Bolt plate

A bolt plate is a small, removable metal device used in sport climbing to connect the climber's quickdraw to a bolt. It is typically used in routes with fixed bolts that have no hanger attached. The climber slides the bolt plate onto the bolt, creating an attachment point for the quickdraw. This secures the climber’s rope, ensuring safe progression up the route.

Examples

In lead climbing and sports climbing, a bolt plate is a key piece of gear used to secure climbers to the route. When a climber encounters a fixed bolt without a hangar, they can use a bolt plate to connect their rope via a quickdraw. The climber slides the plate over the bolt head, and the quickdraw carabiner secures through the plate hole, ensuring the climber’s safety. This setup is essential in sports climbing areas where fixed bolts may not always come pre-equipped with hangars. Usage of bolt plates is more common on older routes or specific climbing areas where minimal hardware is initially installed.