Abseiling is sliding down a rope in a controlled manner. It is commonly used in conjunction with climbing where there is an access problem. So if the bottom of a climb is washed by the sea you would abseil down the route from the top then climb back up. Likewise if you got to the top of a climb and could not walk off, you would abseil back down then pull your rope down after you. It is a very useful skill to learn – oh, and it’s great fun too!
Can I fall if I let go? – A very common question.
No you can’t, the way we do it.
When you are learning you will have 2 ropes attached to your harness so if you did let go (not a natural thing to do) the instructor who controls 1 of the ropes would stop your fall before it went anywhere. However you are in control all the time you are holding a rope. It is possible to abseil without this safety rope but then we use a clever device called a prussik loop which grabs the rope if you let go – like a car seatbelt grabs hold if pulled hard.
Can I fall if I let go? – A very common question.
No you can’t, the way we do it.
When you are learning you will have 2 ropes attached to your harness so if you did let go (not a natural thing to do) the instructor who controls 1 of the ropes would stop your fall before it went anywhere. However you are in control all the time you are holding a rope. It is possible to abseil without this safety rope but then we use a clever device called a prussik loop which grabs the rope if you let go – like a car seatbelt grabs hold if pulled hard.
Almost anyone can abseil, but if you are pregnant, have back problems or can’t fit in a harness then it’s not a good idea. We have abseiled off cliffs, towers, buildings, cranes, bridges and with all sorts of people – in fancy dress, wheelchairs, blind people, on skis and on mountain bikes to name a few. Abseiling is also used for fundraising events and we can provide this also.
Take a look at abseiling from Wells Cathedral:
