ClimbingTechniques.org: How to Rappel

[@evakopalova506]

I consider it really irresponsible to leave the video on KZbin with so many mistakes.. As the others have already mentioned: prusik, knots at the rope ends, helmet.

[@crunchycrispybacon]

shouldn't you tie a prussic from the rope to your harness in case you lost grip with the rope?

[@ihaveAdream50]

+Gabriel S. Yes!!

[@disvet-1ad291]

ABSOLUTELY

[@antoniotuvo1280]

@@disvet-1ad291 First to do

[@vlaaady]

At the end - very educational video if you read comments. I saw all the mentioned mistakes (prusik, end knots, helmet), but I liked the video because before that I saw a one with rappelling of a single carabiner attached to a single anchor on a single rope.

[@lachsfilet1362]

No knots at the end of the rope - Deadly mistake #1 No backup prusik - Deadly mistake #2

[@408graff]

Good video. One thing to note: prusik loop will solve the problem of worrying about losing control of the rope. It's super easy to tie, cheap, lightweight, and won't result in any major heat friction on your main rope. I would use it for every rappel. Also make sure the prusik is set up correctly as it should act as essentially a grip onto the main rope in the event your brake hand lets go, and not as a "jamming mechanism" into the belay device as I have seen some people do.

[@NIGHTHAWK-777]

Even though there are some mistakes, this is the only video (out the hundreds I've watched) that actually shows you how to rapell. It shows you how to feed the rope thru the device and where to put your hands/body position. All the other videos only show you how to set up a rap. Not how to actually rapell.

[@kc329191]

Thank you, this was nice to watch, you carefully explained the process... Attention to safety was excellent.

[@RichardHoiberg]

Why is it not used a prusik knot?

[@minnesotacubes7911]

Thanks to all the commenters, as a beginner I didn't think of using such stuff as the Prussic knot and making a knot at the end for safety. But looking at it now that I know about these things it seems crazy not to. Glad I looked at the comments after. This video is really skipping over some major safety rules.

[@Christakos42a]

All the things me (a beginner) can see wrong with this video: 1) The way the daisy chain is clipped gives the illusion that if the loop is severed the system will hold the fall. With this setup, in the case of loop failure, the daisy chain will merely slip off the biner. Two carabiners should be used. Look up the appropriate setup. 2) No helmet 3) No "safety" knot (eg prusik) to prevent fall. 4) No stopper knots at the ends of the rope. A person climbing trad (nut removal tool on her back) shouldn't make those mistakes. edit: the part about the orientation of the atc is also bullshit. There's only one way you should position the atc. Most other orientations puts unnecessary stress on the rope. Even if for some reason she wanted less friction, the way the atc is placed is still wrong. Also, there's no such thing as a "faster, fun rappel". A rappel should be slow and controlled (not like in the movies), otherwise you're putting excessive stress on the rope and anchor.

[@Pauliusgf]

She didn't check if rope ends reach the ground either. That's not how people should teach others, but oh well...

[@ocelotsix]

Please teach the use of a back up prussik or similar friction hitch in case new climbers let go of the rope. Good videos!

[@ihzybgkduihzybgkdu489]

hand goes into 4:03 braking teeth of the device ? The function of the belay device aside, or prussic knot, or safety knot or helmet, I would not use this method of rappelling for 3 reasons. (yep, the method)

[@imcatiz]

Backup knot is absolutely mandatory !!!!!!!!!!!! Always use it !!!!

[@paarek]

you can also put sling between your rappeling device and your harness and then you can hold your ropes in both hands nearby to your crotch which is more comfortable than "one hand behind bottom" style :-) and also there is lot of space for prusik knot under your rappeling device, it is slower method but safe and necessity when you need to do something in wall and use both hands :-)

[@chrisalister2297]

Where can I get a pair of gloves like yours?

[@beholderlt]

@waterdragon1908 what kind of sudden stop? many accidents have happened where people have been descending slowly without realising they were coming to the end of the rope. there are many situations where the rope doesn't reach the ground. That's why you always tie a knot in the end of your rappel rope.

[@GuitarJBB]

1. No knots in the rope ends 2. No backup prusik below your rappel device 3. Non-locking carabiner used for the rappel device 4. Loose hair. This fact, combined with your rappel device attached directly to your belay loop, not extended by sling is waiting for your hair to get caught in the belay device when descending. These are big mistakes, causing a dangerous situation. When you post a "How to" video, at least make sure you get it right. Safety first!

[@johngo6283]

Overall pretty good. I see one small mistake at 2:16 - taking your belay device off your belay loop. Doing this makes it much easier to drop your belay device. Better practice is to thread the rope through the belay device while it's still clipped to your belay loop.

[@shanewhitephotography3669]

No Prussic back up (what happens if you let go or slip, no control), No helmet (you may slip invert and bang you head, so many people abseil and don't pay out enough rope and end up upside down), no gloves (not a show stopper but you have a full 60m rope/30m abseil could get quite hot if you are inexperienced) No knot in the end of the rope (you may run off the end of the rope (it looks like you cannot see the end of the rope (best practice tie an overhand knot an arms length from the ends of each rope) Stay safe and remember these techniques.

[@NEGuiding]

Good quick instructional video but.....No rappell backup? You should ALWAYS back up your rappell. And what's with the daisy chain?

[@appalachianstillhunter6534]

where was this filmed? It looks familiar.

[@TheWsguy]

No knots on the ends of the rope is a critical fail, especially considering you can't see where the rope has landed. Raping off the ends of the rope happens all too often. Gloves/helmet are always good too.

[@georgebaldwin5456]

Ask Brad Gobright about rappelling off the end of your rope. How an expert climber like Brad forgot this simple/essential safety RULE is beyond my comprehension; but alas, he paid for his mistake with his life.

[@mort1re]

nice vid! You should use a prushnik below your atc for backup safety.

[@tdegler]

1. knots on ends of rope; 2. no backup locking knot; 3. using daisy as anchor in wrong way (dont put weight on the loops). Follow that video and your chances of dying are pretty strong. I would never recommend this organisation for teaching anyone : (

[@greenhopefund]

Please teach us how to make anchor point with trees

[@ColoradoGarrett]

where in Colorado are you climbing

[@tylerbrown9357]

Ever done a body wrap

[@beholderlt]

how about tying a knot in the end of the rope so you don't rappel off the end?

[@floringheru]

ok, so you are down: how you get the carabiner ? or last person rappels without carabiner ?

[@TheNamesChrome]

When you did that safety check, you didn't realize that you put the ATC on your harness upside down. It's not noticeable when the rope is to your right, but if you were to put the rope between your legs, your belay loop would have been twisted

[@Dstrukt2k2]

Apparently she's also a certified arborist to be able to diagnose any issues with the trees that she's rapping off of. /eyeroll

[@r91976]

I'm clueless about climbing or rappeling, it's the first video i've watched. I have a stupid question. What happens to the equipment that stays back (carabiners, ancher rope etc)? What if you can't climb bacj up to take it, you just leave it there?

[@ThePBSamuel]

It is lost... this is why this video is stupid or they are too rich. Additionally she did not do a knot at the end of the rope so, it the rope is too short, she might fall off. and on top of that she did not do a "prusik" knot or an other auto-blocking knot on the rope bellow the ATC device thus if for any reason she let's her hand go (a stone on the head or whatever) she falls to the ground and she is dead. Conclusion: bad video.

[@foimassa]

+Disciples de Christ - Followers of Christ - последователей Христа good reply lol but I am pretty sure she is just setting this up for toprope purposes and will most likely collect her shit at the end of the day

[@markjanssen2437]

To the already long list of which i find the Autoblock or prussik and endknot safetywise most important. No matter how experienced you are only one curious wasp can change a scenario. Rock/forest formations are ideal. And i would add a third, not yet named, safety risc. no scissors:-) As in: No lose long hair on any rappel!!! In case of resting, overhang, footslip, the belay device is close to the body and at breast hight and lose long hair can easy get pulled into ATC/Figure 8 etc. And there is no way out. No up or down, And with no prussik and scissors/knive that becomes a rescue situation.

[@pierofavento5188]

what about the back up knot? If you ever let go of your braking hand you ll slide all the way to the bottom of the cliff

[@joshmay2365]

don't let go of your braking hand

[@samdf96]

Yeah she could use a Prusik as well, but its not absolutely needed.

[@sgtagem]

"How to Rappel" 1. put on a helmet 2. Autoblock 3. knots at end of rope.. why is this video still up?

[@davidc7889]

I live in San Antonio. Could one of you guys tell me where I can go to get classes for beginners.? Thank you so much

[@jaydog4571]

New climber here. I appreciate the video. Great info. I get the feeling by reading some of the comments here that there are alot of "climbing snobs" out there.

[@lisimahus]

Yes, Sir, because they don't die as a result of poor videos giving sloppy instructions. This video is full of mistakes and bad practice. There is nothing good to learn from it.

[@elmarcianodenny]

Why did not make a figure 8 knot to attach to the carabiners?

[@sunburntduder]

Did I miss the part about stopper knots at the end of the rope?

[@PaulGebersNE]

Bad video, There was no stop knot tied at the end of the rope, and her ATC was set up backwards.

[@austin_and_molly]

Thats how I learned when I first started recreational tree climbing. I started with a Swiss seat. One thing is for sure, if you are going to be doing much climbing, a harness is a nice thing to invest in lol

[@georgegeorgiou6483]

When you finish rappel how you return up?

[@MrMiniMacho]

+george georgiou With lead climbing for example

[@kalm4502]

Please revise the instruction. It gets enough views that it really should be revised to a much safer technique.

[@henryjunior38]

what do you mean by "backup" what is that?

[@cgsschaefer]

i would suggest to remove this video or make it private. or correct the already mentioned issues.

[@andrescifuentes7782]

I like to extend my rappel and use an auto block ,I also think that they didn't talk about security knots ,helmet , and a auto block just for safety reason

[@kristonrenshaw1267]

Why two Binas in the same loop?

[@nacholibre1962]

No bad, except that placing both hands below the rappel device adds instability. One hand must always be controlling the lower rope, obviously, but the other hand should be on the rope above the rappel devise to create inherent stability.

[@paulsn]

so you leave 20$ worth of webbing and two 15$ locking biners at each rapell? thats 50 bucks for each pitch right?

[@sendit2873]

be sure to tie stopper knots at the ends of your rope even if it touches the ground never skimp on safety when climbing or rappelling and use a backup like a prussik or autoblock

[@GiulianoParreira]

Where is the backup knot????

[@paarek]

on other video by other climber, probably

[@grimlund]

Giuliano Parreira This video shows that there are almost as many ways to rappel then there are climbers. I went my basic climbing course back in 1996. We didn´t use a back up knot. But the supervisor had an extra top rope when we rappeled in case something happened. So therefore I never used a back up knot my self over the years. One other thing here is that she didn´t tie a knot at the end of the rope end. Something that is crucial in multi rappels at least. And using two locking carabiners in the anchor is really overkill.

[@waterdragon1908]

@beholderlt if you did completely let go of the rope and fell when you reached the end of the rope the belay would catch and probably break your back, but I see your point.

[@TommyTheRapper]

Why are your carabiners not opposite and opposing?

[@veon15]

I don't see the bolts. :(

[@badasswood]

why couldn't you use an alpine butterfly knot to attatch to the tree, instead of all the webbing, and biners??? you can do three perfectly good tie offs, and anchor to them, and they would be easily undone from way down below with a tag line, or the other end of the rope if you have enough... The less knots, and junctions in any anchor point is always the stronger if the knot is tied propperly, and you can retrieve with tha alpine... but I'm a dumb building, and tree climber...

[@aaronrobertson8022]

Why all the hate. We dont know if someone was at bottom giving a belay. If the route isnt very steep and its clean there are times I dont use an auto block. I took this video as a tips video not instruction. If someone is using this as an instruction video they should rethink and get away from you tube anyway. Formal instruction is a must for anything climbing related.

[@aaronrobertson8022]

Stopper knots are always a good idea though. It would be a bad bad day to abseil out of the atc.

[@yerbyray]

Where is your helmet?

[@tridvaenazdaj]

And a halmet?

[@mikebarajas1703]

A lot of comments about safety knots and a prusik back up. 1. If a safety knot is at the end of a rope and it’s already on the ground, a safety knot is pointless. You’d hit the ground way before you met the end of your rope. 2. Prusiks are awesome for stopping mid rappel and doing work or if you’re just scared to rip.

[@andreaeid2512]

You should always tie your hair coz it could easily get tied in rope and you have to cut it

[@runandsnipe]

I saw the rope lying on the ground and threw up. Who does that.

[@gobprnosirve]

The back up is optional. If a bug bothers you leave it alone. That easy i dont know no one that uses a back up knot when they lower down from the last climb.

[@gbeane79]

you can see the bottom of the pitch, easy enough to know that both ends reach the ground. Also, it isn't vertical and is an easy rappel. I'd be okay doing it without a prussik backup.

[@pendrake113]

And if I had more to say I wouldn't be shy about it. The rappeling mistakes have been pointed out by others who do it. I'm a videographer, and that was the mistake I noticed.

[@jeremyroot7872]

Wow; now I know I am ,BY NO MEANS ,more than a simple novice when it comes to climbing or rappelling but with that said ; I myself was perfectly able to take away from the video, the few basic and correct techniques she was trying to get across in a fairly short video...yeah, there are numerous other safety concerns & vital steps to take before attempting your first real rappel but I think that it is the sole responsibility of the individual to seek out that detailed instruction apart from just casually watching KZbin Vids. And, for the most part, I think I can speak for the majority of novices or beginners that completely understand that truth....why sit and troll KZbin vids for something or someone to bash or criticize into oblivion instead of trying to say something encouraging or actually helpful that doesn't make a newcomer or somebody just throwing the idea around ,of trying this, feel totally put off by this negative, know-it-all BS. Damn, help each other instead of trying to make everyone else that isn't you ,look stupid!

[@ghanzo70]

and the Prusik???

[@markholton8555]

one could notice many non-ideal things about this lesson - no helmet? no autoblock? Well...it's a slab. However, this is ostensible a "how to" for the general task of rappelling. So..yes, a helmet and autoblock would be good ideas. Not that it is very important or a safety consideration, but the poor gal would probably be more comfortable with the belay device turned right side up and the rope between her legs...but forgetting the knots in the end of the rope is kinda inexcusable. People die that way. Also the double check was kinda haphazard. Better way to teach this is to organize the elements of the double check with some mnemonic. I'd suggest taking this down and redoing it with the many good suggestions in the comments.

[@samdf96]

Yeah saw that the ATC was upside down, makes it really awkward if you're rappelling straight down haha, and always tie knots in the bottom :p

[@geoffbassett161]

Knots on end of the rope! Back up auto block or Prusik on the brake side!

[@diogodasilva806]

legau como chama esi negosio ai k poi a corda

[@TheJeat6]

You should NEVER use a Daisy Chain to support your weight. What most people mistake for a "Daisy Chain" is actual called a Personal Anchor System, or PAS. Out of all the bad habits I have seen for Rappelling videos so far, this video takes the cake.

[@kc329191]

Great video!

[@BAK87]

I hope you're kidding ! It's totally unsafe and possibly a death hazard.

[@waterdragon1908]

@beholderlt eh, tying a knot would stop you from falling off, but if you fell the sudden stop would probably break your back.

[@brisktea55]

attach autoblock to your leg loop on which ever side your brake hand is

[@rocklinthompson7952]

great! thanks for the instruction

[@BAK87]

If you care about yourself DON'T do it this way, it involves 2 MAJOR mistakes. No stopper knots at the end of the rope, and no back up knot for the ATC.

[@NealD]

Please make some videos demo'ing best practices!

[@mattmaclaird9709]

Knotts at the end of the rap rope and an autoblock could save your life.

[@hilariousd7998]

As some dude comes out of the woods and asks "hey did somebody yell rape?"

[@koggism]

Nicely presented video, but there are a few glaring mistakes with the instructions.

[@djayers]

I'm totally inexperienced. But knots in rope ends, 3rd hand autostop, helmet!

[@TheBusterslo]

Ancor is insanely over enginereed (lol- 2 big trees and 2 locking crabs). I was like OK you cant have too much safety, but then you go down with no backup block and no knots on the ends of the rope...

[@tridvaenazdaj]

Where is your safety beckup????

[@lylehurlburt3259]

why so many haters. we never even used harnesses let alone helmets . single rope and one carabiner.

[@BAK87]

Let me tell you why so many "haters". Because inexperienced viewers might rely on this "how to" and could easily FALL to their death. Video shows no stopper knots and no back up knot for the belay device. Both of which present serious death hazard. She could also wear a helmet.

[@jonettang]

Unfortunately, when you are providing instruction, it is best to provide the options to those inexperienced. Not using a backup knot is your decision. I prefer to be going 0 m/s and not 9.81 m/s^2 or 32.2 ft/s^2 on that one time I need the Prusik, Kleimheist or Autoblock.

[@Dukinfieldcyclist]

You have prusiks on the back of your harness. For inexperienced climbers this could be fatal.

[@Spoony412]

cool video I enjoyed it

[@RowdyRoddy100]

You don't need stopper knots if you know the end of the rope has reached the landing point. But, I would have done two directional figure 8's from the mid-rope and attached them to two different points for the anchor. Everybody has their preferences I guess

[@StevanOutdoor]

That's bs. A simple dent or something like that can make one part of the rope go up.

[@RowdyRoddy100]

No clue what you just said??

[@StevanOutdoor]

***** No clue seems to be your middle name

[@RowdyRoddy100]

I believe your argument was that you should always have barrel knots at the end of your line, in which I disagree, but I'm not tracking when you say "dent" and when you talk about the rope going up? I just checked out your page. May be a language barrier. It's kind of cowardly to take cheap shots from across the ocean, that was not my intent. So please help me understand what you mean.

[@StevanOutdoor]

***** Sure there will be a language barrier. And I know there are Americans who know what they are talking about. You are just not one of those Americans. That's all.

[@oaagea]

I enjoy this video. Bravo!

[@kfrb1]

Please knot the ends of ropes and consider an autoblock. Read climbing accident reports and you will know why. Climbing accidents have increased at a rate that is not explained away by increased participation.

[@dr.rongoldstein1633]

Nice video. But, you didn't wear gloves

[@pikeflyfisherman]

Not absolutely mandatory. I often abseil without a back up, especially if its clean rock and a place i have rapped from before. I'm more concerned with her taking her atc off the carabiner in order to feed the ropes, sure fire way to lose it and then you're fucked if you don't know how to ab off a munter. Also, using a back up often makes it a more jerky descent and putting un-necessary loads onto the anchor.

[@nssurge]

@jonettang prusik is too slow !

[@dfjdskf9234j4fisd]

Uh your belay Koop is all twisted... the brake side of the rope shouldn’t be coming straight up out of the device!! It’s freaking upside down

[@chungfumaster]

I can't be the only one who was cringing at the way she was using the daisy chain. The biner is clipped into one of the loops to shorten it. The loops are meant to only hold about 250 lbs. I'm not saying that she's 250 lbs, but it can be really easy to generate that amount of dynamic force.

[@StevanOutdoor]

You are right. This is not safe. And she did not put a knot in the ends of the rope to tigh them together.

[@Notsoskilledgtrst]

Knot the ends of your rappel ropes folks! One of the most common causes of death in climbing and mountaineering is rapping of the end of your rope. Knot the end of your rope even when climbing in the gym just to get in the habit. Good video otherwise. The backup prussik is really a matter of preference... I always do it, but I always wear a helmet too, even though I catch a bit of flak for both from my friends. Screw them I like being alive.

[@waterdragon1908]

@beholderlt I never understand this, I never use gloves and never have any problems.

[@yerbyray]

I would have a second anchor point, a locking biner, a helmet, and control your hair.

[@SkullLikeASecret]

Autoblock, safety back up, whatever, I can hear the camera man's heavy breathing and that freaks me out.

[@Dstrukt2k2]

Are you ACMG (Or equivalent) certified? This is a practice that is governed by many safety standards around the globe, you have not the first clue about what you are doing, it never ceases to amaze me how amateurs who think they know what they are doing can turn a safe (when done by books) activity, into a life-threatening one.. Stop what you are doing, if you teach courses on this, quit your job or you will be held liable when you get somebody killed.

[@sknowlton001]

And look at her hair---at one point it was only about 6 inches from her ATC. And--no helmet?

[@LEDENICAJINCOCACOLA]

Could you just delete this video because it is misleading or change the title to: How not to rappel?

[@brisktea55]

you dont gloves when double rope rappeling, i actually have to feed to rope through when rappeling on two ropes , unless you weigh like 200 punds plus your not going very fast, using a figure 8 on a single rope thats another situation your gonna wants gloves lol