Being safe and efficient when abseiling - some top tips!

Abseiling chat with a lush view!

[johnfletcher]

Must say, this video is excellently framed!

[mountaineer]

Great info! I’m certain you have saved lives through you videos! I am learning a great deal from your videos even though I have been climbing since 1975.

[evanburgeson]

Since I watched one of your abseil videos where you talk about tightening up the prusik before you thread your ATC I have always done that and it just makes it so smooth to check your prusik is holding and also makes threading the ATC so easy with no load on the ropes. Love it. Remember, slow is smooth and smooth is fast!

Not really a fan of abseiling myself unless I have to, to save myself a long walk. My ideal setup would be a sling round a nice chunky tree, with a fairly cheap screwgate. I'd much rather leave some gear than risk becoming a splat at the base of the crag. I remember a long time ago when I knew virtually nothing, I ended up in a situation where retreat entailed a 2 pitch abseil on a limestone cliff (A rock type that I really wasn't very familiar with being more into Grit). I was a student at the time and very short of money, and not really interested in leaving gear behind either. Pure luck that I survived that experience. Abseiling is an activity where one mistake can result in death, it's just NOT worth taking any unnecessary risks!

[zurbruggpaul]

Thank you so much for that high quality content on your channel, the way you teach things is so easy to remember when i‘m out and learning it.
I also like to think of your calm voice on an abseil where it gets hairy.
You are the guy i recommend watching when someone asks for more information about belaying, abseiling, bulding anchors etc.
Thank you so much!

[elduderino_dude_hisdudeshi]

Love your videos…even though my American ears only understand like 97% of what you’re saying!😆

[mrnosy]

Thanks for the awesome videos! A few related questions: Would you ever carry say 60m of 5-6mm accessory cord so you can use it as a tag line in the event that you have to cut the rope on the abseil (because rope gets stuck and you can't lead up)? Also, what do you think about tag lines in general? When tying ropes together of different diameter for doing a retrievable abseil as normal, should you use a double fishermans or is EDK fine? And how many mm difference is considered "different diameter"? Would you treat 8.7 and 9mm as the same?

[bushcraftsnowdonia]

I started extending my belay Device with a sling few years back and like you find it much more clearer. Great video

[Roddy]

Another cracking video Jez. Always good to refresh on the most dangerous part of climbing!

[davedesmond]

Clipping the lanyard to the rope you want to pull is brilliant! I never remember 🤣

[ericfletcher]

Another great video Jez. I particularly like the tip with the clove hitch on the Petzl lanyard for an extended belay device and safety in one. Will deffo try that one out, thank you. Happy Climbing.

[matthewporr]

I appreciate that acknowledge some of the more premium options but emphasize that it can all be done safely and effectively with the basic gear and the multipurpose aspect is a benefit of using the basic equipment.

[duncansproul]

Nice video Jez! Couple of nice wee tips I hadn't thought of too. One question I have, is there a particular reason for choosing an overhand tying the ropes together? I was taught to use a double fishermans.

[coreyhutchonson]

even though ive had formal training its great to get some refresher stuff like this Jez. Really appreciate the vids. ill send you a coffee!

[Chitario]

Well done. Thats the textbook way of doing it. Might want to get a better camera angle and get closer so we can see it a bit better

[dadbod]

Mate id love to see a vid about multi pitch sport climbing, specifically setting up belay for the lead.

[thecma]

Excellent! This makes me want a video on building alpine rappel anchors that use as little gear as possible...

[samkelson]

Leg loop 3rd hand is not safe as you pointed out in your video. There are body positions where the third hand could jam the ATC. Extended raps w/ third hand at belay loop is the safest method I have seen.

[vfnt]

What a great video. Very informative and focused on making it understandable.
Great revision for me so I can somewhat put my actions into words when teaching.
Get that sub

[gs-mvph]

“I know my videos go on at the best of times” hahaha cracked me up. You’ve always got great content mate, keep it up 👌