What is a Piton?
A piton is used in rock climbing as a metal spike that is hammered into cracks or seams in the climbing surface to serve as an anchor point. This anchor can then be used to attach a rope or climbing hardware to secure the climber against a fall. Pitons are especially useful in traditional climbing, where climbers place and remove their protection as they ascend a route, and in situations where other forms of removable gear might not be effective or available.
Pitons vary in shape and size to accommodate different crack widths and rock types. They are designed to fit snugly into a crack, providing a strong and reliable point of attachment for the climber's safety system. However, due to their invasive nature and the potential for damaging the rock, their use has become more selective, with climbers favoring less impactful gear like cams and nuts wherever possible. Despite this, pitons remain an essential piece of equipment for certain climbing disciplines, particularly in alpine, big wall, and aid climbing, where the reliability and security of the anchor can be critical.
How to Pronounce Piton
[PEE] + [TAAN]
The emphasis is on the first syllable, with a long "ee" sound, and the second syllable is pronounced with a short "o" sound, similar to the word "ton."
