Setting Up a Guide Plate, Belaying and Lowering from the Top

Setting Up a Guide Plate, Belaying and Lowering from the Top

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Although "Rock Climb" will have more than 100 videos (7 hours+ of content), the program is designed to include maximum information in a concise way that is easy to understand and assimilate. For that reason most chapters are built on the knowledge acquired in previous ones (e.g., Rope Basics → Top-Roping → Lead Climbing → Sport Climbing → Trad. Climbing).

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Rock climbing is fun but there is an element of risk. In some situations if you are not careful, the chances of serious injury or death are very real. A safety oriented mindset is essential.

The right attitude includes not thinking that just by watching videos and reading articles you will become a safe and experienced climber. Experience comes with practice. Practice means making occasional mistakes and learning from them.

We believe qualified in-person training should be the main way of learning and progressing in rock climbing. A good mentor, guide or teacher will make learning as safe as it can be, by assessing your level and every situation.

Our videos are meant to inform and entertain. Although our videos can be very helpful, they are not meant to replace in-person teaching by a qualified professional, nor they are meant to replace reading and understanding the instructions and manuals of rock climbing equipment—which we strongly advise you to do. (Manufacturers recommendations occasionally change, and it is a good idea to stay updated by visiting their websites.)

Have fun and be safe out there!

[vlaaady]

This is the best guy, simplest explanations!

[passionateclimber]

Excellent video!! 😀. This video simplifies the technique of lowering a follower when belaying in guide mode. Will apply this (biner method) going forward. Thanks Roddy 😀👍

Greetings from South Africa. Heinrich

[Mdjagg]

As you mentioned in another reply, redirecting the brake strand is the way to go when lowering with a guide mode atc, for better control.

[joshuacilliers]

Great production as always, however I think for a topic like this it's worth showing the way to lower by using bodyweight and a backup. In practice I've found the biner method to be either impossible (esp with larger seconds) or rather sketchy, as there isn't really a sweet spot between fully locked off and fully open in guide mode.

[serges]

Clipping the carabiner through the keeper loop as shown at 0:52 helps with the skinny-rope problem discussed at 1:15

[Mitzbergatc]

Lowering off on guide mode as shown is massively dangerous. On your grigri (from the top) video you showed how to redirect the loose strand, and this should be done here too, not to mention a 3rd hand (prusik) would be recommended too, or a LSD (Load Strand Direct).

[lawlawlo]

Should probably mention that the second method is a bad idea unless you are specifically using the DMM Pivot.

[rockclimbinghacks]

I used to use a guide device like this, but now I prefer the munter because it's easy to lower. It doesn't lock, but neither does a regular atc.