Top roping

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Both the rope up and its attachment to the climber can be seen in this view of top roping in the Black Forest, Germany.

Top-rope climbing (or Top roping) is a style in climbing in which a rope, used for the climber's safety, runs from a belayer at the foot of a route through one or more carabiners connected to an anchor system at the top of the route and back down to the climber^[1]. Assuming that the route is predominantly bottom-to-top; that the anchor holds; and that the belayer pays attention, the top-rope climber generally will not fall more than a short distance and can thus safely attempt even the most difficult routes. Most top rope anchors can be reached through non-technical means, such as by hiking or scrambling up to it.

Top roping is most often done on routes that can't be lead climbed for one reason or another. Top roping has a long and proud history in the climbing world and is favored for its safety and low environmental impact.^{[citation needed]} It is the most common style used at indoor climbing walls and is also used in situations where other methods would be unsafe or environmentally damaging. For example, in the areas of Kent and Sussex in south-east England, the sandstone rock is soft and prone to erosion, so placing protection into the rock would be both damaging and unreliable. There, top-roping from permanent anchors and solo climbing are the only forms of ascent allowed.

By contrast, in some other areas, top roping is frowned upon for various reasons - including possible erosion from people trying routes too difficult for them or a lack of suitable top-rope anchor points.

For top roping, a low-stretch (static or semi-static) rope is recommended to prevent rope wear and rock erosion and to ensure maximum safety in the event of a fall. Most practitioners would recommend the use of two screwgate carabiners to provide backup in case one becomes undone. A low-stretch sling (often made of cordlet or webbing) or additional rope to attach these to the anchor point is also widely used. Where the anchor point is not a firm bolt, at least two separate points should be used.

Climber being lowered by the belayer, with weight on the top rope and hands outstretched for balance while "walking" down.

It is important to arrange the system in such a way that as little moving rope comes into contact with the rock as possible - otherwise, it is possible to irreversibly damage ropes through friction or cutting. Multiple slings, or a long, adjustable-length sling are often the best options.

Top roped climbing is often psychologically easier and safer than sport climbing, in which the lead climber clips into preplaced bolts in the rock, or traditional climbing, in which protection is placed along the route by a lead climber. Many novice climbers initially experience the sport through top roping.