How to Lower a Climber When Rock Climbing

What goes up must come down, and in the safest way possible (we hope!). This handy how-to article will give you the safety basics for lowering a climber when you are the belayer in a rock climbing activity.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Belay/rappel device
• Belaying gloves (optional)

1. When your climbing partner that you are belaying has reached the top of a climb, he or she will tell you to "take." This means to pull the rope in aggressively to remove the slack.
2. Lock-off the rope on the belay device and place your weight on the rope to give your climber tension.
3. Tell your climber, "I've got you!" This will let them know that you have removed the slack from the rope and you are prepared to lower them when they are ready.
4. Your climber will respond, "Lower!" This is your signal that they are prepared for you to lower them off the route.
5. Your response at this point will be, "Lowering!" This indicates that you will now lower them off of the climb in a smooth and controlled fashion.
6. Placing both hands on the brake rope, slowly feed the rope through the belay device and lower your climber to the ground. If your climber at any times says, "Stop!", lock-off the rope in the belay device to stop the climber's descent. This will allow them to clean quickdraws off of a sport route or possibly navigate a rock feature that needs special attention to avoid injury when being lowered.
7. When climber is close to the ground, decrease the lowering speed until their feet are firmly on the ground. When they are in a safe location, feed them some extra slack in the rope so they can untie.

Tips & Warnings

• When lowering a climber over a roof feature or other uneven sections of rock they've just climbed, slow the speed at which you lower them to make sure they can navigate the area safely and without injury.
• You should have two hands on the rope at all times when belaying or lowering.
• Rock climbing is a dangerous sport and should only be attempted by those who have received proper instruction on safety and technique.
• Always make sure your belay device is threaded properly and that your harness is secure, double-backed through all buckles, and all caribiners are locked.