Dictionary

Dictionary of Terms used in canyoning.

TermDefinition
AbseilThe process by which a climber can descend a fixed rope. Also known as Rappel.
AnchorPoint where the rope is secured to the rock with bolts, rocks, slings, trees or other gear.
AscenderA device for ascending on a rope.
ATCAir Traffic Controller. Descender / belay device used commonly in climbing.
BelayControlling the rope that is fed out to the climber or abseiler.
BetaInformation or advice about a route given by other canyoners.
BoltA point of protection permanently installed in a hole drilled into the rock, to which a metal hanger is attached, having a hole for a carabiner or ring.
CAMA spring loaded device used as rock climbing or mountaineering protection equipment.
CarabinerMetal rings with spring-loaded gates, used as connectors. Usually oval or roughly D shaped. Also known as crab or biner.
ChockstoneRock or boulder wedged into a narrow canyon or crack.
CowstailA length of dynamic rope with a carabiner attached that allows you clip into anchors.
Daisy ChainA sling sewn with several loops. 
DeadmanAn object buried into the ground to serve as an anchor for an attached rope.
DiversionAn additional anchor part way down that changes the angle/position of the rope.
Figure8Descender / belay device shaped like an 8.
Fixed ProtectionBolts, rings, pitons and other pieces of unremovable protection that maybe found in a canyon.
HandlineDown climbing a fixed line.
HarnessA sewn nylon webbing device worn around the waist and thighs that is designed to allow a person to safely hang suspended in the air.
HMS CarabinerA round ended carabiner specifically for use with a Munter hitch.
LAMARLAst Man At Risk.
PitonMetal spike hammered into cracks to act as a safety point.
PrusikA knot used for ascending a rope.
Pull CordA rope used to retrieve a fixed abseil line.
RebelayThe second anchor point part way down the cliff wall or waterfall.
ReboltingThe replacement of bolts.
SARSearch and Rescue.
ScramblingA type of climbing somewhere between hiking and rock climbing.
ScreeSmall, loose, broken rocks, often at the base of a cliff,
SlingWebbing sewn, or tied, into a loop.
SmearingTo use friction on the sole of the shoe, in the absence of any useful footholds.
SoloingCanyoning alone without a partner.
SRTSingle Rope Technique.
Static RopeA non dynamic rope. Static rope is mostly used in canyoning.
StemClimbing using two faces that are at an angle less than 180° to each other.
WebbingWoven flat nylon strip material used to make slings.
Zip LineA fixed line for sliding down. Also known as Tyrollean Traverse.

Adapted from: http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?21603-Canyoneering-Glossary