Whether you and your partner are the only people on an outdoor rock face or two of many bodies clambering around on an indoor route, climbing calls are vital to maintain a comprehensible level of communication between a climber and their belay or a lead climber and the second. The phrasing is often short and to the point and designed so it can be shouted quickly with no misunderstanding. Calls between climbers are vital and can save each other from possible injury or problems during a climb.
Climbing calls should be:
- Uncomplicated basic words
- Easy to remember
- Easy to shout
- Called out clearly and at volume
- Directed to your partner by calling their name first before the instruction (essential on busy routes)
- Shouldn’t have additions that make the call difficult to understand, or have to be thought about
Here is a list of commonly used and important calls:
| Call | Meaning |
| Below! |
Often shouted with a level ranging from mild concern to hysteria. This call indicates that something is falling from the height of the climber and heading to the ground. It can be rock dislodged by the climber, equipment he may have dropped or dislodged. Usually shouted by the lead climber to either his second or anyone on the ground below the climber. If heard, do not look up as this can result in injury. Shield your head or if climbing below the lead climber, pull yourself into the rock and look down. |
| Climb When you are ready! | Shouted by the lead climber to the second to indicate that he is in position, happy with the protection and ready to belay the second. |
| Climbing! | The call back from the Second to the leader after the “Climb when you are ready” call has been given. Second should not start climbing immediately after shouting “Climbing” but wait for the Leader to shout “Ok” in acknowledgement of the call. |
| OK! Or Climb On! | The two calls the Lead climber should give in response to the Seconds call of “Climbing!” |
| Rope Below! | A call to indicate to other climbers or Belays that a rope is being thrown out or lowered for the purposes of Top Roping or Abseiling. |
| Runner on! | A call from the Leader to indicate that the first runner has been placed and that the Second must now be ready to hold a fall from a different direction. |
| Slack! | Call to indicate slack rope is needed, for instance a climber calls “Slack” to their belay to give them slack to execute a particular awkward move. |
| Safe! | Called out by Leader to indicate that he has reached his objective, completed a crux etc and is in a strong position and cannot come to harm. Indoor or short outdoor routes the Climber calls down to his Belay at the top of the ascent to verbally let him know he is fine. |
| Take in! | If there is too much slack rope (the belay may have fallen asleep) or if a runner has been unclipped – signal given to have the slack taken in. |
| Taking In! | Call down from the Leader to the Second that he is pulling up all the slack rope between himself and the Second. |
| Tight! | Sometimes anxious call made by the Second when he fells he is about to fall, or is about to make a difficult move and wants extra attention. |
| You’re Off! or Off Belay! | Call from the Second/Belay to the Leader in acknowledgement of the Leaders call of “Safe!” |
