Glossary of Climbing Terms - H

H

HACE

High Altitude Cerebral Edema - a severe, and often fatal, form of altitude sickness.

Hamster

The act of pulling oneself up with both arms parallel in front of your chest. Resembles a Hamster during feeding. That sloper required some hamstering to get to the next move.

Hand traverse

Traversing without any definitive footholds, i.e. smearing or heelhooking.

Hangdog

While lead climbing or on top rope, to hang on the rope or a piece of protection for a rest.

Hanging belay

Belaying at a point such that the belayer is suspended.

HAPE

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema - a serious form of altitude sickness.

Harness

A sewn nylon webbing device worn around the waist and thighs that is designed to allow a person to safely hang suspended in the air.

Haul bag

A large and often unwieldy bag into which supplies and climbing equipment may be thrown.

Headpoint

See top rope. The practice of top-roping a hard trad route before leading it cleanly.

Headwall

A region at the top of a cliff or rock face that steepens dramatically.

Helmet

Also known as a brain bucket or skid lid. It can save your life, but only while worn.

Hexcentric

A protective device. It is an eccentric hexagonal nut attached to a wire loop. The nut is inserted into a crack and it holds through counter-pressure. Often just called Hex.

High Ball

A tall boulder problem. Falling becomes more dangerous due to the increase in height.

Hold

A place to temporarily cling, grip, jam, press, or stand in the process of climbing.

HMS Carabiner

A round-ended carabiner for use with a Munter hitch (from the German name for the hitch; Halbmastwurfsicherung).

Honed

To be in peak mental and physical fitness for climbing.

Hook

1. Equipment used in aid climbing.
2. A climbing technique involving hooking a heel or toe against a hold in order to balance or to provide additional support.

Horn

Large, pointed protrusion of rock that can be slung. Typically also makes a good hand hold. Known in the UK as a "Spike". See bollard, chicken head.

Hueco

(Spanish hueco "hole") A climbing hold consisting of a pocket in the rock, typically round and deep and featuring a positive lip. Huecos vary in size from accommodating a single finger (this is also called a "mono") to large enough to fit one's entire body. The term hueco entered the jargon of rock climbers from the Texas climbing area Hueco Tanks that is famous for this sort of hold.