How to Make a Rappel System
This article teaches the safe and easy way to set up a three-point, double-protected rappel system. Climbing and rappelling are dangerous sports, but with care and a little advance planning, they can be made as safe as any other recreation.
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Things You'll Need
- 60-meter static rope
- 20 to 30 feet of climbing grade webbing
- rappelling device (ATC or Figure Eight work well)
- 4 locking "D" carabiners
- Helmet
- Sturdy footwear
- Gloves
Instructions
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Choose your rappelling location. The best areas to rappel depend on your skill level, but in most cases a cliff or steep hill that is either vertical or a little less than vertical are ideal locations. Look for secure anchor locations at the top of your rappelling area. Large live trees, boulders or even rappel anchors (if you are so lucky) are perfect anchor types.
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Check the anchor location. Make sure that the area where you are going to be anchoring to is free of sharp edges, glass, or any other objects that could fray or cut your webbing. A good way to keep the edge of a rocky cliff from fraying your webbing or rappel rope is to lay an old sweatshirt or even a backpack on the cliff edge and then place the webbing on top of it. Determine at least three points you will be anchoring from (ie three large trees, three boulders or cracks, etc.). If you are lucky enough to have rappel anchor bolts in place (such as at the top of a climbing route) then you don't need to do this, as the anchor bolts are extremely strong and only two are needed on a typical installation.
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String webbing from each of your three anchor points and connect with two, opposite facing locking D ring carabiners. This will be your main rappelling point. Find the middle of your static rappelling rope and clip it securely into the carabiners, making sure to lock their gates in place. Toss the doubled rope over the edge of the cliff and make sure there are no tangles. Make sure that both ends of the rope are approximately even at the bottom of the cliff, and that you have enough rope to reach the bottom.
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Having made sure your harness is tight, shoes are tied, helmet is on snugly, and your gloves are on, clip into the rope at the top of the cliff based on the images provided. Make sure you are looking at the correct image for your particular rappel device.
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Make sure your partner is stationed at the bottom of the cliff (holding on to the rope itself as a way to belay you) and then ease over the edge while holding onto the rope behind you.
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Begin your descent. How fast you descend is based on leverage, not your grip on the rope, so if you want to go faster, move your hand further away from your body. If you want to descend slower, move your hand closer to your body. Your partner at the bottom of the cliff can also help control the speed of your descent by pulling on the rope to slow you down.
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Tips & Warnings
Please, please, PLEASE be safe when climbing or rappelling. These sports are inherently dangerous and need to be given the respect they deserve. They can be the most rewarding sports or most tragic depending on the precautions YOU take.
Resources
- Photo Credit ricksrappelling.com, denverpost.com, canyoneering.net
