Redpoint

A redpoint is a clean, fall free lead ascent of a route that the climber has already tried before, whether that means one previous attempt or dozens of sessions working out the sequence. It is distinct from an onsight, which is climbing a route clean on the very first try with no prior knowledge or practice.

The redpoint process usually involves working a route on top rope or with falls to figure out the individual moves and clip positions, sometimes called projecting, before linking the whole thing together on lead without weighting the rope. Climbers often rehearse tricky sections repeatedly and rest between attempts to keep their fingers fresh for a full send.

Because redpointing often means pushing close to a climber's current limit, falls during the practice attempts are expected and part of the process, which makes a confident, attentive belayer and a good understanding of the route's fall consequences especially important. Grades assigned to a route are usually based on its redpoint difficulty rather than an onsight difficulty, which is worth keeping in mind when picking a project.