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I must confess that this is something we (The Rockrats) never really adhered to. We made a bad habit of poor communication which occasionally landed us in trouble (usually only in the outdoor situations, however). We would have done well if we had heeded a calling system similar to the one below.

That said, I can bring to mind a few outdoor situations where verbal communication was useless, in particular the second pitch of “Training Day” in Fumakilla, Nyamuk, where there is no visual between climber and belayer and the wind carries away your calls. In such a case, communication occurs mostly through tugs on the rope.

The following is from Princeton University Outdoor Action:

Climbing Calls

These calls are designed to be easy to remember. The basic sequence goes 4, 3, 2, 1 in decreasing number of syllables. There is a paired response from the climber to her belayer at each point. The particular words are important because when it is hard to hear, the intonation and order of the syllables may help distinguish which call is beginning given.

Climber: “Ready to Climb” (4) = I’m ready

Belayer: “On Belay” (3) = I have you on belay

Climber: “Climbing” (2) = I’m starting to climb

Belayer: “Climb” (1) = Go ahead

Other Climbing Calls

Climber: “Slack” = I need extra rope

Belayer: “Thank You” = Received

Climber: “Up Rope” = I have too much slack

Belayer: “Thank You” = Received

Climber: “That’s Me” = The slack is gone

Belayer: “Thank You” = Received

Climber: “Falling” = I’m going to fall

Belayer: Usually no need to respond verbally

Climber: “Belay Off” = Request after reaching the top

Belayer: “Belay off” = You are no longer on belay

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