Climbing Voice Commands

Climbing voice commands are basic verbal commands that rock climbers use to communicate with each other when they're climbing. Learn here why climbers use voice commands and what the basic voice commands are.

“On belay” is the first climbing voice command used by a climbing team at the base of a route as well as at both the beginning and end of a pitch higher up the cliff.

“Climbing!” is a climbing voice command that means “I am starting to climb” after you are on belay.

“Climb on” is a climbing voice command that means “I acknowledge that you're climbing and I have you on belay.” Learn when to use "Climb on" when you're climbing.

“Off belay” is a climbing voice command that means “I am safe and you can take me off belay.” Learn when to use "Off belay" when you're climbing.

“Belay off” is the climbing voice command used when the belayer is taking the climber off belay.

Voice or verbal climbing commands can be difficult in bad weather, wind, or above roaring rivers. Use line-of-sight to easily communicate with your climbing partner and use hand signals instead of words as climbing commands. Learn more here about climbing hand signals.

"ROCK!" is a climbing voice command used to warn climbers and others below if you accidently dislodge a chunk of rock. Yelling "ROCK!" allows them to get out of harm's way and avoid becoming a climbing accident statistic.

Lowering off a sport climb after successfully leading it is one of the most dangerous parts of rock climbing. Use the proper voice commands and clearly communicate your intentions to your belayer before lowering and you will avoid bad accidents when you're climbing. Learn here what you should do after leading a sport route.