Rapelling Hate Thread

Ryan Hamilton wrote:Rappeling just never goes as fast as your brain thinks it should. Because it takes time to pull ropes re-coil them, tie together (if double rope rapping), double check your systems, etc. If the hike down isn't sketchy and will take about the same amount of time I will almost always choose the hike. I don't dislike rappeling, but it can sure be a pain.

Guy Keesee wrote: I see why it takes you so long.... "..Because it takes time to pull ropes re-coil them, tie together...." do you always coil your rope between raps?

Marc801 wrote: Like anything else in climbing, whether it's worth it for a specific climb needs to be decided based on the situation. In Yosemite it's faster and safer to walk off of Nutcracker, but I'll always rap off of Serenity/Sons.

I love rappelling. Not because I love to rappel, but because I have a bad knee, that I'll be having surgery numero dos on this year most likely. Hiking down a steep grade, might be my least favorite thing to do on it in it's current state, so if given the choice I'll take the rappel.

Early in my climbing life, I didn't back up, didn't even know about backups, and probably should count my blessings I never had an incident. But now that I know, I have a system, I have it dialed, and I don't even break a sweat at the thought of multiple pitches of rappelling. Just do my triple checks, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Ask a climber a question and he gives you a climbing answer. People who love to rappel aren't climbers.

rging wrote:People who love to rappel aren't climbers.

The Heat Miser in me love rappeling, the cold miser in me does not like rappeling.

Rapelling? Dislike it. I'd much rather abseil.

I've done a ton of rappelling and I almost always prefer it over a walk off. When you have to walk off you have to bring all your crap with you--shoes, backpack (even if it's mini), stuff in the pack, and on and on. I absolutely hate climbing with heavy, bulky items, and walk-offs mean climbing with more of that crap. Also, rappelling is often faster. I can simulrap a climb faster than hike down it most of the time.

It's like a second chance after the route to totally fuck up and die, what's not to like?

Healyje wrote:It's like a second chance to totally fuck up and die, what's not to like?

How about ice rappels? I used to not mind rappelling, until we had to bail from 400' up Gravity's Rainbow when a storm blew in. Try drilling a V-thread in a blizzard from a hanging belay, then rapping down into the white abyss on a stiff frozen rope... I was actually relieved to find some old rusted pitons for the last pitches. Fuck rappelling.

Been rappelling much longer than climbing, still love it, still prefer it to walking off. Kinda like humping a porcupine, if you don't like it that's fine, don't judge me for my kinda thrill!

Rapping and down climbing can both be heinous .. just depends on what route and area .. unfortunately we don't always know which is worse/better in advance. Another often used phrase: "The climb is only half over at the top."

Al Fylak wrote:Rapping and down climbing can both be heinous ..

That's part of the problem .. sometimes the "walk-off" involves unprotected down climbing. One slip/mistake and you take the big ride.

Al Fylak wrote:That's part of the problem .. sometimes the "walk-off" involves unprotected down climbing. One slip/mistake and you take the big ride.