Requirement

10. Belaying: twelve turns holding somebody else's rope

Required Often forgotten

Five parts. Four of them are counted in threes and all four need other people climbing and rappelling: three different climbers, three different rappellers.

Warning. COUNT THIS REQUIREMENT BEFORE YOU START THE BADGE. Three different climbers belayed, three climbs backed up, three different rappellers belayed, three rappels backed up: twelve turns on a rope, and every one of them needs SOMEBODY ELSE to be climbing or rappelling while you hold it. Add requirements 11(b) and 12(c) and the badge is eighteen rope sessions in total. This is earned in a group on a supervised site across several sessions, not in an afternoon. Book the sessions first and fit requirements 1 to 9 around them.

What this is made of

10(a). Why belaying matters, and when it is necessary
10(b). Belay three different climbers on three different routes
10(c). Back up the belayer on three different climbs
10(d). Belay three different rappellers on three different routes
10(e). Back up the belayer on three different rappels

Where this step comes from

Climbing Merit Badge Requirements (Merit Badge Hub, last modified 2025-09-19), Requirement 10

Notes and warnings

What this is made of

Where this step comes from