Rope command

Under rope commands refers to the communication of two or more climber when climbing or ice climbing with respect to the handling of the rope .

Communication while climbing

When climbing, the partners in a rope team communicate with each other through so-called rope commands. These acoustic or visual rope commands are used to ensure that everything runs smoothly when climbing a tour. They are deliberately short and concise in order to ensure the smoothest possible communication even with poor acoustics and in extreme situations. The rope commands represent a not insignificant safety factor in mountaineering. The most well-known acoustic rope commands in German-speaking countries and their meaning are listed below.

command meaning Was standing! Lead climber has built a stand and can be removed from the safety device. Rope in! The lead climber has removed the safety device more safely and he should pull in the rope so that the followers can climb on the taut rope. Rope off! The lead climber pulled the rope in until it was taut. The lead climber now prepares the belay for his / her second climber. Progeny! The lead climber has prepared the safety device, the second climber (s) can start climbing. I'm coming! The next climber starts climbing. Firm! / Close! / Close! / Block! / Pull! / Tighten! Mostly used for top rope or post climbing, Safer tightens the rope so the climber can rest. When leading, this command is used to prepare the belayer for an expected fall or to pull in the slack rope in order to reduce the climber's fall height. From! Used for top rope and lead climbing in sport climbing. The climber has reached the end of the route or can or no longer wants to and wants to be let down. (Caution) rope! Used before abseiling or when pulling the rope (when top rope or after abseiling) to alert other climbers to the fact that the rope is being thrown / pulled down. Stone! Used when the climber has either kicked a rock or notices a rock falling down. Used to draw the attention of new climbers / other climbers to falling rocks.

In order to avoid misunderstandings with other rope teams, the rope commands could be supplemented with the name of the climbing partner.

Rope commands according to the doctrinal opinion for multi-pitch routes:

1. "Was standing"
2. "Rope on"
3. "Rope off"
4. "Progeny"
5. "I'm coming"

Reduced rope commands should also be used for reasons of noise reduction:

1. "Was standing"
2. "Progeny"

There are also visual rope commands such as B. the stretching out of both arms with the open palms of the hands for standing. In the alpine one also works directly over the ropes, since often no direct visual and acoustic contact is possible. For example, with a half or twin rope, a rope strand is pulled in several meters twice in a row in order to signal the belayer that it is standing.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ alpenverein-schleiden.de ( Memento of the original from April 30, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 

Web links

Wikibooks: rope commands  - learning and teaching materials