Rock Climbing: How to Rappel

More accidents happen on rappel than any other part of climbing, so always take your time, make sure your systems are redundant and practice the steps before you head to the cliff. In this video, we show you how to set up a rappel extension, how to thread the rope through your rappel device, how to back up the rappel with a friction hitch and how to rappel down the wall.

To learn more, view our:
Rock Climbing: Cleaning a Top-Rope Anchor
Rock Climbing: Building a Top-Rope Anchor Using the Quad videos.

[lpleme]

One of my first times rappelling, my friend tied me in to the belay device at the top of the cliff. When I got to the bottom, his son, who had been in Special Forces and was an expert at rappelling, looked at my set up, looked up the cliff at his dad and shouted, "Dad, you tied him in wrong! Didn't we already go over this?!" Oops.

[JW-kgue]

I have to repel for my EMT and ALS class, I'm nervous but even more excited!!!

[Deepakqwerty]

3:15 make sure your shoes are secured too

[Matt-gonv]

These videos are well made and to the point. Amazing job

[jixuancheng]

I will put friction hitch first! So after you pull the rope up, this friction hitch will hold the rope for you and way easy to put belay device in!

[scottbeckel]

I’m goin camping and rappelling so this really helps 😊

[ericengberg]

When you are "tending the friction hitch with one hand" - have the hand gripping the ropes above the hitch and sliding it down and not clamped down directly on top of the hitch,

[GetUrPhil]

I've used a Prusik knot clipped onto my right leg loop and the ropes off to the right where my prusik knot is, for a brake(Friction hitch).

[Berealfool]

I’d hate for them to see how I rappelled as a kid at camp with a carabiner and figure 8. But hey, it was the 80’s!

[heli]

2:24 that is a PAS, it doesn't matter if it's hooked up to two links unless you clip the biner that went direct to the anchor back into the belay loop....nm commented too quickly

[acctbaytbaysection]

Make sure you initially set up the Rappel Device at the MIDPOINT of the PAS loops. That way you won't have the extra slack of loops dangling when you clip the anchor-biner back to the harness belay loop. Positioning the rappel device that full distance away also allows the friction hitch to function properly if needed by not bumping into the belay device.
And NEVER use a Daisy Chain sling for this method! It's not designed for this application!

[alexandreharvey]

Make sure you have 4 shoes just in case

[kjelldegroot]

Isn't a prusik knot better than a friction hitch as a security?

[TakeaHike]

Also, never rappel alone... always have someone w you in case bad turn into worst...

[zin]

I need a not so expensive rappelling kit.. would anyone please provide any link to buy?

[morotegari]

Like the flyattendents instructions... Thnk you to fly with rappel airways..

[Mihaynd]

How does clipping into two points of the personal anchor system make it redundant? If the chain closer to you breaks you lose the carabiner since it's connected to that loop. One break corresponds to critical failure, and does not mean its redundant

[GruntProof]

Man all those toys make you need an expert on site.

[nVitius]

How is clipping your carabiner through two loops redundant? If the bottom one fails, being clipped into the top one does nothing.

[jarnodatema]

What do i do if i'm afraid i'll fall and freak out?