The Mechanics of Belaying
In the controlled gym situation that you are now in, one person will be the belayer while the other person will be the climber. The rope, which is anchored to safety gear at the top of the wall, is attached to both the climber and the belayer (this type of climbing is called top-roping). The climber is tied directly into the end of the rope (with a Figure-8 Follow-Through knot), while the belayer is attached to the rope with a belay device, a mechanical device which enables the belayer to safely and efficiently hold the climber’s weight with the rope. It is the belayer’s responsibility to keep the rope snug on the climber as he ascends the wall, to hold him in case he falls, and to lower him back to the base after reaching the top of the wall.Finding a Belayer
Remember that gyms do not supply belayers (although some might offer a belayer-for-hire). You need to be trained yourself to safely belay and to bring a properly trained belayer to climb with you. If you don’t have a belayer, you can often hook up with another partnerless climber on busy evenings and swap climbs and belays.Gym Belay and Climbing Tests
Most climbing gyms require new climbers to take an introductory crash course that acquaints them with gym rules, how to tie into the rope with a Figure-8 Follow-Through knot, how to belay and lower, and basic climbing movements. Most also require a belay test that demonstrates your belaying competency as well as a knot-tying test.You and your partner have passed the gym belay test, you're tied into the rope, and outfitted with shoes and harness. Now you're ready to rock and roll. Let's go climbing. Go to the next section on Climbing Up to learn the basics of climbing movement.
