Study guides · Stuff Every Climbing Scout Should Know
Practice facts for the Climbing merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Climbing Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Short answer: Anticipate and help prevent them
Good risk management starts by anticipating hazards and preventing them before climbing, then mitigating and responding if needed.
Groan of the day: Don't take hazards for granite.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Climbing with a rope fixed at the top
In top-rope climbing the rope is already secured at the top, so a fall simply hangs on the rope.
Groan of the day: Top rope, top hope.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Climbing boulders or small outcrops without ropes
Bouldering means ascending boulders or small outcrops without artificial aids or rope protection.
Groan of the day: Boulder decisions need spotting.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Climbing with permanent fixed bolts for protection
Sport climbing uses permanent fixed bolts for protection while climbing, not as aid to pull on.
Groan of the day: Bolt for safety, not for speed.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Climbing with removable protection placed by the climber
Traditional climbers place removable protection as they ascend, and the second climber removes it.
Groan of the day: Place protection, not blame.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Climbing with no protection at all
Free soloing uses no artificial aids and no protection, so any fall could be fatal.
Groan of the day: Solo means no rope, no joke.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Using artificial devices to help ascend
Aid climbing uses artificial aids like aiders and pitons to assist in ascending a route.
Groan of the day: Aid is not a grade of lemonade.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: To find wear or damage
Inspecting a rope helps you find wear or damage that could make it unsafe to use.
Groan of the day: A good rope inspection is knot optional.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Grapevine knot
The double fisherman's knot is also known as the grapevine knot.
Groan of the day: Double the knot, double the fun.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Weather, visibility, and surface condition
Safety evaluation includes weather, visibility, the condition of the climbing surface, and environmental hazards.
Groan of the day: Look before you rock.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Know how to summon aid and needed medical training
Remote climbing requires a plan to summon aid and knowing what medical training the group needs.
Groan of the day: Plan aid before you need aid.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Store it properly
Proper storage of rope, hardware, and gear helps keep equipment safe and ready for use.
Groan of the day: Store it right, climb light.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Know first aid and prevention steps
Climbers should know first aid and prevention for insect bites and stings.
Groan of the day: Don't let bugs bug you.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: A route that is one rope length
Single pitch climbing refers to routes that are one rope length, up to about 50 metres.
Groan of the day: One pitch, no glitch.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: A standardized artificial wall with a top rope
Competition speed climbing uses a standardized artificial wall with a top rope.
Groan of the day: Speed climb, safety rhyme.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Head impacts from falls or falling objects
A helmet shields your head from impacts, such as hitting rock or being struck by falling gear.
Groan of the day: Stay ahead of the game, wear your helmet.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: To attach the rope safely to your body
A harness gives a secure, comfortable way to tie in and connect to the belay system.
Groan of the day: A good harness takes the load off your mind.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Protecting hands from rope friction and abrasion
Gloves help protect hands from rope friction and abrasion during climbing and rappelling.
Groan of the day: Gloves give your hands a hand.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Partner safety checks before climbing
The CHECK system is a partner check to confirm gear and setup are safe before climbing.
Groan of the day: Check twice, climb nice.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: It controls the rope to protect the climber
A belayer manages the rope so a fall is caught, protecting the climber or rappeller.
Groan of the day: A good belay makes a good day.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: To assist if the main belayer needs help
A backup belayer stands ready to help control the rope if the primary belayer has trouble.
Groan of the day: Two belayers are better than one.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: To clearly communicate safety commands
Verbal signals let climber, belayer, and rappeller confirm what each is doing, reducing mistakes.
Groan of the day: Say it loud, climb proud.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Coordinating a safe spot during a boulder problem
Boulderers and spotters communicate so the spotter can help guide a falling climber safely.
Groan of the day: Spot on, spotter.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: A climbing rope suited to the activity
Climbing and rappelling require proper climbing rope, not improvised cord or line.
Groan of the day: Rope for the slope.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Keep it away from sharp edges and abrasion
Protecting rope from sharp edges, abrasion, and harsh conditions helps it last and stay safe.
Groan of the day: Treat your rope like a friend.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: When it shows wear or damage beyond safe use
Ropes should be retired when inspection shows wear or damage that makes them unsafe.
Groan of the day: Retire the rope, keep the hope.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: To store it neatly and prevent tangles
Coiling keeps rope organized, prevents tangles, and helps protect it during storage.
Groan of the day: Coil it neat, climb complete.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Creating a secure loop in the rope
A figure eight on a bight forms a strong loop that can be used in climbing systems.
Groan of the day: Loop it right, climb light.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Gripping a rope as a friction hitch
A prusik hitch grips the rope and can be used in climbing and rescue systems.
Groan of the day: Prusik grips, nobody slips.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Ties the rope securely to a harness
The figure eight follow-through is a standard knot for tying a climbing rope to a harness.
Groan of the day: Follow through, climb true.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Directly with a proper climbing knot
The belay rope should be tied directly to the harness using a correct, secure climbing knot.
Groan of the day: Tie in tight, climb right.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Controls friction as you descend the rope
A rappel device, attached with a carabiner, adds friction to control your descent.
Groan of the day: Rappel well, descend swell.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Weather affects safety and climbing conditions
Weather is part of evaluating a climbing area's safety and can affect visibility and conditions.
Groan of the day: Check the sky before you fly.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Poor visibility can make climbing unsafe
Visibility is part of evaluating safety, since poor visibility can make climbing and communication unsafe.
Groan of the day: See clearly, climb dearly.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: To protect the outdoors while climbing
Leave No Trace principles help climbers minimize their impact on the natural environment.
Groan of the day: Leave no trace, keep the place.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Clothing should allow easy, entanglement free movement
Proper dress supports easy movement, avoids entanglement, and gives weather protection and comfort.
Groan of the day: Dress for the climb, every time.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: To stay comfortable and safe in changing conditions
Good weather protection and comfort help climbers handle changing conditions safely.
Groan of the day: Weather the weather, climb together.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: By grading systems for climbs
Climbs are classified using difficulty grading systems that describe how hard a route is.
Groan of the day: Grade the climb, every time.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: Climbing while clipping protection as you go up
Lead climbing involves ascending while attaching the rope to protection along the route.
Groan of the day: Lead the way, clip and play.
Sources: Scouting America: Climbing
Short answer: A route that takes many rope lengths
Multi-pitch climbing involves routes that are many rope lengths long, sometimes up to 1,000 metres.
Groan of the day: Many pitches, many riches.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Hillwalking
Scrambling involves climbing rocky faces and ridges and is considered part of hillwalking.
Groan of the day: Scramble up, don't ramble up.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Fixed steel cables, rungs, and ladders
Via ferrata routes use previously installed fixed steel cables, metal rungs, and ladders.
Groan of the day: Via ferrata, climb much farther.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Ice axes and crampons
Ice climbing uses equipment such as ice axes and crampons on frozen water ice or hard snow.
Groan of the day: Ice is nice with the right device.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Climbing routes with both rock and ice
Mixed climbing uses ice climbing equipment on routes that have both rock and ice.
Groan of the day: Rock and ice, doubly nice.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Free soloing where a fall lands in safe water
Deep-water soloing is free soloing where a fall results in landing in safe water.
Groan of the day: Splash down, no frown.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Bouldering on very tall boulders where falls can be serious
Highball bouldering involves very tall boulders, up to about 10 metres, where a fall could be serious.
Groan of the day: Highball, don't fall.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: An artificial bolted sport climbing route
Competition lead climbing is performed on an artificial bolted sport climbing route.
Groan of the day: Lead the pack, don't look back.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: A selection of artificial bouldering routes
Competition bouldering takes place on a selection of artificial bouldering routes.
Groan of the day: Boulder strong, all day long.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Climbing the exterior of buildings
Buildering means ascending the exterior skeletons of buildings, typically without protective equipment.
Groan of the day: Buildering is not for the timid.
Sources: Climbing
Short answer: Climbing along canyons for sport or recreation
Canyoneering is climbing along canyons for sport or recreation.
Groan of the day: Canyon crawl, have a ball.
Sources: Climbing
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Anticipate and help prevent them. Good risk management starts by anticipating hazards and preventing them before climbing, then mitigating and responding if needed.
Know how to summon aid and needed medical training. Remote climbing requires a plan to summon aid and knowing what medical training the group needs.
To assist if the main belayer needs help. A backup belayer stands ready to help control the rope if the primary belayer has trouble.
Directly with a proper climbing knot. The belay rope should be tied directly to the harness using a correct, secure climbing knot.
Hillwalking. Scrambling involves climbing rocky faces and ridges and is considered part of hillwalking.
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