Abseiling vs rappelling reddit May 18, 2025 · Abseiling: Explore the thrill of abseiling (rappelling) in our guide, covering top U. Drop the PAS and opt for a double length sling, a single length sling and some Abseiling and Rappelling are two different terms used to describe roping down off of a structure, but what do they mean? Are they the same thing? What is the difference between abseiling and rappelling? There is no difference. Rappelling is the more commonly used name for this technique in the United States and Canada. abseiling or "rapping") is an important technique that every new climber should learn and learn well. Also your device may accept smaller diameter ropes but that may just mean 8mm, you might fly down a 6mm in an unsafe manner with a figure 8. Abseiling is the act of using a rope to descend a rock face or chasm that is too dangerous to descend without. So, let’s get into it! A lack of abseil back-ups in caves is a multi faceted issue. Or even fastrope. In rappelling: Abseiling in Cape Town, South Africa. Rock climbers and rappellers use climbing rope, climbing harnesses, and belay devices to abseil. When rappelling you are essentially controlling your own movement down a rope with the assistance of a belay device. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. You need to have 1. What is/would be your preffered way to rappel on a 6mm rope like the petzl rad line? Are there any devices like the petzl reverso or black diamond atc that work on a 6mm rope? thanks in advance for help:) The different types of rappelling are: Standard rappels Australian rappels Hanging rappels Military rappels Simul-rappel Fireman’s belay Tandem rappels It’s important to know about the different types of rappelling so that you’re aware of what’s appropriate for what situations, and any differences in the gear you need to carry. Aug 15, 2025 · Rappelling (abseiling) = controlled rope descent from cliffs or vertical drops using harness, rope, and friction device. The dry coating keeps the water from penetrating into the core which keeps it flexible enough to comfortably work with. Why do most pictures of rappelling and rock-climbing look the same? They both involve rocks and ropes. K. Based on my research, here are some reasons I believe rappelling is more popular than abseiling. Could someone explain? Jul 26, 2025 · Discover beginner abseiling techniques with a guide on abseiling vs rappelling - your descent into adventure starts here! Do you prefer to rappel from a double strand, eg a rope run through a ring at the halfway point with two strands going through an ATC guide? Or do you prefer to Figure-8-on-a-bight + Carabiner at the halfway point so it can't pass through the ring, rappel down a single strand using a GriGri/Fig8/ATC and pull the knotted side when you reach the ground? My local climbing course taught the first The Mega and Giga Jul are belay devices that are basically an ATC but with the added bonus of assisted braking (like the Gri Gri). Rappelling requires the helicopter to sit still in the air until the whole Chalk departs, making them very vulnerable. I also use one at work for lowering gear. The most important thing when buying a harness for climbing or abseiling is that it fits comfortably. I want to avoid using slings and be able to easily adjust the length at anchors. Location In the U. I hear that the grigri petzl is particularly good. Australian abseiling (also known as Australian rappelling, Rap Jumping, Angel Jumping or deepelling) is the process of descending a fixed rope in a standing position while facing the ground. S. But is rappelling the same as abseiling, or do these two terms refer to different things? Rappelling and Abseiling are both commonly used in the climbing community, but no one really knows why there are two terms to describe one activity. Oct 15, 2021 · What Is Abseiling? Abseiling is the use of a rope for a controlled descent of a rock face or climbing wall. ATS, CRITR etc. Miscommunication is a huge reason for climbing accidents and there is a list of instances where someone was taken off belay because they thought they were rappelling while the intent was actually lowering. 1. Compare the different features of these two on the diff word platform. Jul 24, 2024 · What is rappelling? Rappelling is the climbing term used to describe the act of descending a mountain, crag or wall on a rope that is attached to an anchor at the top. Sorry to say that I dont think rappelling will make its way into the game any time soon. At least in a normal abseil/rappel you'd have the rope deployed ahead of you and you can control your descent. --when using any sort of climbing rope where we are weighting the rope and using it for safety equipment, we must always check our rope for any sort of sheath / core damage that could result in sudden break of the rope. The home of Climbing on reddit. Check out or guide to get started! Jul 19, 2025 · Explore the thrilling differences between Rap Jumping, abseiling, Aussie rappel, and deepelling. Rappelling and abseiling have been thrown around a lot. I’d go with two large HMS/pear shaped ‘biners. Mar 9, 2021 · Home - Climb - Abseiling Safely: The Complete Guide on How to Rappel Proper abseiling technique is a valuable skill for every rock climber and mountaineer to have in their pocket. Included: Rappelling gear list, what is rappelling, rappelling styles and more! What's the Best Rope Descenders in 2024? Here's a list of top 7 Rope Descenders For Climbers based on years of experience, real users’ reviews and safety features Relatively new to climbing, only a few months in and haven't gotten outside yet, but making great progress leading indoors and consuming every iota of climbing media on earth and trying to learn everything about every discipline. What is the difference between abseil and rappel? Learn how to use each word properly on Dictionary. I use them for abseiling sometimes, usually when I'm mine exploring, because belay plates have too much friction on dirty 11mm ropes and I'm too tight to buy a stop. Abseiling is a word used by the UK and the Germans which means the I'm preparing to do a 40m single rope abseil to access a site, and I'm wondering whether it's OK to do this using just a GRIGRI+ and a backup prusik, or whether I need to get a dedicated descender like the STOP, RIG or I'D. Most people are so concerned about going up the wall that they fail to prepare for the (arguably more important) counterpart: safely coming back down. It is important to note that not every belay device used for belaying can be used with 1. The videos look like people projecting the nose or other big walls fall over and over again like it's top roping in the gym. Rappelling involves using a rope and a specialized tool called a descender to descend a vertical surface, like a rock face or a building. It is meant only of emergencies but I think its good and interesting to know how. Do any of you NOT use a prusik (or other type of friction hitch) when rappelling/abseiling? So what’s the difference between rappelling and abseiling? Rappelling and abseiling are the same thing; both activities involve lowering yourself in a controlled descent via a piece of rope. I'm not a trad dad, but to me this seems a little bit scary; I can't quite put my finger on it but I absolutely prefer to instead use it as a normal ATC and with a prusik. While being lowered by a belayer is generally the most ideal way Learn the basics of rappelling, including preparing at the top of a route, setting up the rappel, using a backup and rappelling down. And yes we are scared of falling. Abseiling is done with the use of an abseil device and will always have another person at the bottom to ensure your safety. Rappelling or abseiling is a mountaineering term used for the technique of descending a steep face with a climbing rope. A person on rappel uses friction or mechanical breaking devices to control the descent. Apr 24, 2019 · Most harnesses also come with at least one gear loop which is where you can attach additional climbing equipment but if you’re looking for a harness purely to abseil with, you don’t really need many of these. There are basically three ways to descend; walk off, lower or abseil (rappel). This leads to a personal choice by most of not using traditional prusik or mechanical device. Repelling is something else :P The 101st troops typically don't rappel from the helicopter. Jun 4, 2021 · Is Abseiling More Popular Than Rappelling? I find this topic on rock climbing terminologies interesting because of the debate between German and French climbers. Be prepared to do a multiple pitch rappel if necessary. If the anchor points utilize hardware, the rope is typically threaded through rappel rings so that the mid-point of the rope is at the top, giving two strands of What brand in particular. I have always used an normal climbing rope, but now the time has come for me to use a lighter alternative. Make sure to leave a good bit of tail and cinch the overhand down well. Explore the best of Texas rock climbing near Austin and beyond! Join our climbing at Reimers Ranch, Mineral Wells State Park, and Enchanted Rock. Abseiling techniques come in handy for rock climbing, mountaineering, caving, and canyoning. These are Noun, Verb that highlight the main differences between Abseil vs Rappel. Dec 29, 2023 · Generally, rappelling and abseiling are both terms used for lowering yourself using a rope or cable as well as some sort of control mechanism. Black diamond ‘biners have locking mechanisms that are sub-par in sandy conditions IMO, avoid them. Learn more! I'm struggling to understand what the difference (s) is/are between "lowering" and "rappelling" from a sport anchor. I never use one when I'm climbing because a dmm pivot does everything I need. 7 Types of Rappelling revealed! Standard, Military, Simul and more. Highly recommend this video as a resource for rappel extension as extending the rappel makes everything soooo much easier. 3M subscribers in the climbing community. Also, can the grigri be used for rappelling as well? Share Add a Comment Sort by: Best Open comment sort options Best Top New Controversial Old Q&A wiredog369 • Jul 26, 2025 · Recognise abseiling vs rappelling You might see the words “abseiling” and “rappelling” appearing on different websites or in conversation with fellow enthusiasts. A prusik knot therefore is Apr 4, 2025 · We tested 13 climbing ropes from Sterling, Petzl, Edelrid, Mammut, and others to find the best options for you. In my 25 years of climbing I have had only a few semi-scary climbing moments, but three very near-death abseiling moments all complacency. Be prepared to do a double-rope single pitch rappel. Comprehensive guide to provide a complete look at rappelling techniques. I’m about 190 sans gear and prefer the sqwurel given my extra weight. Both words, in essence, mean the same thing. Book your adventure today for an unforgettable experience! Apr 4, 2025 · We tested 15 climbing harnesses from Petzl, Black Diamond, Blue Ice, and more to find the top options for all climbing styles. Just pure content 👊🏻 Jai Bhole Ki! This community is for those implementing Bryan Johnson's Blueprint. It's faster to land and have everyone jump out, and much easier to coordinate multiple helos. The technique is particularly useful for naval infantry, who can use it to board ships at sea. I do alot of mine exploring though. I have seen auto block knot used to to make rappelling with a belay device safer, and I know that you can belay someone who is using a safety 8 by holding the rope underneath them and pulling down, but is there a way to safely back up your rappel when using a safety 8 that doesn't involve a belayer below you? The locking biners (also called screwgates, sometimes) are for things like attaching your belay/rappel device to your harness, or clipping into an anchor with a sling (or personal anchor system), or in a top rope anchor. 4mm rope. In this video, I explore the history behind Rappelling isn't a time to mess around with too thin of a rope that isn't static and made specifically for rappelling. com The main difference between abseiling vs rappelling is that rappelling is done without the use of an abseil device and the other person holding the rope. Conquered my fear of heights that day. Besides experience and skills, you need to carefully prepare your rappelling gear. I have the petzl rope you mentioned, the only difference between it and many other cords is that the sheath is made from aramid fiber and is extra rough to provide more friction. The main difference between the two terms involves their usage and history. k. Bouldering focuses on strength, technique, and problem-solving; rappelling focuses on rope skills, anchor setup, and steady descent control. Like others have said the autoblock/prusik should go below the rappel device to act as a third “hand” and not actually take all the weight, your rappel device still does the majority of the heavy lifting. Rappelling is what is commonly used in the United States. Rappelling (a. It is a climbing technique used to get down in a timely and efficient manner, as opposed to having to climb back down. Book now ! If you asked the manufacturer they would say absolutely not due to obvious liability, however if you understand the risks then you can make your own decision. You will either lower or abseil to get down from most sport routes. Plus, it rappels better than other mechanical devices. [2] I've read a few posts on here about rappelling with an ATC versus a Gri Gri and I'm just curious why the vast majority of people choose the ATC over the Gri Gri when they have both available? I'm still far from an expert, but to me rapping with a Gri Gri just seems like such a safer choice. Subreddit for the youtube channel Bald and Bankrupt No fancy editing, no cliché montages, no boring introductions. The SQWUREL 2: When canyoneering, you sometimes need something a little more technical. They refer to the same core activity: descending a steep surface using a rope. More to the point, how does the whole rope climbing work? Can I abseil with my rope around a giant rock as my anchor? Not done much climbing in a fair few years. a. I’ll admit I’ve used a single half rope to simul in easy terrain a bunch. Me abseiling down a 25 meter waterfall at the start of the bottom part of the Ecouges in the Drôme in France The two words abseiling and rappelling are often confused simply because they sound similar, but what is the difference between Dec 11, 2020 · A complete guide to all things rappelling gear. hey guys and girls I‘m looking for a new rope to go ski mountaineering. Rappelling is often the only way to get down from a route. Rappelling involves cleaning the anchor then using a personal belay device (commonly an ATC, grigri or other) to rappel/abseil back down to the base of the climb. It's more commonly referred to as abseiling in some countries. The Palikoa pivot has functionalities of both, but a friend that uses it has mentioned Feb 10, 2020 · There is more to climbing than just going up. In the UK, “abseiling” is more widely used, whereas in the US, “rappelling” is the norm. Anything related to indoor (and outdoor) goes. Now, you can also use this device to rappel without a prusik. Get a couple small lightweight locking biners. Given you’ve canyoneered typically in Utah and don’t plan on doing class C, a critr would work well for the amount of wear some stuff in Utah can do to gear. Air Assault or Some people on r/climbing or MountainProject will put a lot of energy into being upset about people who lower on sport routes, but it boils down to the fact that lowering is safer than rappelling since you're never off belay. Rappelling with a 9mm single rope in an ATC and an 11mm single rope in a grigri are very It looks like they were depending on some device or 2nd person to belay them. Second of all, if rappelling, knot the ends of your rope. Abseiling is the same thing. I think you should be able to determine with experimentation if you have achieved enough friction for rappelling safely. Wife uses and prefers the critr and her weight is a little below yours. I, however, go out to my crag, make an anchor on a 60 foot wall and before rappelling down click the gates on my biners 10 times at least to make sure they are locked, pull on the cordalette as hard as I can, weight my rope, shit my pants, and then lower myself down. com. What exactly is the difference? Rock climbing is a sport that involves climbing natural rock formations or artificial rock walls with or without rope. Lowering is simpler and thus slightly safer. However, each term has its own cultural twist. 15 votes, 44 comments. A system that would allow for abseiling would be incredibly useful for carefully descending into ravines, deep caves, tall overhangs, etc. Nov 14, 2024 · It is commonly used in activities like rock climbing, mountaineering, caving, canyoning, and rescue operations to safely descend cliffs, rock faces, or other vertical surface Rappelling involves lowering oneself down a climbing rope, differing from belaying, where the rope moves while the belayer remains stationary. . Rock Climbing an abseiling can be a technical sport – there’s plenty of abseil specific gear you need and a ton of different abseiling techniques to master. Thankfully we had enough rope to avoid a single stranded rappel here. If East Tennessee rappelling. Images Share Add a Comment Sort by: Best Open comment sort options GetAtMeWolf • May 19, 2022 · There is an important distinction between the two methods involved for descending a route: lowering is when a belayer lowers a climber and rappelling is when a climber lowers themselves. Sep 29, 2022 · What’s Rappelling? Rappelling, also known as abseiling in some parts of the world, is a technique of lowering oneself down a rope using a rappel device. Rappelling, also known as abseiling, is a technique used to descend ropes. I suppose most trad routes are equipped with permanent bolts at the top where you can set up an anchor and rappel/abseil down but what if there is none? I guess you'd either need to use a natural feature to set up the anchor or build your own permanent bolt? Otherwise I can see no way to get down without leaving some climbing equipment behind (by climbing equipment i mean the protection you Oct 28, 2023 · Abseiling, also known as rappelling, is a sport where you descend a vertical surface using a rope and other specialized equipment. See full list on supersherpas. It requires a strong sense Consider a figure 8 style device with some sort of way to control friction and lock off on rappel. However, they differ in their primary focus and techniques. Mechanical devices, especially the more enclosed mechanisms, have issues with some of the dirty ropes typical in underground environments. The Edelrid Giga Jul: For people who put rock climbing first and rappelling second, the Giga Jul is the closest thing that the world has ever seen to a true all-arounder. Aug 15, 2025 · Rock climbing vs abseiling - uncover the thrilling differences for your next adventure! Feb 26, 2025 · Abseiling, also known as rappelling in some parts of the world, is a thrilling adventure sport that challenges both the body and the mind. For abseiling/rappelling it is easier to tie, untie, inspect and less likely to get snagged when pulling ropes compared to a double fisherman’s. Rappelling, also known as abseiling, primarily focuses on descending a vertical surface using ropes and specialized equipment. The aim is to reach the summit or end point of a formation through free-climbing using your own Jun 20, 2023 · Experts cover rappelling—its main principles, counter-weight rappelling, fixed line rappelling, extending your rappel, and selecting your rappel back-up system. 4M subscribers in the climbing community. Like its uses, why its different, pros & cons Also which one I should get, I have been using my gyms belay devices, which is just a regular ACT, and I want my own. For a standard rappel, a climber will secure a climbing rope to a top anchor. Rappelling vs. Rappelling is mostly done to insert small groups into terrain that prohibits landing. It covers such factors, options, and insights, as safety harness, helmet, carabiners, descender device, ascenders, and so on. Whether you are rappelling one pitch, or in a multi-pitch setting, there are many important things you need to know about rigging a rappel. The 2 biggest things to keep in mind are that thin ropes cut more easily on edges, and half/twin ropes stretch much more, which can result in decking on a Sep 19, 2023 · Ultimate abseiling equipment buying guide. But I need someone to recommend me something else as well. Rappelling is sometimes the only way to get off a route 333 votes, 102 comments. /Europe, abseiling is the more general term used. A lot of climbing accidents happen when rappelling, even among experienced climbers, so stick to lowering when you can. What’s the difference between rappelling, abseiling, and canyoning? Learn the origins of these sports and how Rappel Maui combines them for an unforgettable experience! I only use dry ropes for ice climbing and mountaineering/glacier travel. Rock Climbing What's the Difference? Rappelling and rock climbing are both thrilling outdoor activities that involve scaling heights and conquering vertical terrains. From advice on which gym to visit to videos of world cup IFSC climbers, you can find it all here. *Tutorial* An Ancient Abseil/Rappelling technique that utilizes just a rope and is safer than the Dülfersitz method (a more common method). I've probably watched a thousand videos on building anchors, rappelling, placing protection, etc. But which one is the best? Belay devices come in three different categories — tube-style, auto-blocking devices, and assisted braking devices — and our expert climbing testers have put in hundreds of hours belaying and testing all three kinds. Newbie climber here, what is the difference in the belay devices from black diamond? Specifically the ATC, the ATC-XP, and the Figure 8. I couldn't really find anything on this but can I use the Adjust connect to extend my belay device during an Sep 11, 2023 · On rappel in the Tetons, on this particular day I used the Grivel Scream with a Sterling V-TX 5. Common causes are abseiling off the end of the rope, failure to connect properly, getting stuck on a tangled rope, or just simply letting go. What's up r/rappelling? I'm relatively new to the whole rappelling scene, and I am just curious if anyone on here knows any good places to drop rope in the eastern Tennessee or western North Carolina area. Would love to hear your It's rappelling, the word comes from French. The result is a comprehensive comparison-tested review, and some It basically comes down to culture and climbing history. Learn about these extreme adventure sports, and discover the exhilarating abseiling experiences offered by Rap Jumping company today. Abseiling is more commonly used in the United Kingdom and Europe. what Siege does where you can go up (which realistically is quite difficult!) Aug 15, 2025 · If you want a deeper dive into these differences, take a peek at rock climbing vs rappelling. Nov 10, 2022 · Rappelling is dangerous. Fast roping is quicker than abseiling (rappelling), although more dangerous, [1] particularly if the person is carrying a heavy load, because the rope is not attached to them with a descender. Nov 27, 2023 · Rappelling Harness A rappelling harness is a type of harness specifically designed for rappelling, also known as abseiling. Things like birthday parties and kids teams weren't really a thing. Maybe in the future, though many maps aren't built for it, and we'd probably only allow abseiling vs. A subreddit for people interested in abseiling and rappelling Jun 3, 2022 · Learn this reliable system, which includes a backup and basic rope-ascent skills, to make your rappelling safer. As with many rock climbers, cavers consider back ups typically as a hassle. This will help you decide if you'd prefer the mental puzzle of climbing or the thrill of a controlled descent-or both! Abseiling and skydiving Skydiving might seem like a completely separate world, but the two share a love for heights and adrenaline. I work at the gym here in my town and the method we use when setting the top rope routes seems like it Oct 30, 2018 · I've been thinking about buying either the dual adjust or adjust connect from Petzl. locations, essential gear, safety tips, and psychological benefits. While walking down or lowering off can be much safer, knowing how to rappel is an essential skill in every climber's arsenal. I'm fairly new to trad and have mainly done single pitch but will be doing more multipitches and sport going forward. Rock climbers use rappelling in descent. Explore the best Enchanted Rock climbing routes and join our Texas rock climbing tours. May 5, 2025 · A belay device is essential for catching falls anytime you're climbing on a rope. Once you reach the top of the cliff you’ve scaled, you will need to get back down. I’ll be using it for abseil and on glaciers Has anyone any suggestions, the only thing that got recommended to me was from Petzl the Rad Line thx A subreddit for the indoor bouldering community. A rappelling harness is made to evenly distribute the climber’s weight across the body and to safely fasten them to the rope. I don't feel that it makes any difference in other situations. Back when climbing gyms first opened in my city the culture was full of anti-establishment, weird misfits. yzwrvq ufns ypvh yzfzm kgdes vrynma bedvhh uasdqf nide zmnw meodz zlfrlgbq hafqg hfnpk zikuqc