Rappelling belay. Belaying is a critical part of climbing safety.
Rappelling belay Our most versatile belay/rappel device, with excellent feeding and pulling in guide mode, the ATC-Guide is ready for any multi-pitching mission from wandering granite routes in the Bugaboos to bomber limestone in El Potrero. Included: Rappelling gear list, what is rappelling, rappelling styles and more! Jun 26, 2023 · For those new to rock climbing or those looking to brush up on their skills, belay classes can be an invaluable resource. 1 to 9 . Shop our ATC Guide, ATC XP & more belaying & rappelling gear. Oct 16, 2023 · After going through all of this theory on how to properly belay, let’s take a look at the most common rock climbing belay commands, starting from “On belay” to “Belay off”. Belaying is a critical part of climbing safety. Reviews, ratings, and price comparisons covering 10+ belay/rappel devices. Though there are some climbing terms such as a “dyno” that you honestly don’t need to know straight away, belaying is one of the most essential skills you’ll need for rock climbing. Belays add an extra level of safety for the rappeller in the event that the rappeller loses control and starts to fall. The term is also used when rappelling--the sport of using ropes to descend down a steep cliff face in a series of hops or jumps. Mar 16, 2022 · Belaying may be the most critical skill you need to participate in the sport of rock climbing safely. This is very appropriate when learning how to rappel, but the additional gear, time, and complexity rarely justify the increase in safety during a rescue (unless a rescuer is rappelling with a patient). Before you can partner up with a friend and head out for a day of climbing, you need to know how to belay. Known for being versatile and lightweight, REVERSO is a belay device for single or multi-pitch climbing and mountaineering. Jun 2, 2024 · So, what exactly is an extended rappel? Simply put, rather than attaching your rappel device directly to your belay loop in the standard manner, you add some sort of runner / carabiner combination to “extend” it farther away from your body. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Jun 20, 2023 · Experts cover rappelling—its main principles, counter-weight rappelling, fixed line rappelling, extending your rappel, and selecting your rappel back-up system. Delivering quality value and workmanship in descent devices, but above all, in service to both career and volunteer rope rescue professionals. The different types of rappelling are: Standard rappels Australian rappels Hanging rappels Military rappels Simul-rappel Fireman’s belay Tandem rappels It’s important to know about the different types of rappelling so that you’re aware of what’s appropriate for what situations, and any differences in the gear you need to carry. So what is belaying? In top rope belaying, the climbing rope runs from the belayer’s belay device to the anchor point at the top of the climb and back down to the climber’s harness. Aug 7, 2019 · Amazon. What is Canyoneering? Jun 5, 2025 · When you’re rock climbing, it’s important that you be able to communicate with your belayer. Though not recommended anymore, since rappel/belay devices are much more widely available, it was used frequently in the past. Mar 26, 2020 · When and how to belay a rappel Note - This post discusses techniques and methods used in vertical rope work. Best for gym, sport and multipitch trad climbing. Explore durable climbing belay & rappel devices from Black Diamond to gear up for your next descent. They allow you to descend a rope by sliding down it. There are three main types of rappelling belays: a top rope belay, a fireman belay, and an autoblock. com : 50KN Rescue Figure, 8 Descender Large Bent-Ear Belaying and Rappelling Gear Belay Device Climbing for Rock Climbing Peak Rescue 7075 Aluminum Alloy (Black) : Sports & OutdoorsAOKWIT Figure 8 Descender Figure 8 Descender can be used to descend in the same way as the standard figure 8. Mar 9, 2021 · Home - Climb - Abseiling Safely: The Complete Guide on How to Rappel Proper abseiling technique is a valuable skill for every rock climber and mountaineer to have in their pocket. Tubular belay device: Compact, light and easy to use. com Jul 25, 2025 · Learn six key belay systems for rappelling—independent, bottom belay, self-belay, automatic, and more. Nov 2, 2021 · If you’re climbing curious, you’ve no doubt heard the term “belaying” and may rightfully be wondering what on earth it means. The rope is passed through this device so that the climber has more control over the rope when belaying. A rappel device is one of the most important pieces of rappelling gear. It is compatible with most rope diameters: single 8. Feb 6, 2019 · In the sport of rock climbing, “on belay” is the first climbing command used by a rope climbing team at the base of a route, as well as at both the beginning and end of a pitch higher up the cliff. The friction generated by the rope on a long Belay devices are an important piece of rock climbing equipment as they act as a brake. Feb 3, 2022 · With the recent influx of climbing media, jargon like 'soloing' is spilling out into the general public. The ATC belay device from Black Diamond is one of the most popular rappel devices in the world. The secret is our friction-free, magnetic braking technology, which gives the softest, safest, most consistent catch available on the market today. Whether you are rappelling one pitch, or in a multi-pitch setting, there are many important things you need to know about rigging a rappel. The specific design allows the rope to glide smoothly through the device and reduces wear. Chances are, you have even heard about how dangerous rappelling can be. Here's a crash course! 7 Types of Rappelling revealed! Standard, Military, Simul and more. What’s a Belay Device? A belay device is climbing equipment that gives a belay to a climber. Jun 19, 2023 · Climbers spend half of their time belaying—make sure you know all of the nuanced tips on how to belay in every situation. com : SOB Rescue Figure 8 Descender Belaying 40KN Bent Ear Belay Device Rock Climbing Rappelling Gear Aluminum Magnesium Alloy : Sports & Outdoors【Excellent Braking Effect】 Figure 8 descender uses the friction force generated between itself and the rope to brake, which can effectively slow down the descent speed and avoid some accidents due to too fast descent. The rope, harness, and rappel device protect the rappeler against a fall. CMC, committed to providing rope descenders for rappelling, belay & vertical rescue maneuvers with rope rigging systems, pulleys, carabiners, and training gear for rescue organizations & departments. As well as using them to belay at the crag or in the gym, belay gloves are often used for rappelling. The original ATC works well with rock climbing ropes 10mm and larger, while the Black Diamond ATC-XP better handles the smaller ropes used for ice climbing and canyoneering. A description of the different safety checks in rock climbing and of the basic rock climbing commands. Unlike the simpler act of being lowered by a belayer on the ground while tied into one end of the rope, a person on rappel can control his/her own descent. We've been testing locking carabiners since GearLab's inception in 2010, and in that time, our team of dedicated expert climbers has tested nearly 40 different locking Picking a rappelling device is a little bit different than picking a belay device. Heavier and not compatible with certain rope diameters or icy/wet ropes. In its simplest form, a belay consists of a rope that runs from a climber to another person (the belayer) who can stop the climber's fall. However, if you equip yourself with the correct rappelling gear and learn all the essential rappelling skills, you can Discover the best Climbing Belay & Rappel Equipment in Best Sellers. Sep 29, 2022 · Rappelling is essential to get down after a single or multi-pitch route. The… Learn how to choose a belay device for rock climbing. May 19, 2022 · If you need a belay device to rappel, we've got you! We dig into the different types of devices out there and which ones are best for each rap type! If you've been in the climbing or canyoning scene for a few years, you've probably tried a slew of different rappel and belay devices. Sep 21, 2023 · After months of testing, our avid rock climber and resident expert found the best climbing belay devices of 2023. Sep 19, 2024 · Learn the definition of "on belay" and its importance in rock climbing, including common mistakes to avoid and benefits of proper belaying. Rappelling with the right gear, training, and experience will create a safer and more controlled environment in the descent. So, let’s get into it! May 5, 2025 · A belay device is essential for catching falls anytime you're climbing on a rope. This will allow you to safely communicate with your belayer during your climb. Correct belaying methods allow a belayer to hold the entire weight of the climber with relatively little force and easily arrest falls. Comprehensive guide to provide a complete look at rappelling techniques. Independent Belay One option is to create an independent belay using a second rope. Jun 3, 2022 · Learn this reliable system, which includes a backup and basic rope-ascent skills, to make your rappelling safer. Most people are so concerned about going up the wall that they fail to prepare for the (arguably more important) counterpart: safely coming back down. Dulfersitz Rappel Method The Dulfersitz Rappel (also known as Classical Abseil, or Body Rappel) is a non-mechanical rappelling (abseiling) technique- meaning no gear or rappel devices. However, it’s normal for them to struggle to hear you in a loud rock climbing gym or out in nature. The result is a comprehensive comparison-tested review, and some Learn the basics of top rope belaying, including gear, setup, safety checks and procedures, plus the PBUS method and how to lower a climber. These classes, often offered by climbing gyms, provide hands-on training on the fundamentals of belaying. com. Dec 11, 2020 · A complete guide to all things rappelling gear. In climbing, a belayer holds a lead climber’s rope and feeds it out as the leader advances upward. May 7, 2025 · Locking carabiners are essential to climbing, whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out. A locked biner prevents accidental gate openings so you can climb more safely, and every belay device should be attached to one. One piece of equipment that comes in handy to maintain greater control when performing a belay (in climbing) or a rappel is Online shopping from a great selection of climbing belay and rappel equipment in the Outdoor Recreation store on Amazon. Lightweight climbers may find them slow for rappelling. Dec 10, 2020 · Have you ever come away from a cragging session with sore palms, or struggled to hold a big leader fall as the rope ripped through your hands? If so, you need some belay gloves! The Adventure Junkies will help you find the best belay gloves for you. Choose Your Belay Device for Climbing or Mountaineering Petzl makes different belay devices for different disciplines: belay devices with cam-assisted blocking provide a comfortable belay experience, and manual belay/rappel devices allow the user to rappel on two rope strands. The top devices for rappelling are: The Petzl PIRANA Sterling ATS Petzl Stop Designer The Edelrid Giga Jul The SQWUREL 2 The Black Diamond ATC These devices are good for different uses. Keep reading to learn about belay devices and how to pick the right one based on your climbing experience and the style of climbing you enjoy. However, it's also the most dangerous climbing activity because Nov 10, 2020 · Amazon. While being lowered by a belayer is generally the most ideal way One of the first skills you need to master once you start climbing is how to belay. "Belaying" refers to a variety of techniques used to keep tension Jan 4, 2024 · We break down every type of belay device and talk about where belaying started, and talk about which devices work best for your style of climbing. Because we believe the best belay device is not the best for everyone. Includes the pros and cons of tubular, assisted braking and Figure 8 devices. Nov 14, 2024 · Mechanical belay devices: Typically designed for belaying rather than rappelling. Rappelling is an inherently dangerous activity. If you do them wrong, you could die. But which one is the best? Belay devices come in three different categories — tube-style, auto-blocking devices, and assisted braking devices — and our expert climbing testers have put in hundreds of hours belaying and testing all three kinds. Black Diamond’s most tried and true belay device was named the ATC to facetiously draw the connection between a falling climber and an aircraft trying to land at the airport. Different winding Aug 22, 2022 · When you need to rappel the same route you just climbed, the transition at the top can often be a big time suck. It allows you to belay your climbing partner, rappel, and use Reverso mode to belay one or two seconds. “To belay” is a term with nautical origins that involves securing a rope around another object, for example, a cleat, to stop it from moving. We discuss rope soloing here. Find the top 100 most popular items in Amazon Sports & Outdoors Best Sellers. Fortunately, you can use basic, universal commands that are easy to remember. Rappelling belays are not essential when rappelling, but they are highly recommended. Aug 7, 2025 · Belaying is a technique of managing slack in a climbing system to safeguard a climber and prevent the climber from taking a dangerous fall. In the modern day, most climbers use a variety of gear to belay, notably Mar 8, 2013 · How to Rappel with the Black Diamond ATC The Black Diamond ATC is a simple, versatile tool for belaying and rappelling. Maybe a decade ago, the extended rappel was regarded by many as a sort of a fringe Euro rope trick. Rappelling is yet another essential skill to learn early on in Best Device for Rappelling and Belaying: The Sterling ATS Rappel/Belay device Best for First Time / Infrequent Users: Black Diamond ATC or Figure 8 Below, I talk a little bit about why it’s useful to buy a device specifically for canyoneering, and then I go in to more detail about why I chose the devices that I did. Wrapping the rope around ears can increase the friction and slow down the descending speed. By What is a Rappel Device? Rappel devices (also known as Belay Devices) are mechanical brake devices that control the speed of a rope when rappelling (or abseiling). Aug 20, 2024 · Are you looking for crack climbing gloves, single-pitch belay gloves, or a pair built to withstand the rigors of big wall climbing? After purchasing and testing 8 different pairs of gloves, we were able to compare rope handing protection, dexterity, durability, and aid climbing performance. This video shows the safest method for setting up a rappel for a new climber by keeping them on belay at all times. In a belay class, you'll learn about the different types of belaying (top-rope and lead), how to use the belay device, and the importance of communication between the Jul 11, 2025 · We test climbing belay devices for all types of climbing. This Tech Tip is about using the ATC-XP. But how do you rappel with an ATC? TRUBLUE Auto Belays offer the widest weight and height ranges of any modern auto belay system. Apr 22, 2025 · Rock Climbing 101: Basic Climbing, Belaying, & Rappelling Many of our favorite adventures at Outdoor Voyage involve rock climbing. 5 to 11 mm, half 7. In the event of a fall, expected or unexpected Communicating clearly when climbing is important for safety: Learn the usage of climbing commands such as belay on, up rope and others. There is often a lot of debate on exactly how to belay—with this article, the debate will be answered once and for all. Assisted-braking belay device: Easy to control, feed rope smoothly and aid in stopping falls. Top quality, great selection and expert advice you can trust. In this REI Expert Advice video, we show you how to prepare to belay, per Nov 10, 2022 · If you are interested in climbing, then you probably know about rappelling. Shop for Belay and Rappel Devices at REI - Browse our extensive selection of trusted outdoor brands and high-quality recreation gear. In a standard top rope setting, the belayer stands below the climber as they ascend, controlling Jul 24, 2025 · Concise belay devices reviews tailored to your needs. The traditional method of each climber using a tether/PAS to connect to the anchor, each person untying from their respective ends of the rope, threading the anchor, tossing each rope strand, and then each person rigging for a rappel separately, involves a LOT of steps and (usually Feb 10, 2020 · WHAT IS RAPPELLING? Rappelling is a technique used to descend a rope. Nov 6, 2022 · One of the climbing market’s most famous and trusted belay devices is the Black Diamond Air Traffic Controller or ATC. For example, some of them are built for all-around use, while others have very specific functions and may not work as well as Whether you finished a climb up a beautiful cliff wall or the journey started at the top, one of the most exhilarating ways down is with a rappel. Unfortunately, many of the rumors about the safety of rappelling are true. Figure-8 devices: Approved for rappelling, with some climbers preferring them over tubular devices. Find out how to pick the right one, use it safely, and keep it in top condition for your climbing trips. See full list on rei. It connects the rappeler to the May 7, 2024 · Rappelling requires equipment like a harness and rappel device to control the descent speed, whereas belaying involves using a belay device to manage rope tension for the climber's safety. Dec 16, 2022 · Instead, it’s figuring out which belay device is best amongst the myriad of belay devices on the market. Independent belay/rappel device reviews by real outdoors people.