How to Make a Rappelling Belt

Rappelling lets you push and jump down cliffs or steep slopes using an anchored safety rope attached to a rappelling belt or harness. If you are traveling light in the mountains and want to maximize each piece of gear you take, bring along a 10-feet length of 1-inch tubular webbing for multiple purposes. One use for the webbing is as an emergency or impromptu rappelling belt-harness. The rappelling belt, also called a harness, wraps around the thigh on both legs as well as the waist to provide a three-point weight distribution on the body.

Things You'll Need

  • 10 feet of 1-inch tubular webbing
  • Locking carabiner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fold over the webbing so there is a loop in the center of the length of the webbing. Tuck the end of the loop into the center of your pants.

    • 2

      Grip each end of the webbing with a different hand and bring the ends up and past the rear-end and thigh. Bring the ends around to the front and pass the ends through the loops on the sides of the inner-thighs.

    • 3

      Bring the ends behind the back and cross them, pulling each end out past the lumbar of the back.

    • 4

      Wrap the two ends around the waist twice, making a solid belt across the hips.

    • 5

      Open the gate on the locking carabiner. A locking carabiner is a metal clip with a tube-shaped twisting lock. Slide the gate of the carabiner up through the waist loops of the rappelling belt. CLose the gate and twist the lock clockwise until it stops. Turn the lock back 1/4 turn to keep it from seizing when under pressure.