| 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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|
