Rappelling
Rope Descending and Ascending Skills for Climbing, Caving, Canyoneering, and Rigging
Published on 24. September 2013
184 pages
978-1-4930-0444-7 (ISBN)
Description
In Rappelling you'll find everything you need to know about descending a rope, from the most basic to advanced techniques, including knots, rigging strategies, rappel devices, and more. Included is a comprehensive discussion of ropes, slings, and all the hardware used in rappelling.
Rappelling techniques for climbing are covered in detail, including multi-pitch rappelling methods and rope management. Single rope fixed line rappelling techniques used in caving, canyoneering, and for industrial applications are also discussed, along with improvised rope ascending techniques ("prusiking") and ascending a fixed rope with mechanical ascenders ("jumaring"). Rappelling accident analysis and prevention is also included, along with a section on rappel back-ups and safety checks.
Inside you'll find information on:
Rappelling techniques for climbing are covered in detail, including multi-pitch rappelling methods and rope management. Single rope fixed line rappelling techniques used in caving, canyoneering, and for industrial applications are also discussed, along with improvised rope ascending techniques ("prusiking") and ascending a fixed rope with mechanical ascenders ("jumaring"). Rappelling accident analysis and prevention is also included, along with a section on rappel back-ups and safety checks.
Inside you'll find information on:
- Ropes
- Rappel devices
- Slings and webbing
- Knots and hitches
- Rigging rappel anchors
- Rappelling methods
- Rope retrieval techniques
- Rappelling accident analysis
- Rappel safety back-ups
- Working with fixed lines
- Rope ascending techniques
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Person
Bob Gaines has been a professional rock climbing guide since 1983 and is the owner of Vertical Adventures Rock Climbing School, voted the #1 rock climbing school in America by Outside magazine.Bob has worked extensively in the film business as a climbing stunt coordinator. He was Sylvester Stallone's climbing instructor for the movie Cliffhanger. Bob also doubled for William Shatner in the movie Star Trek V, as Captain Kirk free-soloing on El Capitan in Yosemite.
Content
- Rappelling
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Chapter 1. Equipment
- Harnesses
- Ropes
- History
- Kernmantle Ropes
- UIAA and CE Certification for Dynamic Ropes
- Static and Low-Stretch Ropes
- Dynamic, Low-Stretch, or Static
- Diameter and Sheath Percentage
- Sharp Edge Resistance
- Static Elongation
- Dry or Non-Dry
- Rope Length
- Rope Care and Use
- Coiling and Uncoiling Your Rope
- Helmets
- Gloves
- Knife
- Slings and Webbing
- Flat Webbing
- Tubular Webbing
- Knots for Webbing
- Spectra and Dyneema Slings
- Cord and Cordelettes
- Carabiners
- Chapter 2. Rappel Anchors
- Natural Anchors
- Trees
- Rock Structures
- Rigging Natural Anchors
- Rappel Rings and Quick Links
- Artificial Anchors
- Bolts
- Pitons
- Nuts and Cams
- The RENE Principle
- Principles of Equalization
- Pre-Equalized System
- Self-Equalizing Systems
- Vectors
- Notes on Redundancy
- Chapter 3: Knots
- Loop Knots
- Overhand Loop
- Figure Eight Follow-Through
- Figure Eight Loop
- Bowline
- Bends
- Figure Eight Bend
- Double Fisherman's Knot
- Triple Fisherman's Knot
- Knots for Joining Two Rappel Ropes
- Flat Overhand (aka Euro Death Knot)
- Friction Hitches
- Prusik Knot
- Klemheist Knot
- Autoblock
- Stopper Knot
- Chapter 4: Rappelling Methods and Devices
- Rappelling Fundamentals
- Non-Mechanical Rappel Methods
- Fast Roping
- Arm Rappel
- Dulfersitz Rappel
- Carabiner Rappels
- Carabiner Wrap
- Munter Hitch
- Carabiner Brake System
- Standard Rappelling Devices
- Figure Eight Descender
- Tube Devices
- Plate Devices
- Chapter 5: Rappelling Safely
- Accidents-Analysis and Prevention
- Rappel Belays
- Rappel Backups
- Teaching Rappelling
- Site Selection
- Rigging for Contingencies
- Chapter 6: Rappelling Methods for Climbing
- Multipitch Rappels
- Tandem Rappel
- Simul Rappel
- Rappelling with a Heavy Pack or Haul Bag
- Rope Management
- Tossing the Rope
- Retrieving the Rope
- Dealing with Stuck Ropes
- Chapter 7: Single Rope Rappel Devices for Fixed Lines
- Rappelling with an Assisted Braking Device
- Petzl Grigri
- Petzl Stop
- Rappel Rack
- Rope Protectors
- Passing a Knot
- Passing a Knot with a Cordelette
- Passing a Knot with a Self-locking Rappel Device, Mechanical Ascenders, and Etriers
- Vertical Rope Access Techniques
- Chapter 8: Canyoneering Techniques
- Canyoneering Rappel Devices
- Canyoneering Rope Retrieval Techniques
- Carabiner and Knot Blocks
- The Reepschnur
- Rigging for Canyoneering Contingencies
- Chapter 9: Rope Ascending Techniques
- Improvised Rope Ascending: Prusiking
- Ascending a Single Fixed Rope
- Jumaring
- The Yosemite Method
- Glossary
- Index
- About the Author
