Cam Generic term for a spring loaded camming device. Examples include WC Technical Friends or Black Diamond Camalots Camming Method by which Friends and Hexes grip the rock. As weight is applied then an outward pressure is generated by the device which grips the rock. This is usually generated by rotation of all or part of the Hex or Friend. Campus Board A wooden training board found at climbing walls to improve finger strength. Carabineer American spelling for a karabiner Chalk Used by many climbers to improve the friction between the hands and the rock or wall. Chest Harness Extension to waist harness to provide a higher tie in point. Useful when wanting to avoid inverting in a fall. An example of this would be glacier travel when wearing a rucksack, where a fall into a crevasse could result in the rucksack turning you upside down. Something which is less than desirable! Chimney A wide crack which a climber can fit inside. Requires special climbing techniques such as bridging or back and foot. Chockstone A stone wedged into a crack. Can be any size from a small pebble to a huge boulder in a chimney. Chute A very steep gully. A very common site for rock fall so beware! Cirque French for corrie Classic Abseil An abseil performed without a descender by wrapping the rope around the body to cause friction. Only used as a last resort as can be very uncomfortable! Clean To climb a traditional route without falling or an aid route without the use of a hammer or To remove protection, loose rock or plant life from a route to make it easier or safer to climb Cliff A vertical section of rock Clip The action of attaching the rope to a piece of protection, usually through a quickdraw or karabiner. Clove Hitch An easily adjustable knot. Useful for attaching the rope to a karabiner Col A pass high in the mountains Cord Thin static rope (less than 7mm diameter). Often used to make prusik loops Corner The opposite to an arête, similar in appearance to the inside of the spine of an open book. Corrie A dead end valley situated high on the mountain side. Usually has steep sides and attracts and holds snow during the winter Coulior A steep gully which could contain snow or ice. A very common place for stone fall in the alps. Crack A split or fissure in the rock. Horizontal versions are commonly referred to as breaks. Wide cracks are otherwise known as chimneys or offwidths Crag An outcrop of rock on which climbing takes place. Crampons Pointy footwear attached to boots to allow an individual to walk or climb ice Crank To pull on a hold as hard as possible Crest The top of a ridge or arête Crevasse A crack within a glacier. Can be near or on the surface and as such a danger to climbers. Can range from a few inches to tens of metres deep! Crimp A very small hold - the kind I avoid! Crux The harness moves or move on a route. Usually described by the technical grade on a UK traditional climb Cwm Welsh spelling for corrie