‖ étrier Mountaineering.
(etrije)
Also etrier(s.
[a. Fr. étrier stirrup.]
A short rope ladder with two or three wooden or metal rungs (see quots.). Also attrib.
| 1955 J. E. B. Wright Technique Mountaineering iv. 64 Etriers are rope steps usually of one or two rungs. Ibid. v. 82 Etrier steps. Etrier-stirrups are generally used in pairs and each consists of one to four light alloy rungs placed a foot or so apart and fastened to two short pieces of rope. The result is a short portable ladder which can be hung from pitons on rock or ice pitches. 1956 C. Evans On Climbing iii. 53 {Eacu}triers..are small two- or three-rung rope-ladders, clipped to pitons. 1970 Daily Tel. (Colour Suppl.) 27 Mar. 42/1 He had left his etriers (a little three-rung rope ladder) hooked on to a piton a few feet below. |