Belaying a climber
Posted: Jun 1, 2015 11:14 am
The most recent NSS News, the '13/'14 ACA, includes an article about caver falls by Tony Canike. Among the many things needed to prepare for safe navigation, Tony mentions the need to "learn to rig and give a quick belay". While I could successfully belay a climber with my vertical gear, I realize that I lack the knowledge or skill to provide a belay on those intermediate climbs or slopes that would not normally warrant the use of such. I thought much of this during a quick trip to WV last week. I brought along a friend who has gone caving with me only a few times. The main purpose of the trip was to visit a caving vendor south of Lewisburg, but on the way back I stopped at a big gated cave, well known and well traveled, for a quick, easy look around. Only a couple of hundred feet into the cave is a small chimney over a drop to the stream level. The depth is 10 feet or so. This chimney is easy, and so inconsequential that I had forgotten that it existed despite five fairly recent visits . But for my companion it was the end of the line. Now, we are planning another caving trip, and while my friend is eager to atone for his timidity, it would be foolish of me to go into the next attempt unprepared. We haven't decided on a cave yet, but most of the ones I'm considering have at least some climbing. They are by no mean vertical caves.
In situations like these, it seems that carrying vertical gear is unreasonable. However, if I am carrying only a length of webbing, how will I best provide a belay? What is the minimum in gear that can be used to safely belay a climber? How does one decide between a hand line and a belay? What if your climber is vastly heavier than yourself, the belayer?
In situations like these, it seems that carrying vertical gear is unreasonable. However, if I am carrying only a length of webbing, how will I best provide a belay? What is the minimum in gear that can be used to safely belay a climber? How does one decide between a hand line and a belay? What if your climber is vastly heavier than yourself, the belayer?