page_title: Glossary of climbing terms
section_title: S
hierarchical_section_title: Glossary of climbing terms / S
caption_attribution_description: English: Bouldering in Coopers Rock
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: saddle
  A high pass between two peaks, larger than a col.
  sandbag
  A climb which receives a much lower grade than deserved. Also used as a verb when referring to the act of describing a climbing route as easier than it actually is.
  Sardar
  Head Sherpa mountain guide.
  'scend
  A contraction of the word ascend, past tense 'scended. See also send.
  scrambling
  A type of climbing somewhere between hiking and graded rock climbing.
  screamer
  A nylon webbing structure consisting of one large loop sewn in multiple places to make a shorter length. The stitch-points are intentionally sewn with less than maximum possible strength. The screamer is attached with carabiners between an anchor point, particularly one of dubious strength, and the climber. In the event of a fall the stitching of the sewn sections is designed to rip apart, absorbing some of the fall energy and decelerating the climber, thereby reducing the overall shock load on the dubious anchor. Screamer is a brand name of Yates Mountaineering.
  scree
  Small, loose, broken rocks, often at the base of a cliff; also any area or slope covered in such rocks. Scree is distinguished from talus by its smaller size and looser configuration.
  screw on
  A small climbing hold screwed onto the wall in a climbing gym. Can be used for feet in a route regardless of its colour.
  second
  A climber who follows the lead, or first, climber.
  self-arrest
  The act of planting the pick of an ice axe into the snow to arrest a fall in the event of a slip. Also a method of stopping in a controlled glissade.
  send
  To cleanly complete a route, i.e. on-sight, flash, or redpoint. See also 'scend.
  serac
  A large tower of ice on the surface of a glacier.
  SERENE
  An acronym for the important points to consider when building anchors. The acronym stands for Strong, Equalised, Redundant, Efficient, No Extension. See also ERNEST.
  sewing-machine leg
  The involuntary vibration of one or both legs resulting from fatigue or panic. Can often be remedied by bringing the heel of the offending leg down, changing the muscles used to support the weight of the climber.
  sharp end
  The end of the belay rope that is attached to the lead climber. "Being on the sharp end" refers to the act of lead climbing, which is considered more psychologically demanding than top-roping or following, since it may involve more route-finding, as well as the possibility of longer, more consequential falls.
  Sherpa
  A person of the ethnic group of the same name that is located in the Himalaya Mountains. Also a generic term for mountaineering porters in Nepal (usually those working at or above base camp), regardless of their ethnic group.
  short fixing
  A traditionally belayed lead climber reaches a new belay station and creates an anchor, tying the lead rope off to the anchor. The climber then switches over to self-belaying and continues to climb. Meanwhile, the second climber ascends the fixed rope using ascenders (a.k.a. "jugging") and cleans the pitch. When the second reaches the belay, he or she anchors in and starts to belay the leader in the traditional way again. When the leader reaches the next belay the process is repeated.
  side pull
  A hold that needs to be gripped with a sideways pull towards the body.
  simul climbing
  A technique in which two climbers move simultaneously upward, with the leader placing protection which the second removes as they advance. A device known as a Tibloc which allows the rope to only move in a single direction is sometimes used to prevent the second climber from accidentally pulling the lead climber off should the second slip.
  single-rope technique (SRT)
  The use of a single rope where one or both ends of the rope are attached to fixed anchor points.
  sit and spin
  A method of starting a rappel from a cliff edge, accomplished by sitting with legs over the edge and then spinning around to face the cliff while planting feet on the face.
  sit start
  Starting a climb from a position in which the climber is sitting on the floor. This is common in climbing gyms in order to fit an extra move into the climb. Noted as SS or SDS in some topo gu
caption: Side pull
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