Free solo: To climb a route without any rope protection.

On sight: To lead a climb with no falls without ever having seen the route before. It is permissible to consider the route from below but not to watch another climber ascending it.

Flash: To lead a climb with no falls on a previously unattempted route. In this case, the climber may abseil down the face in order inspect it before the ascent, or he may watch someone else climbing it.

Redpoint: To lead a climb in one go without falling. All protection must be placed from the climbing position. In this case, it does not matter how often the route has been attempted in the past.

Pinkpoint (en libre): To lead a climb in one go without falls, with protection placed beforehand.

Red circle: After a fall from the leading position, the climber returns to last "no hand rest" (a place where it is possible to stand up without holding on) and starts to climb again. He is then protected from the top until he reaches the topmost anchor.

Top rope: To ascend a route with rope protection from the top.