Beta is a climbing term that designates information about how to ascend a climbing route.
The complexity of beta can range from a small hint about a difficult section, to a step-by-step instruction of the entire climb. In rock climbing this may include information about a climb’s difficulty, crux, style, length, quality of rock, ease to protect, required equipment, and even specific information about hand or foot holds. For mountaineering, beta may include information about the length and difficulty of the approach, availability of water on the climb and the approach, ease of exiting the route before completing it, descent information, perhaps even useful logistic information for climbs in foreign countries.