Rappelling

Accidents happen. Every climber should be able to troubleshoot difficult rappel situations, and one of the best ways is by mastering the buddy rappel.

After losing her friend to a rappelling accident and her father to a heart attack, our writer grapples with what it means to lead a well-lived life.

Don't know how far it is to the next rappel anchor, and/or your rope is too short to make it?

Unbelievable save on Astroman. A once-in-a-lifetime lucky moment of bad luck.

If I'd hopped off the ledge or tried to weight the sling, I would've fallen a few hundred feet to the ground. I felt sick to my stomach for a couple weeks after that one.

It was a double-rope rappel, but he only clipped his rap device to one rope.

When your rope is stuck, you ain’t going nowhere. Here are my hard-won tips for getting your rope unstuck and—even better—preventing it from happening in the first place.

Rappelling is one of climbing's most dangerous acts. Mark Synnott, through decades of experience, has figured out various techniques he learned the hard way so you don't have to.

Always thread the rope through the anchor, not around it.

A directional is a piece of gear, be it a bolt or a cam or a nut, that places your climbing rope in the most appropriate location for zigs and zags on a climb.

This simple rig can eliminate one of climbing's causes of fatalities.

Use these methods for better rappelling—and rap backups.

This versatile hitch has a myriad uses. Here's yet another one.

Rappelling in alpine terrain can be the crux of big routes. Stuck ropes, high winds, leaving gear... a lot can go wrong. Here are five tips to stack your odds.

Andrew Allen Arvig, 31, passed away during the night of Saturday, November 27, after overshooting a ledge while rappelling and becoming stranded overnight.

Where do you find superhuman strength? If someone you love is utterly dependent on your efforts, sometimes you discover it’s already within you.

Everyone has heard of the distraught mother lifting a car off of her baby. But grabbing a bolt while saving a falling climber? That one is new.

Check out Alexis Mallon's author page.

Professional mountain guide Rob Coppolillo explains four ways simul-rappelling can be unsafe and why it might not actually save time.

Going vegetarian isn't just animal friendly, it can help your health and the Earth, and giving up meat isn't difficult nor does it impose any hardships.

What to do when your hair gets hopelessly stuck in your rappel device.

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

Everyone gets their rope stuck at some point. Internationally certified mountain guide Marc Chauvin recommends two solutions to help you solve most stuck rappels.

Check out Esq.'s author page.

Unsent /un-sent/ 1. To have failed so badly on a route you had previously climbed that you negate your redpoint. 2. A humor column.

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Professional mountain guide Marc Chauvin describes a simple technique to steady a scary rappel.

Pro climber Heather Weidner shares 5 ways to be safe and considerate at the crag

SCARY (AND TRUE) TALES FROM A CRAG NEAR YOU

Check out Andrew Burr's author page.

More fundamentals for multi-pitch awesomeness to get you to the top—and back down—safely.

Check out Ryan Siacci, Esq.'s author page.

How to descend safely with a haulbag

Check out Climbing Staff's author page.

Follow these guidelines to maximize rappel safety

El Potrero Chico, Mexico, is a big wall sport climbing paradise with short approaches, a tight community, and the world's best and biggest margaritas. When Editor Julie Ellison set off on her own life-list trip south of the border, she had no idea that the experience would change her as a climber forever.

Scary (And True) Tales From A Crag Near You

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Check out Julie Ellison's author page.

Check out Kevin Corrigan's author page.

Check out Julie Ellison's author page.

Check out Ian Nicholson's author page.

Check out Liz Drummond's author page.

Long rappel descents can quickly turn into expensive ordeals when you have to leave a few pieces of gear at every rappel.

Check out Kurt Hicks's author page.

Check out Eli Helmuth's author page.

Check out Rob Hess's author page.

Check out Dale Remsberg's author page.

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Check out Eli Helmuth's author page.

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Check out Cpl. Jeffrey Belovarac's author page.