Beta (climbing)
Beta is climbing jargon that designates information about a climb.[1][2] The complexity of beta can range from a small hint about a difficult section to a step-by-step instruction of the entire climb.[1][3] In rock climbing this may include information about a climb's difficulty, crux, style, length, quality of rock, ease to protect, required equipment, and specific information about hand or foot holds. For mountaineering, beta may include information about the length and difficulty of the approach, availability of water on the climb and the approach, ease of exiting the route before completing it, descent information, perhaps even useful logistic information for climbs in foreign countries.[citation needed] Sometimes a beta is also drawn, in the form of a beta-map.[4][5]
It is common for climbers to have different beta for the same climb. In other words, more than one possible solution that can get the climber to the top. These can vary in terms of difficulty. It is not uncommon for climbs to get downgraded in their difficulty rating once easier beta is discovered.[6]
Origin of the term
The original use of the term Beta in climbing is generally attributed to the late climber Jack Mileski. "Beta" was short for Betamax, a reference to an old videotape format largely replaced by the VHS format.[3] According to some sources Mileski would record himself on tape while completing routes and then share these tapes with friends. According to other sources it was actually a play on words, as Mileski would often ask, "you want the beta, Max?".[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Climbing Terminology". Rock and Ice - Climbing Magazine. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018.
- ↑ "Rock Climbing Terms & Glossary". betatogether.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "50 MOST IMPORTANT (AND COMMON) CLIMBING TERMS". aceraft.com. Archived from the original on Oct 19, 2017.
- ↑ "Learn This: Mental Training for Climbers". climbing.com. Archived from the original on Feb 18, 2019.
- ↑ Pesterfield, Heidi. Traditional Lead Climbing: A Rock Climber's Guide to Taking the Sharp End of the Rope. Wilderness Press. ISBN 9780899974422.
- ↑ "Inflating Grades and Egos: A Climbing Difficulty Discussion". climbing.com. Archived from the original on Sep 10, 2017.
- ↑ "Tradgirl Climbing FAQ". Archived from the original on Apr 22, 2009.