Communication

Climber: “On rope” - I have tied in and am ready to climb.

Belayer: “On belay” – I have taken in any excess rope and am rigged and ready to belay.

Climber: “Climbing” – I’m starting to climb or restarting climbing after a long delay.

Climber: “Take” or “Take in” – Take in slack, eg. Belay tighter.

Climber: “Slack” – Feed Additional rope.

Anyone: “ROCK!!” – Beware of a falling object

Process

(1) Locate your intended clinb, on club climbing evenings find out who is last in line and state your intention to join the queue. Ensure any top-rope is fully setup and ready for climbing before using.

(2) Once you are ready to climb, locate a helmet, tie-in and get your tie-in buddy checked. Call “on rope” to your belayer.

    Tip: Having your shoes/helmet ready whilst thh proceeding climber is untying can be a handy time-saver.

(3) Wait for the belayer to ready themselves and call “on belay” before making a clear “climbing” call and beginning climbing.

    Tip: Visualising the route of the climb before starting can help you to climb more efficiently.

(4) Make your way up the climb, keep an eye out for loose rock and other risks (eg. Spiders, wasps). Be careful not to wander too far off route and be aware that this becomes more critical as you approach the anchors.

DIAGRAM OF ANGLES IN A TOP ROPE

(5) Upon reaching the top of the climb wait for the belayer to take in slack, calling “take” if necessary. Sit back onto the rope and raise your feet up and place them a shoulder-width apart and walk backwards as you are lowered.

    Tip: Holding onto the rope in front of the harness makes newer climbers feel comfortable however it raises your centre of gravity and can bring your body closer to the cliff. Keeping your arms free means you can fend yourself away from the rock if necessary.

DIAGRAM OF A CLIMBER BEING LOWERED, ARMS UP AND ARMS DOWN.

    ACHTUNG!: If unable to pass a difficult section of the climb DO NOT pull on the rope on the climbers side of the anchor. The belayer will be unable to take in the slack and you run the risk of a fall.

    ACHTUNG!: Keep a close eye on the path of the rope. Don’t allow it to run over sharp edges or get stuck either in V-groovers or under ledges.  Be careful when resting on the rope to minimise swinging the weighted rope over any edges.