Belaying

Casual cragging is anything but—the law of gravity still applies. Use this four-part checklist to beat complacency and prevent accidents.

Violating the rule "never take your brake hand off the rope," is bad enough, but this belayer took it to a whole new level of danger.

It was sheer luck that saved his partner's life after he took him off belay on lead.

Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.

Proper belay technique can mean the difference between pulling gear or breaking ankles and just hitting the end of the rope.

Webbing may cost less than climbing rope, but it doesn't stretch and belay devices aren't designed for it. It seems self apparent that you should only climb on an actual climbing rope, but not everyone has gotten the message.

It's a fantastical, unbelievable story, but the unbelievable really happened.

You might be lighter than your partner, but you can still belay with confidence. The author shares tips from decades of climbing and guiding.

Three more instances of climbers taking unnecessary, foolish risks.

"On arriving at the belay, I saw that my partner had tried to put the tube-style belay device in guide mode, but failed."

People like to be liked and noticed. But this guy took it way too far.

The belay had three bolts yet he only clipped one, and didn't use a single locking carabiner.

Here we have two tales of not paying enough attention to climbing's most critical tasks: tying in and belaying.

A tossed rock and a lost belay would have killed this leader if not for a miraculous landing among the boulders.

A true story that could have ended any number of ways.

This sketchy dude took the leader off belay and left to chat up a couple of girls.

Learn the safest methods for toprope belaying. If you're new to rock climbing, this will lay the foundation for future belaying skills.

Don't assume that because someone can climb hard that they are good belayers.

A stranger he met at the gym dropped him to the ground. In the aftermath, the author had to relearn how to climb—and to trust.

How you hold the rope is just one aspect of the belay and no more or less important than vigilance, rope management, and how and where you stand.

A classic case of miscommunication could have spelled disaster.

Seven tips—to work on now and continually—for mastering the nuances of falling and catching falls.

Internationally certified mountain guide Rob Coppolillo shares five ways to ensure a safer belay.

If you thought you'd seen everything, you haven't.

Gyms have a lot of rules and some of them might irritate you, but speed lowering is never a good idea

Uneven stances, hanging belays, anchors, roots and rocks your rope can snag on...belaying outside is full of hazards that aren't replicated in the gym. Here are some strategies to keep both the climber and belayer safe and secure.

How you hold the rope is just one aspect of the belay—no more or less important than vigilance, rope management, how and where you stand, and communication.

Parents love their kids and will do anything for them, including taking them toprope climbing when they don't have a clue.

Check out Corey Buhay's author page.

I wanted the send as much as my son. Invested emotionally in his success and full of doubt about my own belaying ability, could I be the partner he needed on his hardest route?

Embody these seven characteristics and you’ll have a better chance at becoming the belayer your partner deserves.

Our savvy readers submitted these four tips from the field that can help you out of a tight spot, or just make your day at the crag or on the wall more efficient and enjoyable.

Check out Matt Samet's author page.

Check out Heather Weidner's author page.

Save your neck

Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.

Check out Bailey Batchelor's author page.

6 Belayers found in your area! Sort by: Best match

Learn to lower a climber while using a belay device in guide mode

Great Grip

Improve multi-pitch communication by adjusting belay position

Check out James Lucas's author page.

Check out James Lucas's author page.

Check out James Lucas's author page.

Check out James Lucas's author page.

Check out James Lucas's author page.

SCARY (AND TRUE) TALES FROM A CRAG NEAR YOU

SCARY (AND TRUE) TALES FROM A CRAG NEAR YOU

SCARY (AND TRUE) TALES FROM A CRAG NEAR YOU

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

A look into the inner workings of the popular gym belay system

Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.

Answer Man discusses the crappy belayer

SCARY (AND TRUE) TALES FROM A CRAG NEAR YOU

SCARY (AND TRUE) TALES FROM A CRAG NEAR YOU

Use this expert advice to never lose touch with your partner on a long route

SCARY (AND TRUE) TALES FROM A CRAG NEAR YOU

Ask a Technical Expert.

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

Check out JP Whitehead's author page.

Scary (and true) tales from a crag near you

Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.

Check out Climbing's author page.

Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.

Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.

Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.

Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.

Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.

Check out Jason D. Martin's author page.

Check out Blake Herrington's author page.

Check out Kurt Hicks's author page.

Check out Shannon Davis's author page.

Check out Climbing's author page.

Check out Rob Hess's author page.

Check out Kelly Cordes's author page.

Check out Climbing's author page.

Check out Dave Sheldon's author page.

Check out Eli Helmuth's author page.