Rock Climbing Basics - VDiff Climbing Rock Climbing Basics - VDiff Climbing | Page 12

Clipping The Top Anchor
Once you get to the top of the wall, you'll
need to clip the rope through the top
anchor.
Different walls have different systems for
this – some have two snapgate
carabiners, some have one or two
screwgate carabiners that you'll need to
unscrew first. Ask one of the staff before
leading if in doubt!
It's important to make sure that the anchor
you clip does not have another rope
already running through it. Having 2 ropes
through the same anchor can damage
them.
Once you've clipped your rope through the
top anchor, you can be lowered down in
the same way as if you were top roping.
However, if you've attached your own
quickdraws on the way up, you'll need to
collect them on the way down.
Simply lower down, unclipping them from
both the bolt and rope and then clipping
them back to your gear loops. The belayer
will need to stop lowering you at each bolt
so you have time to do this.
Pulling The Rope Down
When you're pulling a lead rope down,
shout 'rope' before it falls, so that everyone
around you is expecting it – a falling rope
in the head hurts!
Make sure to pull the rope through so that
the falling end drops down through the
clipped quickdraws – this will slow it down
and make it safer.
VDiff – Rock Climbing Basics > Lead Climbing
44