The Spanish word 'escalada' (meaning 'climbing') comes from the verb 'escalar' (meaning 'to climb'), which itself derives from the noun 'escala' (meaning 'scale' or 'ladder'). 'Escala' comes from the Latin word 'scala', meaning 'ladder' or 'stairs'. The ending '-ada' is a common Spanish suffix used to form nouns that indicate an action or the result of an action, similar to how English uses '-ing' to form gerunds.

Some simpler, related Spanish words include 'escala' (scale, ladder) and 'escalar' (to climb). These words are more basic forms that you might encounter before learning 'escalada'. The relationship between these words is quite logical - a 'escala' is something you use to climb, 'escalar' is the action of climbing, and 'escalada' refers to the activity of climbing in general.

English speakers might recognize the connection to words like 'scale' (both as in 'to climb up' and 'a measuring device'), 'escalator', and 'escalate'. All of these words share the same Latin root 'scala' and relate to the concept of climbing or moving upward. The word 'scale' when used as a verb ('to scale a wall') is particularly close in meaning to the Spanish 'escalada'.