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.
They were trying to be safe, but in their zeal they neglected to follow three tenets of basic anchor construction.
If I'd hopped off the ledge or tried to weight the sling, I would've fallen a few hundred feet to the ground. I felt sick to my stomach for a couple weeks after that one.
The guide was right about the loose boulder, but wrong to jiggle it.
Always thread the rope through the anchor, not around it.
They needed to be prepared for disaster. Fortunately, a real climber stepped in.
A true story that could have ended any number of ways.
This versatile hitch has a myriad uses. Here's yet another one.
Use a long cordelette or sling to create a fast, safe, and easy self-equalizing quad anchor
Want to enhance your rappelling skillset? Build better anchors? Perfect your gear placements? Crush your first multi-pitch?
Check out Matt Samet's author page.
Check out Bruce Hildenbrand's author page.
Our top climbing gear picks of 2019
Check out Alexa Flower's author page.
Assign point values to each piece in an anchor to assess overall reliability
SCARY (AND TRUE) TALES FROM A CRAG NEAR YOU
Improve multi-pitch communication by adjusting belay position
Carry less gear by building a solid anchor with the rope
SCARY (AND TRUE) TALES FROM A CRAG NEAR YOU
Check out Julie Ellison's author page.
Build a maximum-strength anchor in ice with two pieces
Learn how to use snow as an anchor
Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.
Check out Julie Ellison's author page.
Setting up a simple yet bomber anchor