How to Set Up Top Rope With Quickdraws

Top rope climbing is a great way for beginners to safely practice technique without any of the frightening heights and extreme conditions seen in Hollywood movies. A top rope, or a rope connected to the top of the climb, rarely leads to long falls. At the top of many climbing areas, you can find permanent anchors -- bolts drilled and secured in the rock. Any climber can build a top rope anchor from these bolts. Building a top rope anchor with two quickdraws is a safe way to enjoy a nice day of climbing with friends.

Things You'll Need

  • Established bolts
  • 2 quickdraws, identical length
  • 2 locking carabiners
  • Climbing rope
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Find your desired anchor: two climbing bolts in the rock in good condition. Attached to each bolt you should find a bolt hanger -- a piece of metal attached to the bolt with a hole for a carabiner. Check that the bolts and hangers do not appear worn or rotate freely.

    • 2

      Clip a quickdraw into each bolt from opposite directions. A quickdraw consists of two carabiners connected by a short sling and is usually bought pre-assembled. Hang the quickdraws in a mirror image of each other; climbers call this "opposite and opposed" and stress its importance in preventing the rope from becoming dislodged from the anchor. If possible, use a quickdraw with locking carabiners to maximize safety.

    • 3

      Hold the bottom carabiners of each quickdraw together in one hand. Verify that the gates, or openings, of each carabiner face in opposite directions. Clip the center of the rope into the bottom carabiner of each quickdraw. Lock the carabiners if applicable.

    • 4

      Ensure that both parts of the rope touch the ground. Ask someone on the ground to confirm this. Test pull from each side to check that the rope runs smoothly through the anchor.

    • 5

      Climb in the common top rope style. One end of the rope is connected to the climber. The rope runs from the climber to the quickdraw anchor, then back to the ground where a belayer safely holds the rope for the climber in a belay device.