Climbing calls. You better know it well before a climb..

Here I will mention about different climbing calls.

To the advanced climbers, you can refresh these climbing calls so as to climb better and safer.

During climbing, the calls are short and precise to avoid ambiguity. Calls will have to be loud during climbing so as to be heard easily. Below are a few commonly used calls:

Call Meaning

ON BELAY
Climber says this to ensure that the belayer is ready and alert.

BELAY IS ON
In response belayer will reply to indicate that he is prepared to belay, after making sure all knots, gates shut, tight on belay, in line with belay and able to brake correctly

CLIMBING
Climber will say this to let the belayer know he is about to begin the climb

CLIMB ON
Belayer’s response indicating that he is ready and the climber can begin climbing

The above rock climbing calls are usually done in order on the ground prior to a climb after all necessary checks on the equipments have been conducted.

TAKING IN
Belayer will take up any slack in the rope requested by the climber.

SLACK
This is requested by the climber so that the belayer will give some slack, usually during clipping/unclipping of runner or top climbing.

TIGHT!
Often called by the climber, either when making an awkward move, or when expecting to fall off.

OFF BELAY
Climber says this when setting up a rappel at the top of a route so that the belayer knows that the climber is tied off to an anchor.

ROPE!
Call to warn other climbers when lowering or throwing out a rope or abseiling, top roping etc.

Calls may vary but do bear in mind that so long that both climbers and belayers have common understanding and agreement on the calls before the climb.