Climbing command

A climbing command is a short phrase used in climbing. It is shouted by the climber to the belayer or vice versa.

Table of contents

1 Starting a climb 2 During a climb 3 Ending a climb 4 Other commands

Starting a climb

; "On Belay?": the climber wants to know if he is being belayed. ; "Belay on!" (US) or "Climb when ready" (UK): the belayer is ready ; "Climbing!": the climber beginning his/her ascent ; "Climb on": acknowledgement of "Climbing!"

During a climb

; "Tension", "Up rope!", "Take!" (US) or "Take in!" (UK): remove the slack in the rope between the belayer and the climber ; "Slack", "Down rope!", "Give!" (US) or "Give out!" (UK): add more slack in the rope between the belayer and the climber ; "Falling!": climber is falling or about to fall

Ending a climb

; "Off Belay!" (US) or "Safe!" (UK): the climber has made a safe stance; the belayer can take a rest. ; "Dirt me!" (US slang) or "Lower me" (US, UK): the belayer can start lowering off the climber. ; "Got me?": warning signal for the belayer to expect some weight on the rope

Other commands

; "Rope!" (US) or "Rope below!" (UK): warning signal that the rope will hit the ground seconds after this is heard ; "Rock!" (US) or "Below!" (UK): warning signal that some rocks are falling down