Climbing Terms Glossary

copperhead

A copperhead is a small nut with a head made of soft metal on a loop of wire, originally copper or brass, also aluminium used as protection in aid climbing. Copperheads are typically placed into small shallow seams and crevices by pounding or hammering them into place. The malleability of the soft metal head makes copperheads conform to the rock and grip better than other devices, and are often the only protection that will stay fixed in many placements. See also bashie.

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