Rappelling Articles & Videos

• How to Tie a Swiss Seat Rappel Harness

  For a basic harness, made in just minutes, tie a Swiss seat rappel harness. It is safe enough to use for climbing and does not require extra tools and accessories. Knowing how to tie a Swiss seat rappel harness comes in handy if you need a… read more

• How to Tie a Swiss Seat Harness

  A Swiss seat is a style of harness used for climbing or rappelling. The harness is made from a single piece of rope or webbing tied in a specific fashion around your body. While not nearly as comfortable as commercial harnesses, the Swiss s… read more

• How to Make a Rope Safety Harness

  A rope safety harness can allow an injured person to be lifted out of a crevasse or other difficult to reach area. A rope safety harness can also be used to rappel down a cliff. Though a rope safety harness made on the fly with webbing will… read more

• Rappelling With a Pirana

  The Petzl Pirana is a device designed for rapid descents in caving and canyoneering. It can also be used by mountaineers and rock climbers, though its weight discourages its use by climbers. The Pirana looks like a modified figure-eight des… read more

• Instructions for Rappelling

  Rappelling uses ropes and friction devices to help you descend a dangerous cliff slowly and safely. But even with all the equipment and safety measures taken, rappelling can still be dangerous, particularly if you are unfamiliar with rock c… read more

• How to Rappel Down a Cliff

  Safety first! Before you learn to rappel you must fully understand and accept the risks involved. Hanging over the side of a cliff on a rope is an inherently dangerous undertaking. Done with care and preparation under the instruction of so… read more

• Rappelling Basics

  Rappelling is the act of using ropes to make your way down the faces of steep rock formations. Done correctly, rappelling can be a very quick and safe way of getting from the top of a rock to the ground. Rappelling also can be extremely uns… read more

• The History of Rappelling

  Rappelling is a method of descending from the top of a climb (or building) by sliding down a rope. There are many methods of rappelling, and the technique has evolved over time with new equipment developments. read more

• Types of Rappelling

  Rappelling is the act of using a device such as a figure 8 or ATC to safely and quickly slide down a rope. Rappelling is commonly associated with mountaineering and rock climbing, and is an essential skill for climbers to master. But it is… read more

• Rappelling Techniques

  Rappelling or abseiling is the action of lowering from a structure or natural feature with a rope, generally using a device to create friction to slow the process. Different rappelling techniques have been developed as technology has improv… read more

• Rappelling Tips

  Rappelling, the act of descending steep faces by sliding down a rope, is one of the most dangerous activities a climber can do. Many climbs can only be descended by rappelling. While it looks fun (and sometimes it is), climbers die in rappe… read more

• How to Tie a Rappel

  When you're climbing rocks or mountains, your life is in the hands of your gear. The knot used to tie your ropes together is of utmost importance and must be done well. The most popular knot used to do this is a fisherman's knot. This is a… read more

• How to Rappel

  Rappeling is the second fastest way to get down a cliff. The fastest is falling. Rappeling uses the friction of the rope through a friction-device (a descender) to slow and control descent. There are a number of techniques you should mas… read more

• Rappelling Rope Technique

  Rappelling is the second fastest way to get down a cliff. The fastest is falling. Rappelling uses the friction of the rope through a friction-device (a descender) to slow and control descent. There are a number of techniques you should m… read more

• What Is Rappeling?

  Rappelling (or abseiling) is a reasonably safe means of getting down from a technical impasse in vertical terrain. It is used in adventure sports, wilderness travel, rescue scenarios and military tactics. read more

• What is Rappelling?

  Rappelling is a means of using a rope to descend in a controlled manner. In other parts of the world, another term for rappelling is abseiling. While rappelling is a popular sport, it is also used by military, police and rescue services. read more

• How to Rappel With an ATC

  While to some rappelling is a sport in its own right, for climbers it is often the most expeditious way of descending from a climb. A climber's rappel is often much slower and thus both safer and less exciting than the rope-whizzing descent… read more

• How to Do a Tyrolian Traverse

  A Tyrolean traverse is a mode of transportation used in rock climbing, river crossings or technical tree climbing. In rock climbing Tyrolean traverses are used mostly for returning to a main wall after climbing a pillar and in river crossin… read more

• Tips for Rappelling

  Rappelling is used to safely descend a rope using friction to control the speed. Proper rappelling technique is vital to climbing and your safety in the mountains. Rappelling may be used for convenience, but often it may be the only way to… read more