Movement Belay Certification Vocabulary Development 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'munter hitch' in belay vocabulary?
- A knot used only to join two ropes
- A friction hitch tied on a locking carabiner that can be used for belaying or rappelling (Correct answer)
- A mechanical belay device brand
- A knot used to attach a harness to the rope
Correct answer: A friction hitch tied on a locking carabiner that can be used for belaying or rappelling
The munter hitch (also called the Italian hitch) is a reversible friction hitch tied on an HMS carabiner that functions as a belay or rappel method.
Question 2: In equipment vocabulary, what distinguishes 'soft goods' from 'hard goods'?
- Soft goods are cheaper; hard goods are expensive
- Soft goods are textile-based (ropes, slings, harnesses); hard goods are metal (carabiners, devices) (Correct answer)
- Soft goods are for top-rope; hard goods are for lead
- Soft goods expire faster than hard goods
Correct answer: Soft goods are textile-based (ropes, slings, harnesses); hard goods are metal (carabiners, devices)
Soft goods refer to textile or fabric gear subject to abrasion and UV degradation, while hard goods are metal hardware with different inspection criteria.
Question 3: What does 'redundancy' mean as a core safety vocabulary term in climbing?
- Having extra gear that you do not use
- Having two independent systems so a single failure does not cause catastrophe (Correct answer)
- Repeating safety checks multiple times
- Using doubled ropes on every route
Correct answer: Having two independent systems so a single failure does not cause catastrophe
Redundancy means each critical system has a backup, so if one component fails the other still holds.
Question 4: The command 'Slack' from a climber means the belayer should:
- Stop feeding rope immediately
- Feed out additional rope to reduce tension (Correct answer)
- Lower the climber one meter
- Tighten the system and prepare to hold
Correct answer: Feed out additional rope to reduce tension
'Slack' asks the belayer to give more rope, relieving tension so the climber can move freely or clip without being pulled tight.
Question 5: In movement terminology, what is 'stemming'?
- Planting both feet on the same foothold
- Pressing outward with both feet on opposing walls or features to create upward force (Correct answer)
- Grabbing the rope with both hands
- Climbing with the body flat against the wall
Correct answer: Pressing outward with both feet on opposing walls or features to create upward force
Stemming uses opposing outward foot pressure on two separate surfaces, commonly seen in corners (dihedrals), allowing the climber to rest or progress.
Question 6: What is a 'crux' in climbing route vocabulary?
- The start of the route
- The most difficult move or section on a route (Correct answer)
- The final anchor at the top
- A type of handhold used on overhangs
Correct answer: The most difficult move or section on a route
The crux is the hardest single move or sequence on a climb and typically determines the route's overall grade.
Question 7: What does 'kN' (kilonewton) measure in climbing gear vocabulary?
- Rope length in metric units
- Force strength ratings on hardware and software gear (Correct answer)
- The weight of a carabiner in grams
- The number of falls a device can hold
Correct answer: Force strength ratings on hardware and software gear
Kilonewtons are the unit of force used to rate the breaking strength of climbing gear; 1 kN equals approximately 224 lbs of force.
Movement Belay Certification Vocabulary Development 3
What is a 'munter hitch' in belay vocabulary?