Glossary of Climbing Terms

Edge: A thin ledge on the rock.
Edging: Using the edge of the climbing shoe on a foothold. In the absence of footholds, smearing is used.
Egyptian: A climbing technique used to reduce tension in arms while holding a side grip.
Eight-thousander: A mountain whose elevation exceeds 8,000 metres above sea level.
Eliminate: A bouldering move or series of moves in which either certain holds are placed 'off bounds' or other artificial restrictions are imposed.
Elvis legs: Wobbly knees resulting from tired legs. See Sewing machine leg.
Epic: An ordinary climb rendered difficult by a dangerous combination of weather, injuries, darkness, lack of preparedness or other adverse factors. See Punter.
European Death Knot: A double overhand used to join a pair of ropes for retrievable abseils. So named as the technique originated in Europe and the Americans initially distrusted it.
Exposure: Empty space below a climber, usually referring to a great distance above the deck through which the climber could fall.