Winter skills 3.4: how to belay on winter climbs

Expert tips for belaying when winter climbing:

Check the rock quality with visual and tap test
Cut/use a comfortable stance
Equalised slings can ease changeovers
Keep belay plate clipped in when threading/unthreading
Stash axes carefully to avoid the rope flicking them out
Agree action plan before leaving the belay
Clean cracks to seat gear on rock
Cams require particular attention to clean the rock
Visible rock placements are a gift - use them!

This is one of a series of instructional films produced exclusively for BMC TV in association with AMI (the Association of Mountaineering Instructors), Lowe Alpine and DMM.

http://www.ami.org.uk/
http://lowealpine.com/
http://dmmclimbing.com/

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