Another critical part of rock climbing is communications. Both the climber and the partner holding the rope need to know what the other is doing to maintain a safe climb.
Basic Climbing Voice Commands
Here is a list of basic climbing voice commands. Listed first is the command; second who says the command; and third what the command means.
- “On belay” Belayer to climber: I have you on belay and safe.
- “Off belay” Climber to belayer: I am safe and you can take me off belay.
- ”Belay off” Belayer to climber: I understand that you’re safe and am taking you off belay.
- “Climbing” Climber to belayer: I am climbing up now.
- “Climb on” Belayer to climber: Okay, I’m ready. Go ahead and climb.
- “Slack” Climber to belayer: Give me some slack or loose rope and don’t hold the rope so tight.
- “Up rope” Climber (with a top-rope) to belayer: Pull any slack in the rope up tight.
- “Tension," “Tight rope,” and "Take" Climber to belayer: Pull the rope very tight and hold me.
- “Watch me!” Climber to belayer: Pay attention, get off your cell phone, this is hard and I might fall.
- “Falling!” Climber to belayer: I’m falling off and you need to hold me with your belay.
- ”Ready to lower” Climber to belayer: I’m at the anchors on this sport route and ready to come down.
- “Lowering” Belayer to climber: Okay, I’m going to lower you down now.
- “Clipping” Climber to belayer: I’m getting ready to clip the rope into a carabiner, you’ll need to give me some slack rope.
- “On Rappel” Climber to anyone below: I’m getting ready to rappel down now.
- “Off Rappel” Climber to partner above: I am totally disengaged from the rope and you can rappel now.
- “Rock!” Climber to anyone below: Watch out! A chunk of rock is falling and might hit you.
- ”Rope!” Climber to anyone below: Watch out! I am pulling down or tossing down a rope and it might hit you.
Source: About.com
