What is Top Roping? It's a form of rock climbing where safety for the climber is provided via a rope strung from the top of the cliff. The rope is anchored securely via bolts or passive protection and camming devices. As the climber ascends the cliff, their partner pulls the other end of the rope through a friction device. This action of providing security for the climber is called, "belaying". If the climber should fall, the belayer locks off the friction device and takes their weight with relative ease.