What is a 'belay' in rock climbing?

What is a 'belay' in rock climbing?

Daniel Wade (Rock Climbing Manager) gives expert video advice on: What is 'top-rope' rock climbing?; What is 'sport climbing'?; What kind of equipment do I need in top-rope climbing? and more...

A belay is a system of braking the rope while a climber is moving on the rock. Generally we'll have a belay device that's attached to our belay donut on our harness, which the rope feeds through and acts as a braking mechanism. So as climbers move up the rock, you pull the rope through the belay device and if they fall and there's a friction that's created by pulling on the belay device. Which essentially acts as a brake and stops the falling climber or holds them in place.