Climbers often use special terms that can confuse newcomers to the sport. One word that gets used a lot at climbing gyms and outdoor crags is “send.” New climbers might hear other people yelling this word or talking about their latest sends without understanding what it means.
Learning climbing vocabulary helps people communicate better with other climbers and understand what goals to set. The term “send” has a specific meaning in the climbing world that goes beyond just trying a route. It connects to how climbers measure their progress and celebrate their achievements on different types of climbs.
Key Takeaways
- “Send” is a common climbing term that describes completing a climbing route or problem
- Climbers use this word to talk about their accomplishments and encourage others during difficult climbs
- Understanding climbing terminology helps new climbers set goals and communicate with the climbing community
What Does Send Mean In Climbing?
Understanding the Climbing Term “Send”
The term “send” shows up often in climbing slang and has become one of the most common pieces of climbing lingo used today. Climbers use this word in different ways depending on the situation.
When someone yells “send it“ at the gym or crag, they are encouraging another climber to go for it and give their best effort. It works as a motivational phrase to push someone to try hard on a challenging route or problem.
The word also describes completing a climb from bottom to top without falling. When a climber says they “sent” a route, they mean they finished it cleanly in one attempt. This could be their first try or after many practice sessions.
Most climbers believe “send” comes from shortening the word “ascend.” The climbing community often creates simpler terms for common actions. Other examples include “pro” for protection gear and “rap” for rappelling.
Sending can refer to different types of successful climbs:
- Onsight sends – completing a route on the first try without any prior knowledge
- Redpoint sends – finishing a route after practicing it multiple times
- Flash sends – climbing a route successfully on the first attempt with some beta
The term works for all climbing styles, including bouldering, sport climbing, and traditional climbing. Climbers use “to send” when talking about any grade level, from easy routes to difficult projects.
What Qualifies As A Send In Climbing?
The climbing community debates what truly counts as a send. In sport climbing, some climbers believe a route only qualifies when completed on lead climbing without using top rope practice runs. Others accept top rope ascents as valid sends if the climber finishes without falling.
Bouldering has similar discussions among climbers. Strict climbers might only count on-sight or flash ascents as real sends. More relaxed climbers consider any successful completion a send, whether it took one attempt or multiple tries to work out the beta.
Different climbing styles have different standards:
- Lead climbing – Clipping quickdraws while ascending
- Top rope – Climbing with a rope already anchored above
- Redpoint – Completing a route after practice attempts
- On-sight – Climbing successfully on the first try without prior knowledge
The simple answer is that a send happens when a climber successfully completes a route or problem from bottom to top. Each climber can decide what counts as a personal achievement.
What Happens When You Don’t Send?
Rock climbing challenges everyone. Not every proj gets completed on the first try.
When a climber fails to send a route, they need to keep going. Taking a break helps process the disappointment. Then they get back on the wall and try again.
Projecting is a normal part of climbing. Most climbers need multiple attempts to complete difficult routes. Some pros spend months or even years working on a single proj. They train hard and stay focused until they finally send.
A whipper or failed attempt shouldn’t stop a climber from trying again. The crux section might need more practice. Sometimes a route just needs extra time and effort.
Climbers should stay pumped about their goals. Being kind to themselves matters. Every failed send teaches something new. The fun of climbing comes from the challenge itself, not just from completing routes.
Historic Climbing Achievements
Alex Honnold’s El Capitan Rope-Free Ascent
Alex Honnold accomplished what many consider the greatest climbing achievement ever recorded. In June 2017, he scaled the massive granite wall in Yosemite Valley without any ropes or safety equipment.
The free solo climb took place on El Capitan’s Freerider route. Honnold spent years preparing by climbing the route multiple times with protection before attempting it alone.
He completed the 884-meter wall in just under four hours. Jimmy Chin’s documentary film captured this achievement and became essential viewing for climbers and non-climbers alike.
The Three 9c Grade Climbers
Only three climbers have ever completed routes graded at 9c difficulty. Adam Ondra, Seb Bouin, and Jakob Schubert make up this exclusive group.
Adam Ondra completed the first 9c route in the fall of 2017. His route Silence is located in Flatanger, Norway. He spent 40 days working the moves and two years training specifically for this climb.
Seb Bouin became the second climber to join this group. The former French gym teacher established and climbed DNA in the Verdon Gorges. He bolted the route in summer 2019 and spent three years projecting before his successful ascent.
Jakob Schubert rounded out the trio on September 20, 2023. He completed Project Big after two months of dedicated effort on the route.
Nalle Hukkataival’s V17 Boulder Problem
Nalle Hukkataival set a new standard for bouldering difficulty in 2016. He completed his V17 problem called Burden of Dreams in the forests of Lappnor, Finland.
The boulder problem measures 4 meters tall with 8 moves. Hukkataival worked on this project for three years and made over 4,000 attempts before succeeding.
His ascent stood as the only completion of this problem for seven years. Will Bosi became the second person to climb it in 2023.
What’s Your Next Send?
When climbers head to the gym or the crag, they’ll hear specific terms used by others in the climbing community. Learning this language helps build confidence in any setting.
Before attempting a climb, climbers should carefully look at the route and decide which moves to make. They need to spot places where they can rest along the way. Visualizing the entire sequence helps them picture each hold and where their body needs to be positioned.
Some days feel harder than others, and that’s normal. Climbers shouldn’t be harsh on themselves when progress feels slow. The route will still be there tomorrow, and rocks aren’t going anywhere. There’s always time to keep working on a challenging project.
Regular training makes climbers stronger and builds endurance. It also helps protect against injuries that could sideline their progress.
Most importantly, climbers should remember to enjoy themselves throughout the process.
