What Is Top Rope Climbing? Improving Skills

If you watch a video of climbers climbing an outer slope or training wall, they use a rope. In most cases, this is top rope climbing. More about what top rope climbing is will be discussed in this article.

Features of climbing on the top rope

If you wonder what is top rope climbing, it is noted as one of the most popular climbing styles. This is a favorite of most climbers because everyone can use it.

At first, you won’t need a lot of expensive equipment and climbing shoes. In this case, the person is completely safe.

The essence of lead climbing on the top roping is that the climber must fix himself or herself to the end of the rope.

It needs to be threaded through special anchors at the top of the climb and returned to the person who provides belay at the bottom of the climbing route.

As the climber moves, the person, who belays him or her, must loosen the rope. If the climbers fall, the insured catch him or her. If lead climbing is carried out on the top roping, then the climber falls only as much as the rope is dynamically stretched.

When falling or reaching the top of the cliff, the belayer must lower the climber. This climbing technique can be practiced both outdoors and indoors.

If indoors the rope is fixed through anchors at the top of the wall, then outside the anchors are fixed on top of the rock.

Safe anchors that form on the street can’t do everything. Special climbing skills are required that come with experience. If the anchor at the top does not meet the desired requirements, the climber can be seriously injured, or even die.

Safety

As you know, the rock climbing journey belongs to the category of dangerous sports. However, if lead climbing involves the use of top roping, then safety will increase. However, even the use of top roping can be disastrous if safety rules are not followed.

The climber needs to master the belaying under the supervision of an experienced teacher. You can also consult an experienced rock climbing guide.

If you are going to practice on real rocks, it is recommended to wear a helmet. If the stones from above pour, this prevents severe injuries.

The climbing helmet must be the one that insures the climber. Before you start climbing, the equipment must be checked several times.

Make sure the helmet fits properly, and the harness is secure. The knot must be passed through several attachment points. It also needs to make climber ties properly.

You have to make a durable safety top rope anchor that allows you to distribute the load. All climbers who are part of the group must have modern equipment and quality climbing shoes.

What equipment do you need for top rope climbing?

Before you start rock climbing, you need to purchase quality equipment. Be prepared so that equipment for rock climbing won’t be cheap. If you are just starting rock climbing, you have to purchase quality climbing shoes and a harness.

If you plan to climb the top roping outside, you need several positions of climbing gear, namely:

• special helmet for rock climbing;
• belaying equipment;
• curbs for top roping;
• carabiners supplemented with locks;
• anchor system for rock climbing;
• climber clips;
• a bag with chalk;
• static and dynamic ropes for rock climbing;
• tubular webbing and braces for top roping.

It is extremely important to choose the right anchor system for rock climbing and climbing shoes. An anchor system may look like an ordinary sling, on which there are several locking carabiners. However, the system helps the climber to be safe.

If you select the correct model, the anchor at the top is secure correctly and helps you achieve your goal. The simplest model for rope climb has several quick puffs. There are models consisting of two or more carabiners and a lock. The kit includes a rope, slings, and tubular straps.

The best belay device for top rope climbing

If you are planning to do top rope climbing, look into Petzl Grigri’s belay device.

The belay device is supplemented with braking. Such equipment is required outside and inside the gym.

If you prefer a tubular belay device, check out the models from Black Diamond ATC. This belay device is more affordable.

Practical advice for beginners

If you are just planning to do top rope climbing, there are a few guidelines to follow.

Sign up for courses

You can train in the indoor climbing gyms, where there are special walls with grips. That’s enough to learn the basics and keep you safe.

Looking for a guide

You need to find an experienced guide who teaches you how to lead climb outdoors. Guides ensure clients and teach new skills. It is they who teach anchor building, rappelling, ascent, etc.

Skill improvement

Regardless of which training method you choose, you need to learn all the basics of top-roping before you start climbing outdoors. You have to put in a lot of time and effort to master the technique of checking equipment, preventing falls, and installing anchors.

Every sportsman needs to know how to do climber ties, load a belay, and maintain a tight rope. It is better to train or improve in the climbing gym, and not on the rocks. This keeps you safe.

What skills do you need for top rope climbing?

The technique involving the use of top roping is the best option for beginners. This is enough to feel the thrill, while the climber does not put himself or herself at risk. Also, you do not have to spend a lot of time and money on training.

Almost all gym climbing that has special grip walls offer basic skills courses. You can also ask a friend who has lead climbing experience to teach you everything. If you’re planning an indoor lead climb, you’ll need to know how the climber’s harness is put on, figure 8 works, and the belay is created. It is also important to know how to fall correctly.

Features knitting figure 8

If you plan on lead climbing, it is important to know how the final figure eight is knitted. This knot connects your harness and rope. The training in sport climbing won’t take long. However, you have to train until you learn how to knit a knot quickly with your eyes closed.

Before starting the ascent, it is necessary to check the quality and strength of the knot several times. You need to tie a figure eight at the end of the rope, and then make an additional twist on top. Figure eight must be distinct.

The end of the climbing rope must be passed through the harness, and repeat the figure eight. You should have over 6 inches of the tail that sticks out from above. You can also tie an extra knot on the tail; however, this step is optional.

If you are climbing a real rock, more knots are required. They should be used as needed. If you are a beginner and use the services of a guide, then one eight is enough. This is also enough if you train in the climbing gym.

Proper fall

Many people have a fear of heights. It is extremely difficult to overcome if you are a beginner. Many are afraid to fall and break their legs, even at a height of 10 meters. Using the top roping method can cause injury and scratches if you fall incorrectly.

In case of a fall, you need to push off the wall. Yes, many try to grab the wall. However, this cannot be done. If you push off, you can protect your hands and knees. It is better to start training to fall from a small height. Legs should be in front. This prevents the body from hitting the wall.

By the same principle, you need to descend from a height. You need to walk up the wall with your feet in front of you. If the person belaying you keeps the rope tight, the fall does not last more than a few feet.

Top roping belay

To insure the top roping, you must pass it through the belay device. This ensures correct orientation. After you have to check the settings. Next, the climbing rope is pulled through the brake arm device. This must be done on the right side.

With your left hand, you must grab the rope below the brake hand. Slide the brake arm up the rope, just don’t let go. Repeat the steps and keep the taut rope. As soon as the climber is at the top, you need to lower the lift. To do this, the device is slightly weakened. The brake hand must never be released.

The rope can be constantly taut or loose, depending on the climber’s desire. The most important thing is to practice and remember that the braking hand should not throw the rope.

The difference between sport climbing and trad climbing

Sports top rope climbing is practiced in special halls and outdoors. That is, bolts are located along the entire climbing route. The rope must be clamped through the guy wires so that the progress of the ascent can be maintained. This lifting option is safer because the bolts are durable.

Classic top rope climbing involves the use of different parts, including nuts and cams. This increases safety during the ascent. Trad climbing is a very natural lifting method. Cracks in the rock are used to install equipment. The disadvantage of trad climbing is the increased risk.

If the climber falls, he or she knocks down the equipment inserted into the wall. This is fraught with frequent accidents. Classic top rope climbing is not suitable for indoors.

Differences in top rope climbing and bouldering

Top rope climbing can transition into bouldering and vice versa. A detailed comparison will be described next.

Security difference

If you are bouldering, you are more likely to get injured than if you are climbing on the top rope. You have to fall further due to the rope stretch. Landing on the ground even with rope stretch is more difficult than on a dynamic rope.

Injuries associated with bouldering can be in the form of a fracture or dislocation of the ankle. The muscles of the wrist or fingers may be stretched. More serious injuries are extremely rare. If you are climbing on the top rope, it is extremely difficult to injure your wrist or ankles.

After all, the fall is soft, and you can control everything. However, complex injuries are quite common. Lethal outcomes are not excluded. For safety reasons, high-quality equipment is required.

The difficulty of the top roping

Top roping and boulder climbing routes may vary in difficulty. This greatly complicates the comparison. Bouldering requires physical strength and precision. If you use the top roping method, mental attitude, and stamina are required.

These are very different sports. In the case of bouldering, you often have to deal with overhangs. Therefore, you have to apply a lot of strength, and use different techniques to lift. Lifting is carried out more due to the hands than the legs.

The top-roping technique involves the use of long movements. The most difficult top roping is for beginners because they have to get rid of their fear of heights. The routes in top roping are distinguished by several difficult sections. The main advantage of top roping is that you can arrange breaks.

Who is top rope climbing for?

Quite often, people think that top rope climbing is only for beginners. However, it is not. Top rope climbing is the best solution for beginners because they feel safe and do not face risks. However, everyone can use this technique.

Typically, experienced climbers use this technique due to its numerous advantages. They have the opportunity to overcome rope routes that go beyond their comfort zone. Thanks to the presence of a person who insures, the climber can pass difficult sections gradually.

Climbers can complete difficult levels without the risk of falling or losing their climbing equipment. The undoubted advantage is that you can repeatedly overcome difficult sections. It is possible to work out difficult levels to master key movements.

You can practice until the key moves are mastered and you remember them. Climbing a mountain with the top roping is much easier and faster if you use the lead rope. After all, the route has already been laid. The technique is appropriate for both solo climbers and beginners.

Groups consisting of several people approach the rock and fix the ropes for numerous routes. Then, one by one, they begin to climb up. You can work out in the climbing gym or outside.

FAQ

When it comes to top-rope climbing in the climbing gyms or outside, there are many questions to ask.

Results

As you can see, top rope climbing is pretty easy. This is the optimal technique for beginners who are just planning to climb the mountain. Read also: The best ways of climbing warm-up