Posted: 9/8/2002 9:51:39 AM EDT
| i need to find a palce to learn how to rappel in michigan/southeast, who does this |
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See if you have an REI Co-op in your area. They usually hold climbing classes on a frequent basis, and should be able to give you a "basics" class in a few hours. If no REI, look around for an "outdoor products" store in your area. If they sell webbing and climbing equipment, they should be able to help. Other sources - Check local high schools for references to coaches who might do it after hours on a "consultant" basis, or for "adult education" night classes. Local community colleges. Ask a local firefighter. Hell, come to Ill. for a weekend and I'll teach you [:)] Worse comes to worse, [s]check out[/s]buy [i]On Rope[/i] by the California Mountain Company (CMC). (There's also a good book just called [i]Rapelling[/i], but I forget the author.) [:O][b][red]DANGER WILL ROBINSON DANGER[/b][:O]Following the advice below is NOT THE SAFE PATH AND MAY RESULT IN INJURY. IT IS [b]NOT[/b] A RECOMMENDED SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL HANDS-ON TRAINING. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.[/red] Then get some equipment, start out small (like horizontal), and [b][u]slowly[b][u] add height. A straight flight of stairs, a first floor window, rope run over the top of a one-story garage (good for practicing wall-standing), from a truss or basement beam (stand on a ladder, clip in, tie off, have friend remove ladder/step off, practice unlockinging and slow rapp. to floor - 3 ft) STUDY FIRST - ROPE LATER. You should know your knots, tools, and toys ("hardware and software") backwards and forwards BEFORE clipping in. On rope upside down 25' up IS NOT the place to figure out that you can't unlock the gate on "X" brand 'biner under weight, or you roped up backwards and are now stuck (lucky) or watching your brake catastrophically fail (unlucky, and far too common). If you're somewhat clued in, I apologize for the rant. I taught myself and then some friends almost 20 years ago, and now work for a FD doing this full-time. Got several 100 drops in before formal education. Still took more classes, got more hands-on. Still have somebody else double check my handiwork before putting the butt on-line. It's your ass. Protect as you see fit. Tango7 |
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Quoted: ... I bet there is a ARMY recruitment office close by. They will teach you [;D] yes they will, they'll even provide all the equipment! ... but the equipment is not the latest and greatest (but it is functional). They'll toss your @ss off of cliffs, buildings and helicopters.. and you get paid to boot!! The commecial class is the most cost effective, quickest and probably a bit more satisfying in the end [:D] |
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Quoted: Quoted: ... I bet there is a ARMY recruitment office close by. They will teach you [;D] yes they will, they'll even provide all the equipment! ... but the equipment is not the latest and greatest (but it is functional). They'll toss your @ss off of cliffs, buildings and helicopters.. and you get paid to boot!! The commecial class is the most cost effective, quickest and probably a bit more satisfying in the end [:D] Maybe, but where else but the Army can you fast rope down from a helicopter with a 100 lb ruck and armed to the teeth? On a (slightly) more serious note: If you have a high school JROTC program in your area, odds are good there is a rappelmaster certified retired Army NCO in your area - figure out who he is and start schmoozing. |