Arêtes (Arete)

An arête is a sharp, narrow ridge of rock that serves as a climbing feature. Climbers often use opposing forces with their hands and feet on either side of the arête, making it challenging to balance and maintain grip. This feature requires precise footwork and body positioning.

Examples

John spots an arête on his bouldering route, a vertical edge that separates two faces of the rock. He uses the arête for hand placements, gripping the narrow edge to keep his balance. By pinching the arête with his thumb and fingers, he secures his position and maneuvers upward. Emma, another climber, also encounters an arête during her climb. She smears her foot against one side of the arête while using the edge for her hands, applying pressure with her big toe to maintain contact and push herself higher.