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Climbing Calls
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Information Articles For clear communication between the leader and a second during a climbing session, Climbing Calls have developed. These calls are very important and should always be clarified between the leader and the second before the start of a climb. It is important that these are called out loudly and clearly. One should not add words to these calls as this will cause confusion. If you are on a busy route, then always use you climbing partner’s name.
| Call | Meaning |
| TAKING IN | A call from the leader that he is pulling up, hand over hand, with all of the slack rope between him and his second |
| THAT’S ME | A call from the second to indicate that all of the slack rope between him and the leader has been pulled up |
| CLIMB WHEN YOU ARE READY | Call from leader that comes only after he has put on his belay device, checked all knots, gates shut and done up, tight on belay, in line with belay, and is able to brake correctly |
| CLIMBING | Call from the second, before starting to climb, after this call, the second does not climb until the leader calls out “ok” or “climb on” |
| OK or CLIMB ON | Call from the leader to affirm he heard that the second is about to climb |
| TAKE IN | If the rope has not been taken in for some time, or slack rope has been introduced due to unclipping a runner, etc. |
| SLACK | Indicates that slack rope is needed, maybe to reverse a move or unclip a runner |
| TIGHT | This is called by the second, either when making an awkward move or when expecting to fall off |
| SAFE | A call from the leader to indicate that there is no possibility of him coming to harm. The leader will normally say ‘safe’ at the top of a route to the belayer out of courtesy. |
| YOU’RE OFF or OFF BELAY | Call from the second in response to the “safe” call from the leader |
| RUNNER ON | Call from the leader, to indicate that the first runner has been placed and the second must now be ready to hold a fall from a different direction |
| BELOW | This is a call from anyone who has accidentally dislodge a stone (e.g. from a crag or a route). This call must be shouted in full volume. Once this call is given, those below should not look up to avoid receiving an injury. |
| ROPE BELOW | This is a courtesy call when lowering or throwing out a rope, or when abseiling, top roping etc. |
These are the usual calls used in Rock Climbing. These may vary, depending on the climbers. Just bear in mind that the set of Climbing Calls that will be used must be agreed upon by the leader and the other climbers before the climb.
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