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On the Last Pitch
Remember, B-U-D goes down. One pitch's belayer was the downhill rope handler on the last pitch. Upon the BELAY OFF call, the downhill rope handler immediately moves to set up the next belay point.

Before the Pitch Starts
The belayer should have a new system set up as soon as possible to expedite movement of the litter. With practice, this can be done within thirty seconds. (assuming a short walk to the next belay point.) See how to set up a belay.

After the pitch
Remember the downhill rotation: BUD goes down. The belayer becomes the Uphill Rope Handler.

Look at a list of commands commonly used by the belayer,(COMING SOON) or
See what the Uphill Rope Handler will be doing, or
Go back the the beginning

Uphill Rope Handler, going downhill

Before the Pitch Starts
Initially, the URH checks the litter's tie-in to the belay system. This involves making sure the figure eight is still secure and backed up and that the biners are opposite, opposed, and locked.

During the Pitch
The URH takes care of the rope, padding it where appropriate and watching for snags. He also relays commands between the litter team and the belayer.

After the pitch
Remember the downhill rotation: BUD goes down. The URH becomes the DRH.

Go on and see what the Downill Rope Handler will be doing, or
Go back the the beginning

Downhill Rope Handler, going downhill

On the Last Pitch
Remember, B-U-D goes down. One pitchs downhill rope handler was the uphill rope handler on the last pitch. After relaying BELAY OFF to the litter team, the uphill rope handler moves down to the litter as rapidly as practical.

Before the Pitch Starts
The downhill rope handler should be surveying the terrain below to pick a route that is as straight and obstacle free as possible. Keep in mind the litter & team must fit between any trees, rocks, etc.

During the Pitch
The downhill rope handler continues guiding the progress of the litter. He should warn the team of upcoming obstacles and hazards which he cannot remove. The DRH should continually have a chosen point for the next belay. Once the belayer calls TWO-OH, the litter should stop and the belay point changed, if practical. Under no circumstance should the litter continue downhill after the ONE-OH call.

After the pitch
Remember the downhill rotation: BUD goes down. The downhill rope handler becomes the belayer. Once BELAY OFF is called, the next belay should be established ASAP. With practice, this can easily be done in thirty seconds.

Look at a list of commands commonly used by the uphill rope handler, (SOON) or
See what the Belayer will be doing, or
Go back the the beginning

Downhill Rope Handler, going uphill

On the Last Pitch
Remember, if you go uphill, you're D-U-B (i.e. dumb). One pitch's downhill rope handler was the belayer on the last pitch. After relaying BELAY OFF to the litter team and uphill rope handler, the belayer moves upslope to help the new belayer (old uphill rope handler).

Before the Pitch Starts
The downhill rope handler has few specific pre-pitch tasks. Just be helpful.

During the Pitch
Belaying uphill is quite difficult; the dowhill rope handler makes the job easier by helping move rope around the tree. The key consideration is to prevent your fingers from EVER coming between the rope and the tree. If the team fell while your fingers were in that position, you could lose them.

After the pitch
Remember the uphill rotation: Going up is D-U-B (dumb). The downhill rope handler becomes the uphill rope handler. Once BELAY OFF is called, the new uphill rope handler should proceed upslope to the next belay point.

Look at a list of commands commonly used by the downhill rope handler, (SOON) or
See what the Uphill Rope Handler will be doing, or
Go back the the beginning

Uphill Rope Handler, going uphill

On the Last Pitch
Remember, if you go uphill, you're D-U-B (i.e. dumb). One pitch's uphill rope handler was the downhill rope handler on the last pitch. After BELAY OFF is called, the downhill rope handler moves upslope.

Before the Pitch Starts
The uphill rope handler should get any uphill slack out of the belayer's way.

During the Pitch
The uphill rope handler has two purposes: 1) to keep slack out of the belayer's way, and 2) choose the path for next pitch. This is accomplished by continually keeping slight tension in the rope while moving uphill. In chosing her path, the uphill rope handler must consider that she can negotiate some terrain & passages that a whole litter team cannot. (e.g. don't do through a two-foot wide space between two trees.) Going uphill (just as down) the path should be parallel to the slope to avoid penduluming.

At all points during hte pitch, the uphill rope handler shoudl have a belay site picked for immediate use if needed. The belayer's call of TWO-OH to the uphill rope handler is a signal that the pitch will soon be over and a new belay point will be needed.

After the pitch
Remember the uphill rotation: Going up is D-U-B (dumb). The uphill rope handler becomes the belayer. Once BELAY OFF is called, the new belayer should be able to set up her belay point within thirty seconds.

Look at a list of commands commonly used by the uphill rope handler, (SOON) or
See what the Belayer will be doing, or
Go back the the beginning

Belayer, going uphill

On the Last Pitch
Remember, if you go uphill, you're D-U-B (i.e. dumb). One pitch's belayer was the uphill rope handler on the last pitch. When TWO-OH is called, the uphill rope handler should have the next belay site chosen. Upon the BELAY OFF call, the uphill rope handler immediately moves to set up the next belay point.

During the Pitch
The belayer is continually responsible for the safety of the litter team. Whenever the team is on belay, the belayer should be able to arrest a fall. If unable at any time, the belayer should call STOP, go off belay, and remedy the situation. This is especially mportant when the litter team advances faster than the belayer can take up the rope. Don't be bashful about calling UP SLOWER or even stopping them momentarily. If the litter team falls on a slack rope, they could be injured, you could bite tree or both.
Also, the belayer should keep track of the amount of rope remaining for the pitch. When 20 feet remain, the uphill rope handler should be notified so he can select a new belay point. This call is made to expedite setup of the next belay point, and as such is directed at the uphill rope handler. Do not call TWO-OH to the litter team. They can see this themselves.

After the pitch
Remember the uphill rotation: Going up is D-U-B (dumb). The belayer becomes the Downhill Rope Handler.

Look at a list of commands commonly used by the belayer,(COMING SOON) or
See what the Downhill Rope Handler will be doing, or
Go back the the beginning

Litter Captain

back to the beginning

How to set up a belay

Stand uphill and across the rope from the tree, facing away from the tree.

Stretch out both arms and grab the rope in each had, running it behind your back.

The uphill hand will become your brake hand.

Move around the tree so that the rope forms an open loop around your back.

Turn so that the non-brake hand side of your body is pointing toward the tree.

Establish secure footing.

You're ready!

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