CEFR C1

absolute pin

noun phrase

Meaning

A specialized and extremely secure piece of climbing equipment used to protect a climber from a fall, often placed in a critical or difficult section of a route where other protection might be less reliable.

Examples

  • The climber reached the crux of the route and hammered in an absolute pin for maximum security.
  • Experienced mountaineers know the importance of trusting an absolute pin in challenging ascents.

Synonyms: secure anchor, bombproof protection, fail-safe point