Rappelling, taken from the Old French word rapel, means to descend from a cliff using a rope passed under one thigh, across the body, and over the opposite shoulder using a friction device, according to Merriam-Webster. It is a controlled descent that, although extremely popular among climbing enthusiasts, requires a certain amount of precaution and practice.
Basics
Rappelling is primarily practiced by mountain climbers and used when the descent back down a mountain or cliff is too steep to accomplish without safety gear. Some enthusiasts prefer to eschew the climbing part and go straight to the top of a cliff to rappel down.
Rope
Rope is a key mechanism of rappelling. Some climbers use specialized climbing ropes to rappel down a cliff or mountain, and others use static ropes. Although climbing ropes can move about freely, static ropes reduce bouncing and can make the downward trip easier.
Anchors
Anchors are basically anything the rappeller can grasp onto on the way down. Natural anchors might include trees, boulders or outcroppings in a cliff. Man-made anchors include nuts and hexes that are inserted into the mountain or cliff surface.
Other Gear
A climbing harness facilitates rappelling by securing around the rappeller's waist and utilizing special knots that can prevent falls if the rappeller loses control. A helmet, boots, gloves and knee pads are also recommended to protect the rappeller's body from unintended injuries during the descent.
Considerations
Any loose clothing or safety straps should be firmly secured before rappelling, as these things can get caught on gear and hamper the descent. Anchor points should be well-grounded, not sharp, and free of obstructions. Avoid using older, worn-out ropes for rappelling; checking a rope for wear points before rappelling is a good habit to adopt.
