Top Rope Climbing Test**
About the Certification
Whether it is your first time or have been climbing for years, top rope certification is your starting point into the climbing world. This certification will allow you to top rope climb at all partnered GCA climbing gyms.
(maybe a “find gym near you” hyperlink here to take them to find a gym?)
Test
To become GCA Top Rope Climbing certified, the following test must be passed at any GCA partnered gym:
Equipment
- Climber must have a UIAA/CE certified sit type harness with a belay loop that is less than 5 years old and has no signs of excessive wear
(feel like we could have links here eventually if people need to buy gear, to take them to our site or others)
Pre-Climb Check
- Pockets are empty of phones and items
- Full gear check for excessive wear
- Check harness is on correctly (double backed, properly fitting above hips, legs through leg loops, no twists, shirt tucked in)
- Attached to the rope side closest to the wall
- Rope is looped through both hard points on harness correctly
- Use a figure 8 follow through knot with 5 sets of 2 parallel lines
- Figure 8 knot has 3-6 inches of tail. If more use finisher knot
- Figure 8 knot is ~3 inches away from tie-in points
Partner Check
- Belayer’s harness is on correctly (double backed, properly fitting above hips, legs through leg loops, no twists, shirt tucked in)
- Belayer is attached to the rope farthest from the wall
- Belayer’s device is loaded and oriented correctly to the diagrams
- Belayer’s carabiner is locked
- Belayer’s carabiner is attached correctly to the belay device
- Belayer’s carabiner is correctly connected to the belay loop
- Belayer’s gate is facing away from brake hand
- Use proper climbing commands to communicate beginning of climbing
During Climb
- Climber must stay on route for the oriented rope they are tied to
- Climber must not put themselves between the wall and belayer side of rope
- Climber must not stick their hand in hanging quickdraws or bolts
- Climber must communicate to belayer if they wish to take
Lowering
- Climber must communicate to belayer when they wish to be lowered
- Climber must remain in a seated position leaning away from wall until they reach the ground
Lead Rope