How To Belay

How to Belay Rock Climbing

Belaying is an essential technique for climbers that allows them to securely climb and descend. It`s also a deft way to keep a climber safe while they are climbing. Belaying is not hard to master, but it is best to learn from an experienced climber and get practice with them. After some practice, these tips will help you to safely belay your climber.

The Gear

Before you get started, you`ll need the right gear and a partner. The gear you`ll need is a harness, a locking carabiner, belay device, and climbing rope. A harness will allow you to tie into the rope system while on the ground. With a locking carabiner, which is a metal clip, the belay device attaches to your harness. Belay devices come in different shapes but generally work the same way, providing a secure connection between the rope and the harness. The climbing rope is a flat, 8.9- or 9.2-millimeter rope as this diameter is unique to climbing.

Setup

Once you have your gear, it`s time to get set up. Start by attaching the belay device to your harness. Attach the locking carabiner to the belay device. You will need a partner to help you with this. Have one person stand on the ground and hold one end of the climbing rope in each of their hands. The person should wrap the rope around their waist for additional safety. The other person holds the climbing rope in two hands, and securely clips the rope into the carabiner at the top of the belay device. They need to double-check the carabiner before clipping in. Next, the climber should tie into the bottom of the rope, using a figure eight knot. You can also tie up a safety knot, which is an extra knot to help ensure safety in the event of a fall.

Position

Before the climber starts climbing, the belayer needs to be in the correct position. Stand facing the wall, approximately an arm`s length away from the wall. Keep your feet flat on the ground and be aware of your balance. Make sure your arms are bent and at a comfortable angle. Your hands will be gripping the rope and your palms should be down. You never want to belay with your elbows locked.

Communication

Communication is essential when belaying. Before the climber starts climbing, both you and your partner should agree on the communication signals you will use. A common signal is `on belay,` which the climber will say to indicate they are ready to climb. Belaying is a team sport so you and your partner should be in constant communication throughout the climb.

Climbing With The Belay

Once the climber is ready to start climbing, it`s time to begin belaying. With your left hand, hold the rope in a `V` shape. Your right hand will be used to control the rope. Keep a tight grip on the `V` as the climber is climbing. The rope should move safely and smoothly through your hands. As your partner ascends, you will need to feed the rope through the belay device. This ensures that they can make it to the top of the wall safely.

Bringing The Climber Back Down

When the climber has reached the top, it is time to bring them back down. Make sure that the climber is secure and ready to descend. Once they give you the signal, you can start bringing them down slowly. Start by unlooping some slack from the `V` in your left hand. Use your right hand to feed the rope into the belay device. When they reach the ground, you`ll need to take in the slack into the `V,` ensuring that the rope is secure.

Conclusion

Belaying is an essential technique for the climber and the belayer. It allows for secure climbing and helps to ensure that the climber is safe throughout the ascent. With these tips, you should be able to easily set up and belay a climber safely and effectively. Before you start climbing, make sure to practice with an experienced climber as this will reduce the chance of any mistakes.