Protection

Climbing protection is any of a variety of devices employed to reduce risk and protect others while climbing rock and ice. Nuts and cams are placed into cracks in the rock to provide protection whilst trad or alpine climbing. Hexes are used as large lightweight camming nuts that bite in icy cracks. Ice screws provide some kind of protection for winter climbers. Aid climbers will use a variety of pitons and other devices alongside the standard nuts and cams.