noun
- A metal spike or peg with an eye or loop at one end, driven into rock or ice to secure a rope in climbing.
Usage: Usually used in plural; common in mountaineering and rock climbing
Examples
- The climber hammered pitons into the rock face to anchor the rope.
- Modern climbers often prefer removable pitons over permanent ones.
- She checked that all the pitons were secure before ascending the cliff.
- The mountaineer carried a rack of pitons in different sizes.
- Pitons leave marks on the rock, so some climbers use alternative protection methods.