Video: How to Rappel

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Rappelling requires using a figure-8 and a locking carabiner for a secure point of anchor, and it is best to rappel with a partner so each can inspect the other's ropes and harnesses before leaning back. Understand the basic principles of rappelling with helpful advice from an experienced climber in this free video on rock climbing.

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Bo Dec 01, 2011
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Video Transcript

Hi today we're here to talk about how to rappel. Rappelling is extremely dangerous. It is generally the highest cause of fatality related to rock climbing mostly because you are relying on one point of anchor. If that fails or if you fail to tie your harness in right you'll fall to your death so don't ever try this without an experienced person or without taking lessons somewhere. Basically what we're going to do we've already rigged up our rope here. I'm using a device called a figure 8 and a locking carabiner. It is always important to use a locking carabiner or two other carabiners that are posed. Locking then once you lock it you know it's going to stay. What you do is you take the locking carabiner, put it on the loop on your harness, take your figure 8 device, pass both strands through the big hole, loop them over the shaft then clip your locking carabiner into the small hole. Make sure to lock your carabiner. Now always check before you lean back over the edge that your harness is secured properly. If you are climbing with a partner check his and have him check yours. Most of the time people back off with making some stupid mistake and just fall. Then all you do is you just put weight on the rope, lean back, weight the rope, get to feeling good, start walking your way down. Now the trickiest part starting to rappel is generally the rope is going this way. It is much easier when the rope is going straight up for me to rappel so I have to slowly lower myself down over the edge like so until the rope is above me. Always try and keep your legs perpendicular to the rock so you are not trying to stand on them, you're just pushing yourself off the rock in a tripod. You brake with your right hand against your hip or left hand if you're left handed and slowly feed out the rope. Don't try and brake with your left hand. Let the figure 8 device do the braking for you and off you go.

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How to Rappel

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