Posted: 5/10/2007 7:13:22 PM EDT
| Does anyone here do any serious rappelling? Ive been looking into it lately for an adventureous sport to do. Any information you have would be great, such as equipment, techniques, etc. |
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Rappelling is not a sport, it's what climbers do to get back down. They don't like doing it very much so they improvise, and do what they can to keep gear to a minimum. They also sometimes hurry the process and accidents are most common in this phase of the climb. OK, some rappelling is a sport, rapping down waterfalls and waterways and rapping during technical hikes. My kids took me on this technical hike last year and before it was over I was glad I had at least done a little rapping before -- enough to have some idea what I was doing. Look at the general information section on the Petzl website -- It'll get you started if you're just starting out. |
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I rock climb all the time -so I do end up rappelling quite a bit. Its generally the least favorite part of the experience for me. I'd prefer a walk-off to a climb better, since when you rap *everything* must be right, and alot of the equipment is loaded (as opposed to climbing where the rope and gear is really only a safety/backup.) Get some good instruction, find a good mentor. Double check everything. Then check it again. Then have your partner check it. Do some research on knots, learn to tie them well. If rapping with 2 ropes tied together most people I know use the EDK -" Euro Death Knot". Despite the name, it actually tests out better than an over hand figure eight (the 8 rolls at surprisingly low loads). Dress the knot well (make it picture perfect) and make sure the tails of the knot are long enough too -incase it does roll. There are some knots that are "better" but tend to hang up when you pull them down. That tends to put you in a pickle if you have another rap to go. Wear a helmet -rocks fall all the time. Many peple use a backup knot tied to the harness which will lockup (hopefully) if the the rappeller lets go of the rope. Depending on the circumstance, I may or may not use one (if its a tricky rap, or have a lot of weight/pack with me I might) Most people use some kind of ATC/belay plate. www.petzl.com use to have equipment descriptions on their site. Black diamond may have them too (www.bdel.com) Stay safe -gravity is a bitch. |
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(eta: quote) "Well I actually spulunk a little bit, and I found that rapelling and such would broaden my locations to go explore, and also to do it as a side activity if I do like it alot." Oh, that's a legitimate excuse! Here's a site with a lot of equipment reviews that I think are accurate, and he covers rapp/belay devices with a vengance. I think the biggest drawback to rapping for fun is that it tends to twist up the rope, and you must constantly alternate direction, etc. to control the twist. Most just use the climbing rope, which probably twists more than a dedicated static rap-rope. I don't think rapping on a dynamic rope is unpleasant, but it is 'springy', and takes a little more attention. I also am hoping to do a little more of it, eventually getting into some serious 'canyoneering '. I've already got a few spots picked out. |
Prusik? Must mean Prusik. I would suggest considering a mechanical Prusik (I use a Petzl 'Shunt' which is also an 'ascender') and like said above; get some instruction. |
Good advice there. I read an article that said 16" inch 'tails' minimum, for the European death knot', in addition to dressing the knot as you said. Those rope ends are the only margin of safety in this setup. The ATC gets a little hot for me, I'm looking for some serious double-rope hardware that will NOT twist. Haven't found anything practical yet -- I keep coming back to a 'rescue rack'! ETA: I like the idea of the 'backup system' also, but tests have shown that these devices are not completely reliable, and may give a false sense of security. The second link I posted above has a very complete discussion of this topic. The best backup for the rappeller is a 'bottom belay', where a person below is able to control the descent if the rappeller loses control. This is simple and reliable -- All you have to do is hold the bottom of the rope, so you are in a position to brake, in case the person above loses control. I am also of the opinion that the 'death knot' setup is really not needed except for the last person in the party, and a backup knot/anchor is a good idea -- until the last person descends. |
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Done off and on over the years, off towers, simulated helicopters (both Army and Marine style) but never Australian or Jordian style. It's a hoot! For me, two things. First of all, I'm a traditionalist. I believe in tying my own Swiss seat instead of using a harness. Secondly, to me, the most nerve wracking part is when I am all hooked up and they tell you to walk backwards, lean back into the 'L', and then take a step down. Once past that, it's a thrill but getting there, it takes a lot of focus. ----------------------------------------------------------- ("We'll make it."--Jonathan Hemlock "I do not think so, but we go out like heros, no?"--Andre, (wtte), "The Eiger Sanction") |
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i used to rapell alot back in the old days the most fun i had was off a bridge about 70 feet over a ravine. i used a rescue 8 with a harness made out of 1in webbing and a carabiner or a cheap harness with the same 8 and carabiner. i got bored with it after a while and never did learn any of the cool tricks minus big ass jumps and if your the belay guy you can tie the rope to a dumpster and leave and your former friend will still be in the same spot 20 minutes later.  |
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I consider myself an authority on hiking in the mountains of Hawaii, but these guys do shit I would NEVER try: www.merman.us/cgi-bin/photos.cgi?s=1&pl=lf&al=al  www.merman.us/cgi-bin/blog?s=1&pl=lf
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| Keep your shirt tucked in ( my buddy learned the hard way) Wear a helmet ( as some duche above you will always drop something) And if you so much as drop any of your hardware( Fig 8's , carabiners , decenders , ect.) throw them away,as they can't be trusted with the loads that can be developed. And the rope is different from climbing to rappelling,climbing rope has more stretch generally. Face first (aussie) is a rush. |