
  belay device
  A mechanical device used to create friction when belaying by putting bends in the rope. Many different types of belay device exist, including ATCs, grigris, Reversos, Sticht plates, eights, and tubers. Some belay devices may also be used as a descender. A Munter hitch can sometimes be used instead of a belay device.
  belay loop
  The strongest point on a climbing harness; the loop to which a belay device is physically attached. The belay loop will wear more quickly if anything is tied around the belay loop such as a daisy chain or sling.
  belay off
  Called out by a belayer to confirm that the friction or pressure of belaying has been removed from a climbing rope. It is a standard response to a climber's "off belay" request.
  belay on
  Called out by a belayer to confirm that the friction or pressure of belaying has been (re)applied to a climbing rope. It is a standard response to a climber's "on belay" request.
  belay station
  The place from which a belayer is belaying, while anchored to the ground, the rock, or other objects.
  benightment
  An unplanned overnight bivouac, often due to an epic.
  bergschrund
  A crevasse that forms on the upper portion of a glacier where the moving section pulls away from the headwall.
  beta
  Advice, tips, or general information on how to successfully complete (or protect) a particular climbing route, boulder problem, or crux sequence. Some climbing purists believe that obtaining beta prior to attempting a route "taints" an ascent.
  beta flash
  The clean ascent of a climb on the first attempt, having previously obtained beta or while having beta shouted up from the ground en route. Also see on-sight.
  bicycle
  A technique used to keep the feet on when climbing on overhangs. One foot is placed on a foothold and the other foot is placed behind the foothold in a toe hook position. The climber can now squeeze the hold between the feet.
  bidoigt
  (French for "two fingers") A climbing hold, typically a pocket or hueco, that has enough room for two fingers. See also mono.
  big wall
  Any climb on which most climbing parties will spend more than one day. "Big wall style" generally refers to hauling the needed gear (food, water, sleeping bags) in a haul bag (rather than carrying the gear on one's person) and raising the haul bag between pitches.
  biner
  See carabiner.
  bivouac
  A camp, or the act of camping, overnight while still on a climbing route off the ground. May involve nothing more than lying down or sitting on a rock ledge without any sleeping gear. When there is no rock ledge available, such as on a sheer vertical wall, a portaledge that hangs from anchors on the wall can be used.
  bivy-bag
  A lightweight garment or sack offering full-body protection 
caption: Big buttress, Scottish sea coast
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