Choose from Three Options

• $19 for an all-day rock climbing admission for one ($25 value)
• $39 for an all-day rock climbing admission for two ($50 value)
• $59 for an all-day rock climbing admission for four ($100 value)

Climbing Commands: Vital Vocab

Because of the concentration and physical exertion involved, rock climbing doesn’t lend itself to long-winded dialogues. That’s why most climbers rely on basic commands to communicate with belayers and fellow climbers. To ensure safety, climbers and belayers should clarify commands with each other before beginning each climb, instead of waiting until they’re lost in the deep crags of Mount Rushmore Lincoln’s beard. Though there may be some regional variation, beginners should read up on a few basic terms before slipping on a harness:

Starting and Finishing

• Climber: “On belay?” Are you ready to belay me?
• Belayer: “Belay on.” I’m ready to belay.
• Climber: “Climbing.” I’m now climbing.
• Belayer: “Climb / Climb on.” Go ahead and climb. I am watching out for you.
• Climber: “Take!” Take up all the slack in the rope and prepare to hold my weight.
• Belayer: “Got you.” I’ve taken up all the slack in the rope and you can now let go of the wall, sit back, and relax.
• Climber: “Off belay.” I am in a secure position (often back on the ground) and you can stop belaying.
• Belayer: “Belay off.” I have taken the rope off the belay device (and often just gave you a high five/fist bump).

While Climbing:

• Climber: “Slack.” I need more slack in the rope.
• Climber: “Up rope.” I need less slack in the rope.
• Anybody: “Rock!” A rock or any other object is falling from above. All climbers should press themselves against the wall until they hear the word “clear.”
• Climber: “Rope.” I am dropping a rope. Watch out below.
• Climber: “Watch me!” I am worried I might fall.
• Climber: “Falling!” I am falling. Please hold me with your belay.
• Anyone: “Thank you.” The belayer is acknowledging that a command has been received, or the climber is thanking the belayer for obeying the command.