Belay technique: taking up slack
Warnings
- Read the technical notice before viewing the following techniques.
- It is important to fully understand the information provided in the technical notice before using this complementary information
- Mastering these techniques requires training.
- Consult a professional before attempting to perform these techniques on your own.
Technique 1: hand over hand
It is suitable only for top-rope climbing as it doesn't work in situations where there is no tension in the climber-side rope. In this case, use the shuffle technique shown below.
Technique 2: shuffle technique
Recommended technique for quickly taking up lots of slack or when there is no tension in the climber-side rope. WARNING: the hand on the brake side slides along the rope, but must never let go of the rope.
Technique 3 (PBUS technique – Pull Brake Under Slide)
Variation of techniques 1 and 2. WARNING: the hand on the brake side slides along the rope, but must never let go of the rope.
Regardless of the technique used, never let go of the brake-side rope