How to Rappel on a Rope

A climber has many options for descending a steep cliff or wall, the most common of which is rappelling. To rappel, a climber affixes a rope to an anchor, and uses a descending device to safely control the speed of the descent. If you wish to take the rope down after the rappel, a double-rope style enables to climber to pull the rope from the bottom after reaching the ground. If multiple people are rappelling, or if you wish to leave the rope there to ascend later on, a single-rope rappel is best. Different styles require different techniques, however, these are easy to master.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope
  • Harness
  • Descending device
  • Rappel ring
  • Locking carabiner
  • Helmet
  • Gloves
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Instructions

  1. Single-Rope Rappel

    • 1

      Anchor the rope on one end so that a single strand hangs down the side of the cliff. Tie a knot at the end of the rope before lowering it to the ground; the knot prevents the potentially fatal accident of rappelling off the end of the rope before reaching the ground. Put on your climbing harness, helmet and rappelling gloves; connect a locking carabiner and descending device to your harness.

    • 2

      Connect the rope to your descending device. Each device is different and should be used according to the exact manufacturer's description for that device. Lock the carabiner and double check everything for safety before continuing.

    • 3

      Pull any slack through the descending device, making the rope tight between you and the anchor. Approach the edge of the cliff slowly walking backwards. As you put your weight on the rope, slowly allow the rope to feed through the descending device.

    • 4

      Lower yourself over the edge. For most people this is the most difficult and scariest part. Straighten your legs and keep them at waist level and slowly walk your way down the cliff. Feed the rope slowly to prevent a dangerous, uncontrolled descent.

    • 5

      After reaching the ground, pull some slack through the descending device. Unlock the carabiner and remove the rope from the descending device.

    Double-Rope Rappel

    • 6

      Measure the distance between the top of the wall and the ground. If the distance is less than half the length of the rope, proceed with a double-rope rappel. Ropes are typically sold in lengths of 50, 60 and 70 meters (165, 197, and 230 feet) so a double-rope rappel should be used for cliffs between 80 and 115 feet.

    • 7

      Attach a rappel ring to the anchor. The ring will allow the rope to be removed from the anchor from the bottom of the cliff with minimal friction and minimal damage to the rope.

    • 8

      Thread the rope through the rappel ring until the middle of the rope is at the anchor and either end of the rope are touching the ground. Tie a knot to both ends of the rope.

    • 9

      Thread both sides of the rope through the descending device and proceed to rappel. After reaching the ground, untie the knots in the rope and pull one side of the rope until it releases from the anchor.