Climbing is not only about reaching the top of a climb, but also about how you do it. Since the 1970's, when Kurt Albert introduced the term red point (see definition below), many more ascent styles (here called tick types) were defined.
The main reason behind the different tick types is to compare the quality (and difficulty) of different ascents. For example, it is obvious to most climbers that an onsight of a route has more merit than a redpoint of the same route or that it is easier to climb a route with pre-clipped draws than climbing it while placing them (for more details read about grade shifts for different tick types).
Some of the tick types evolved regionally, others are bound to specific gear styles. As always, theCrag tries to reflect the realities encountered in the world of climbing and thus gives you a great choice of tick types to choose from while emphasising the most common ones.
At theCrag we are also aware that the consistency of historically evolved tick types is not the best. For example, while some part of the climbing community uses a tick type for a red point with pre-clipped gear (pink point), there is no such distinction for onsight or flash ascents. Also, new developments in climbing (e.g. the use of knee-pads or crack gloves) frequently lead to discussions about the comparability of ascents. theCrag allows you to record these nuances when logging ascents while using the well established tick types.
The definition for the different tick types is given in the following table. Be aware that not every tick type can be applied to every gear style.
| Image | Name | Style | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
Lead ascentsBack to contentsThe following ascent types are applied in lead climbing which includes sport climbing, traditional climbing, ice climbing and deep water soloing.
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| Onsight | I led this route, without falling or resting, on my first attempt without prior inspection or beta. | ||
| Flash | I led this route, without falling or resting, on my first attempt, but used prior inspection and/or beta. | ||
| Red point | I led this route, without falling or resting, but not on my first attempt (incl. repeats). | ||
| Pink point | I led this route, without falling or resting, but not on my first attempt, using pre-placed gear (incl. repeats). | ||
| Green point onsight | I onsighted a sport route using trad gear. theCrag considers this as an ascent of a trad route. | ||
| Green point flash | I flashed a sport route using trad gear. theCrag considers this as an ascent of a trad route. | ||
| Green point | I led a sport route with only trad gear. theCrag considers this as an ascent of a trad route. | ||
| Hang dog | I led this route, but rested on gear or fell on the way up. Typically used for failed attempts climbed to the top. | ||
| All free with rest | I climbed this route all free but had a rest or a fall. This should only be used in certain regions where it is an acceptable style (e.g in Saxony). Otherwise consider using Hang dog. | ||
| Ground up red point | I redpointed this route, and on all prior failed attempts I immediately lowered and pulled the rope without working, resting or inspection (including on abseil) after each failed attempt. | ||
| Lead solo | I led this route, using a lead solo device, anchor rope at the bottom. | ||
Bouldering ascentsBack to contentsThe following ascent types are applied in bouldering.
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| Onsight | I completed this boulder on my first attempt without prior inspection or beta. Rarely used in bouldering | ||
| Flash | I completed this boulder on my first attempt but used prior inspection and/or beta. | ||
| Send | I completed this boulder cleanly, but after prior attempts. | ||
| Repeat | I have done this route before. | ||
| Dab | I completed this boulder but touched the ground or a person during the ascent. | ||
Top roping ascentsBack to contentsThe following ascent types are applied in top rope climbing.
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| Onsight | I top-roped this route, without falling or resting, on my first attempt without prior inspection or beta. | ||
| Flash | I top-roped this route, without falling or resting, on my first attempt, but used prior inspection and/or beta. | ||
| Clean | I top-roped this route, without falling or resting, but not on my first attempt (incl. repeats). | ||
| Hang dog | I top-roped this route, but rested or fell on the way up. Typically used for failed attempts climbed to the top. | ||
| Roped Solo | I top-roped this route by myself using the rope, set up from above, to self belay. | ||
Seconding ascentsBack to contentsThe following ascent types are applied when seconding, for example in multi-pitch climbing.
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| Onsight | I seconded this route, without falling or resting, on my first attempt without prior inspection or beta. | ||
| Flash | I seconded this route, without falling or resting, on my first attempt, but used prior inspection and/or beta. | ||
| Clean | I seconded this route, without falling or resting, but not on my first attempt (incl. repeats). | ||
| Hang dog | I seconded this route, but rested or fell on the way up. Typically used for failed attempts climbed to the top. | ||
Aid ascentsBack to contentsThe following ascent types are applied in aid climbing.
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| Onsight | I aided this route, without resting, on my first attempt without prior inspection or beta. | ||
| Flash | I aided this route, without resting, on my first attempt, but used prior inspection and/or beta. | ||
| Tick | I aided this route, using fixed or placed protection to make upward progress. | ||
| Aid solo | I soloed this route, using fixed or placed protection to make upward progress. | ||
Free Solo ascentsBack to contentsThe following ascent types are applied in free soloing.
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| Onsight | I free soloed this route, without falling or resting, on my first attempt without prior inspection or beta. | ||
| Flash | I free soloed this route, without falling or resting, on my first attempt, but used prior inspection and/or beta. | ||
| Red point | I free soloed this route, without falling or resting, but not on my first attempt (incl. repeats). | ||
Attempted ascentsBack to contentsThe following ascent types are applied across all types of climbing for attempts or when working a climb.
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| Working | I am working on this route or problem as a personal project. | ||
| Attempt | I attempted, but did not complete, this route. | ||
| Retreat | I attempted this route but retreated (e.g. too hard, weather turned, not enough gear, injury). | ||
General ascentsBack to contents |
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| Tick | I climbed this route. Use for alpine routes, aid climbing, via ferratas or if you don’t remember how you climbed a route. | ||