RAPPELLING
Rappelling is very closely related to climbing and may sometimes be thrown into the climbing category because you use pretty much the same gear in both Rappelling and Climbing. Rappelling is different than climbing because rather than going up, you are going down the whole time. It is very, very basic, but it is so much fun! In order to Rappel, you must set up your Anchor, attach your Rope, and slide down...it’s just that simple.
Rappelling is very closely related to climbing and may sometimes be thrown into the climbing category because you use pretty much the same gear in both Rappelling and Climbing. Rappelling is different than climbing because rather than going up, you are going down the whole time. It is very, very basic, but it is so much fun! In order to Rappel, you must set up your Anchor, attach your Rope, and slide down...it’s just that simple.
GREAT SITES FOR RAPPELLING GEAR:
Grab These Few Things Out of Your Climbing Bag and You're All Set
1. Static Rope
Static Rope is standard rope that does not stretch when pulled tight. You want to use Static Rope when Rappelling because it is usually much cheaper and will twist less than Dynamic Rope.
2. ATC/Belay Device with a Carabiner
An ATC (Air Traffic Controller), a Belay Device, or a Rappelling device may be used in Rappelling. They all do basically the same thing and can be used to Rappel or Belay. This is the key piece in Rappelling because it is what stops you from sliding down the Rope without control.
3. Climbing Harness
The Climbing Harness is used in Rappelling so that your body will connect to the ATC/Belay Device/Rappelling Device, which is connected to the rope. It provides a comfortable sitting position for the person Rappelling.
4. Rappelling Gloves
Everything else on this list is a "make sure you don't fall" necessity, but Gloves are a "make sure I don't hate myself for doing this" necessity. If you have ever had rope run through you hands, you know what I mean. Protect your hands with some durable Gloves so that you will not be burned and you can go faster!
5. Clothing
Out of all of the outdoor activities on this site that require Clothing, Rappelling has the least amount of specifications: if you can put a Climbing Harness on, you are dressed appropriately for Rappelling.
6. Gear Pack
In order to keep all of your Rappelling Gear together, it is a good idea to have a simple Gear Bag/Gear Pack to store everything in. That way, you can just grab you Pack and go!
1. Static Rope
Static Rope is standard rope that does not stretch when pulled tight. You want to use Static Rope when Rappelling because it is usually much cheaper and will twist less than Dynamic Rope.
2. ATC/Belay Device with a Carabiner
An ATC (Air Traffic Controller), a Belay Device, or a Rappelling device may be used in Rappelling. They all do basically the same thing and can be used to Rappel or Belay. This is the key piece in Rappelling because it is what stops you from sliding down the Rope without control.
3. Climbing Harness
The Climbing Harness is used in Rappelling so that your body will connect to the ATC/Belay Device/Rappelling Device, which is connected to the rope. It provides a comfortable sitting position for the person Rappelling.
4. Rappelling Gloves
Everything else on this list is a "make sure you don't fall" necessity, but Gloves are a "make sure I don't hate myself for doing this" necessity. If you have ever had rope run through you hands, you know what I mean. Protect your hands with some durable Gloves so that you will not be burned and you can go faster!
5. Clothing
Out of all of the outdoor activities on this site that require Clothing, Rappelling has the least amount of specifications: if you can put a Climbing Harness on, you are dressed appropriately for Rappelling.
6. Gear Pack
In order to keep all of your Rappelling Gear together, it is a good idea to have a simple Gear Bag/Gear Pack to store everything in. That way, you can just grab you Pack and go!
RAPPELLING GEAR LIST: