Though it may seem daunting, learning to rappel can be done relatively quickly with the proper instruction and practice. In this article, we will outline some tips and tricks for practicing rappelling safely and effectively.
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How to Practice Rappelling? Practice in a safe and controlled environment with an experienced climber, build rappel anchors, learn at home, and complete a rappelling course.
Why Practice Rappelling In The First Place?
If you are new to rappelling, it is essential to practice in a safe place before attempting it in the real world. This will help you get a feel for the equipment and techniques and build your confidence before taking on more challenging rappels.
Rappelling may seem harmless due to all the safety equipment involved, but it is one of the most dangerous activities while climbing, as climbing accidents happen if you’re not prepared.
The main reason behind this is psychological; once you’ve completed your goal and the challenging journey is over, it’s easy to overlook a critical step in your safety protocol.
The more you practice your rappels, the better and smoother they will become. Then, finally, you’ll get to where all the steps – from backing up your anchor point to tying a stopper knot – become so second nature that you can do them without thinking.
This way, you won’t make any stupid mistakes that could cause you to fall the next time you go rock climbing or abseiling.
You need to get it to a point where it’s all muscle memory so that when you’re in a difficult situation, your body can take over and do what it needs to without you having to think about it.
Allowing you to direct your focus more toward keeping you and your partner safe and out of unnecessary danger.
What Should You Be Practicing?
I would generally say this depends on the areas of your rappels that you think are weak and need the most work so that you can be a lot more confident when you’re on a cliff edge. However, if you’re new to rappelling and climbing, you must practice in every area.
I recommend practicing the common areas where everyone seems to fail and has the most accidents. Here are some reasons why most mountaineering accidents and general climbing accidents happen when rappeling:
- Rappel off the wrong side of the anchor – This is the most common rappelling mistake. At the top of the anchor, ensure you’re facing the right direction before starting your rappel. You should be able to see where you’re going to land before you start descending.
- Don’t back up their anchor – Always make sure to back up your anchor before you rappel. This is one of the most critical safety checks you can do.
- Forget to tie a stopper knot – A stopper knot is a must when rappelling. It stops you and your belay device from accidentally sliding off the rope’s end. Make sure to tie it tight and double-check before starting your rappel.
- Don’t check their gear – Always check your gear before you rappel. This includes your harness, carabiners, ropes, and anchor. Make sure everything is secure and in good condition.
- Rappel with a wet rope – Wet ropes are more likely to fray and break. If you have to rappel with a wet rope, be extra careful and go slowly.
- Don’t use a retrievable rappel device – A device such as a prusik knot can be used to stop your rappel if you need to. Make sure to use one if you’re rappelling in an area where there is a possibility of getting stuck.
- Brake Hand Slips – If your brake hand slips, you can fall. Keep a firm grip on the rope and use your body weight to control your descent.
- Lose of Rappel Control – This can happen for various reasons, such as not having enough friction on the rope or going too fast. If you lose control of your rappel, stop and assess the situation before continuing.
- Locking Carabiner Not Screwed Down – Make sure to screw down the locking carabiner on your belay device. If it’s not screwed down, it can come undone and cause you to fall.
- Poor/Wrong Technique – If you’re using the wrong technique, you can put yourself in a dangerous situation. Make sure to use the proper technique for your rappel, which means practicing as much as possible, and always keep up to date with the best techniques depending on the climbing you’re doing!
- Failure to Judge Own Surroundings – This is one of the most important things to do while rappelling. You need to be constantly aware of your surroundings and what’s below you. This includes looking for loose rocks, water, and other hazards that could cause you to fall.
While many things can contribute to a climbing accident, these are some of the most common mistakes people make. So, if you’re new to rappelling, focus on these areas and get plenty of practice before taking your rappelling skills to the next level.
Where Should You Practice Rappelling?
Now that you’ve learned the dangers, where should you practice rappels? My one recommendation; stick to a routine that works for you.
You should execute the same activities from when your anchor is established until you are safely on the ground during the set-up of a rappel.
You’re less likely to overlook anything when you have a routine and follow all the steps. Furthermore, by making the actions automatic, there’s less of a chance that you’ll forget to knot or verify an anchor when you’re not in the best frame of mind.
Once you have the proper education and training, it is essential to put your rappelling technique into practice as often as possible. It is also helpful to know how to do more advanced rappels, such as tandem rappels, if something happens to your climbing partner.
How To Practice Rappelling – 6 Effective Ways
There are many ways you can practice rappelling to adequately cover all aspects of climbing without putting yourself in danger, whether you’re trying to get better for the next time you multi-pitch climb or crack climb. Here are some of the ways my buddies and I have practiced rappelling.
Back Yourself Up On a Top Rope Belay
We first practiced by backing ourselves up on a top rope. This is an excellent way to get comfortable with the rappelling process without consequences if you mess up.
In this scenario, your belayer holds you from the ground while rappelling. So, if you make a mistake, they will catch you. This is an excellent way to get comfortable with the rappelling process and build confidence.
This method is also helpful because you can take your time and focus on specific aspects of rappelling, such as using your brake hand correctly or building friction.
Practice in a Controlled Environment (or at an Indoor Climbing Gym)
Like every other sport, climbers gradually start working on more challenging tasks as they improve. When beginning, however, it’s essential to ease into things rather than try to project routes that are way above your grade.
This can be done by going back to a project you’ve completed previously (since you’re familiar with it AND finished it before), or you could rappel in an even more controlled environment, such as an indoor climbing gym.
This is an excellent way to work on your rappelling technique without the consequences of an uncontrolled environment. You can also take your time and focus on getting specific techniques down before moving on.
Build Rappel Anchors
As you become more comfortable with rappelling, you can start to build your rappel anchors. This is an excellent way to practice because it allows you to work on your anchor-building skills while also getting comfortable setting up a rappel.
This method is also excellent because it allows you to experiment with different anchors and see what works best for you. Just plan and know what you’re doing before you start.
Learn From More Experienced Climbers (Friends or Teachers)
There’s no replacement for personal climbing experience. Learning from another person will always be more thorough than reading about it online or watching a video; despite the great content you might come across (like this blog!!), you really need to be putting things into practice.
This could be a friend with more experience or a professional guide–either way, finding someone who can teach you safety skills is crucial to keeping yourself safe.
Complete a Rappelling Course
When all else fails, and you want to be sure you’re getting the best education possible, take a rappelling course from a professional. This will ensure that you know how to safely rappel in any situation and allows you to ask questions.
Courses typically last a day or two, and you’ll come away with the skills and confidence to rappel safely in any situation.
Practice in Your Backyard
One of the best ways to practice rappelling is in your backyard (or wherever you have access to a high point and a rope). This allows you to work on your skills without going anywhere or setting anything up.
You can also use this method to work on more advanced techniques, such as building friction or using different rappel devices. Just be sure to have a spotter or belayer, so you don’t hurt yourself.
Not everyone will have this luxury, but take advantage of it if you do!
Conclusion
So there you have it; that’s how to practice rappelling safely! Use these ways so you can practice rappelling and build your skills. Just remember to start slow, focus on one thing at a time, and get as much personal experience as possible.
FAQs About Rappelling
Can you solo rappel?
Yes, but we don’t recommend it. Rappelling is a controlled descent down a fixed rope using a friction device. You rely on that friction device to keep you safe when you solo rappel. If something were to go wrong with the device, or if you were to lose control of your descent for any reason, the consequences could be severe or even fatal.
That said, some experienced climbers do solo rappeling on occasion. If you decide, take extreme care and thoroughly inspect your gear beforehand.
Can beginners do rappelling?
Rappelling can be learned relatively quickly, but it is essential to understand climbing knots and to belay before trying it. If you are new to rappelling, we recommend finding an experienced friend or taking a class from a qualified instructor.
How do you prepare for rappelling?
In addition to knowing how to tie climbing knots and belay, you should also be familiar with your gear. For example, ensure you know how to use your rappelling device properly and understand the braking systems on different types of ropes.
How do you rappel smoothly?
The goal is to rappel smoothly and control your speed. You can do this by using your hands and feet together to break. This is called the fireman’s belay. Start with your feet on the wall and your hand holding the rope above the rappelling device. Then, as you descend, lean back and let your feet guide you down while using your hand to control the rope.
Is rappeling hard?
No, but it does require some coordination. The most important thing is to be aware of your surroundings and control your speed.
How do you rappel without losing gear?
Before rappelling, always tie your gear to your harness with a figure-eight knot. This will keep your gear from falling if you drop it.