There's No Layer Like a Belayer

When I'm up on a climb wondering if I could trust my foothold, I don't want to have to wonder if I could trust my belayer.

Emotional safety is rarely talked about in climbing. It's time we discuss what we can do to make climbing more emotionally fun.

Preface: Belaying is an activity in itself. It's not that thing you do because others did it for you.

Preface again: If these statements were universal truths, they'd be carved in stone. It's all opinion but maybe you should consider them.

• Don't distract belayers. Whatever you want to ask them, it can wait. A line usually takes less than 20 minutes to climb. We have a weekend to spare. Your chat can wait.
• Please avoid talking when belaying. It can wait.
• Please take falls. A chatty belayer might be a bored belayer. It's not fun to belay someone who won't commit to a gnarly move.
• Check in on your belayer. Say thank you after a catch or check if they are still okay to belay.
• Normalize switching belays. 40 minutes of standing and pulling rope is not fun.
• Gift a Beer on Your Send. Belaying might be a labor of love but it's still labor. We all know that beer is a working person's favorite drink.