Belaying Techniques to Back up Leader

Rock climbing for beginners, learn the first important things about rock climbing procedure so that you are getting to be like a pro.

Belaying techniques to back up leader, so in a secure state in the climbing lane. Let us examine some of these instructions.

Just like you have been doing indoors. Belaying outdoor rock climbing, stay close in to the base of the crag where you can see what’s going on. Keep a hand on each side of the rope all the time and pay out slack smoothly. As a bonus try and anticipate exactly when your leader needs some slack and pay some rope out just before they make a move or clip a runner so they don’t have to shout for slack or give the rope.

If the leader falls in the wall as there will probably be more friction with the rope running through runners and rubbing against the rock. Just keep an eye on your partner so it doesn’t come as a shock and don’t have your hands too close to the belay device so your skin gets pinched (ouch!).

Size of climber/belayer: Smaller belayers belaying larger climbers may want a higher friction device to help hold falls and control lowers. However, watch for the belayer being pulled off the ground when holding a fall. A ground anchor may be useful in some circumstances. Conversely when belaying small climbers; especially small children, high friction devices mean it is harder to lower them down as there is too much friction in the system.

Learn how to use a prusik knot to act as a backup in case you lose control of the rope and it won’t feel as intimidating. The photo below shows a popular set up using a French prusik wrapped around the rope below the abseil device and clipped to a leg-loop. 

Belaying Rock Climbing Techniques

Belaying is one of the Climbing Techniques in Rock Climbing. It is securing the climber during his climb. There are techniques and Belay Devices needed to do this. Choosing the correct belay device and method is important so that both the belayer and the climber would not encounter difficulties. Although there are many techniques to belay a person, we will focus on the most common one. The following guidelines can help you to learn belaying rock climbing techniques before action. 

Semi-Direct Belay Method

1. Create a single or a multiple-point equalized anchor. This step is not always necessary as it depends on the weights of the climber and belayer, as well as the stance of the belayer.
2. Then tie the rope-end into your Climbing Harness as described in our Climbing Techniques - Tying In section. By doing this, you will create a belay loop.
3. Attach yourself to the anchor, if there is one (refer to step 1). Note that as a belayer, you should be attached tight to the anchor and in line with any direction of the loading.
4. Then attach a belay device to your belay loop. The device is now ready to be used in a semi-direct belay method.

This belay method is called semi-direct as the load of a fall is taken by the anchor and by the belayer via the belay device, belay loop and the rope to the anchor. The attachment of the belayer is attached to the anchor ensures that the belayer can easiliy lock off and pay out the rope when under tension.