How to Rappel With a Heavy Load

This eHow requires that you already know how to rock climb and rappel. Sometimes it is necessary to rappel with a heavy load such as a haul bag, or a heavy backpack. On steep rappels, this can be extremely difficult on your shoulders. Rappelling with a heavy load can be made much safer by rappeling with the load below you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Attach a leash to the load

1. Attach a runner or sling to a strong connection point on the top of the load. A girth hitch works well for this.
2. Attach two carabeiners to the runner. Locking carabeiners are best for this.

Attach the load to your harness

3. Clip the free carabeiner to the belay loop on the front of you harness, (or to the front waist strap on harnesses that don't have a belay loop). When in position, the load will dangle between your legs at about ankle position as you descend.

Position the load

4. Set up your rappel system as usual (e.g. figure 8, belay device, etc.), with the addition of Prussik Knot tied onto the rappel line(s) above the rappel device, and attached to your harness. The Prussik Knot acts as a self-belay. You are now "on rappel" with Prussik Knot backing you up.
5. With the load now firmly clipped to your harness, and with your rappel system attached and double checked, unclip the load from the anchors and slowly lower it between your legs and let the weight come onto your harness. This is difficult, because you are on rappel as you do this, and you cannot use your brake hand to help. Get help from your partner on this if you can.
6. Once the load is in placed below you with all the weight of the load on your harness, you can unclip it from the anchor. Make sure the load is fully attached to your harness.

Rappel

7. Rappel down the rope with the weight pulling straight down on your harness, rather than pulling you over backwards from your shoulders.
8. If you are doing a multi-pitch rappel it's important that you attach the free carabeiner on the load's leash, to the anchor system, before you attach yourself to the anchor system. This is so you'll be on top of the load for the next rappel set up.

Tips & Warnings

• The Prussik Knot is a backup. Don't let the Prussik Knot lock (tighten) while you're positioning the load for the rappel. This could make the Prussik Knot very hard to loosen so you can start the descent. It's best to keep the Purssik on a separate carabeiner from the rappel device and load also.
• Tie a knot in the end of the ropes so that you don't rappel off the end of them. This is a common, and most often, fatal mistake. Tie both ends of rope together in a big figure eight if your using two ropes to rappel on.
• Be prepared for the added weight of the load when you rappel. You may be surprised how much more weight the load will put on your hands and rappel system.