Climbing Calls
When you go to the crag you’ll hear a variety of phrases being shouted between partners. While some of them might be mild chit chat or abuse, others are actually used to let the partner know what the other has done or is about to do. These are climbing calls and are an important method of communication.
They need to be clear and concise and not easily confused with other calls, especially as they may be called over distance to a partner that is out of sight. For example, if you need the belayer to take in some slack rope you would generally use the phrase "take in!". You should avoid calling "take in slack!" as the first two words could get lost and result in your partner paying out rope as they thought they heard "slack!".
The following table outlines the main climbing calls used in the UK. I have tried to write them in chronological order, that is the order in which you would use them on the first pitch of a climb.
| Call | Description |
|---|---|
| Climb when you’re ready | Belayer letting their partner know that they have them on belay and are ready to protect them. |
| Climbing | Climber letting belayer know they are starting to climb |
| OK | Belayer acknowledging climbers call. Climber should now start to climb. |
| Slack | Call from climber asking for rope to be paid out |
| Take In | Call from climber asking for rope to be taken in |
| Safe | Call from leader to second to say there is no way they can fall, usually because they are secured to a belay and that they can be taken off the belay device |
| Off Belay | Second telling leader that they have been taken off the belay device |
| Taking In | Leader informing second that they are pulling in all of the slack rope between them |
| That’s Me | Second telling leader that the rope has come tight against them |
| Climb when you’re ready | Belayer letting their partner know that they have them on belay and are ready to protect them. |
| Climbing | Climber letting belayer know they are starting to climb |
| OK | Belayer acknowledging climbers call. Climber should now start to climb. |
| Tight | Sometimes called by a second when making an awkward move and wanting a tight top rope |
Some other calls that might be heard include:
| Call | Description |
|---|---|
| Below | Called as warning from climber above when something is dislodged or dropped. Usually a rock or some gear |
| Rope Below | Warning call to other climbers that a rope is about to be thrown down the rock face. |
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