Photo gallery Belay is the way to keep danger away
Belaying is what makes climbing safe, with a rope tied to the climber on a gym wall or rock face to catch them if they fall. But it has to be done right, with all the knots tied properly and a skilled partner on the ground. To build the foundation for safe climbing, instructors offer top rope belay lessons at the 32-foot-tall Mount Mendota climbing wall in the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center.
![A man holds a rope and ties a knot, while a group of people watch him.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2024/03/Top-Rope-Belay-Lesson-2024-03-15MK-7665-1024x681.jpg)
Photo by MK Denton
Christopher Machtel, a Rec Well climbing instructor, teaches climbers how to tie a clove hitch.![Several hands grab a rope and manipulate it.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2024/03/Top-Rope-Belay-Lesson-2-2024-03-15MK-3529-1024x681.jpg)
Photo by MK Denton
Climbers practice tying a clove hitch, a knot used to secure a middle section of rope to an object.![A person climbs up a climbing wall, with ropes attached.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2024/03/Top-Rope-Belay-Lesson-2024-03-15MK-7876-682x1024.jpg)
Photo by MK Denton
Mikayla Siegal climbs up the Mount Mendota Climbing Wall.![Machtel teaches climbers how to belay. Typically, one hand is the brake and the other the guide.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2024/03/Top-Rope-Belay-Lesson-2-2024-03-15MK-3593-1024x681.jpg)
Photo by MK Denton
Machtel teaches climbers how to belay. Typically, one hand is the brake and the other the guide.![A person turns and smiles as she climbs up a wall.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2024/03/Top-Rope-Belay-Lesson-2-2024-03-15MK-3703-1024x681.jpg)
Photo by MK Denton
Jillian Prescott enjoys her climb, with the safety of the belay rope.![A man stands talking to a group of people, with a big window in the background.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2024/03/Top-Rope-Belay-Lesson-2024-03-15MK-7856-1024x681.jpg)
Photo by MK Denton
Machtel demonstrates how to properly use the belay rope while climbing as the class watches.![A person assists too other people on a belay rope.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2024/03/Top-Rope-Belay-Lesson-2024-03-15MK-8018-1024x681.jpg)
Photo by MK Denton
Ali Mueller (left) teaches Mikayla Siegel (center) and Charlotte VanHecke (right) how to belay.