Bottom belayer

Vertical caving terminology and methods > SRT basic terms

Bottom belayer

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A bottom belayer, belaying someone who is abseiling.

A fellow caver or climber, who holds the down rope, and can pull on it to increase the friction, slowing the descent of whoever is abseiling. It is also possible to use a pulley on the down rope at the pitch base to allow the bottom belayer to stand somewhere else, to avoid hazards such as falling rocks. Used only while learning SRT, since a beginner might make the mistake of letting go of the down rope, or might not hold it tightly enough. Cavers who are proficient at SRT should not be relying on a second person in this way. Can only be used with a descender, not for body abseiling.


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