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Rappelling? How?

leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
edited July 2002 in General Discussion
I have about $800 worth of brand new rappelling gear that I've bought over the last two years, and never used. I was wanting to learn how to rappel and handle rope, but my area is so flat that the only objects to rappel from are trees and man made objects. And there ain't no wear man made to do it without getting in trouble. And I have yet found a decent tree on any property owned by anyone I know. I can't find any books on it either. No one to teach me. I've even called out of city to try to make contacts here. Found a guy who had his own indoor climing wall but its not really tall enough to learn to rappel from.

My question is, how do you rappel? Are there any websites that have specific instructions? Any books? Can anyone tell me?

If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.

The sound of a 12 gauge pump clears a house fatser than Rosie O eats a Big Mac !
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Comments

  • MercuryMercury Member Posts: 7,842 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You need to find someone......call around to the larger cities and find a "climbing gym".

    Merc

    Not something you should learn from a website....and it isn't a one person sport.

    NO! You may not have my guns! Now go crawl back into your hole!

    ****************************************

    "Tolerating things you may not necessarily like is part of being free" - Larry Flynt
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The closest climbing gym is over an hours drive away. Like I said, its really flat round these here parts. Southeast Texas.

    If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.

    The sound of a 12 gauge pump clears a house fatser than Rosie O eats a Big Mac !
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  • snarlgardsnarlgard Member Posts: 1,310 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You might try talking to your local fire dept.
    most of them have to teach there people how to reppel(spelling?)
    i live in west texas and the local fire dept here has a rappelling tower/inclosed stairway for smoke training
    if you have your own gear they might let you tag along when they go to train....maybe even give you a lettle help...
    just a thought.....

    SMILE...MAKE EM WONDER WHAT YOUR UP TO
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thats actually a good idea, I might try that.

    If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.

    The sound of a 12 gauge pump clears a house fatser than Rosie O eats a Big Mac !
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  • bama55bama55 Member Posts: 6,389 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lee,

    Snarlgard is right, most FD's have to train in
    rappeling, and usually they have a tower. If they don't
    and your local PD or SO has a Tactical Team (SWAT) they should
    have a tower. Heck, the small town I am from has a volunteer
    FD and they have a tower.

    Don't send flowers when I die. Send money now, I can buy more ammo.
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  • 101AIRBORNE101AIRBORNE Member Posts: 1,252 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    lee,

    snarl has an excellent idea. Another suggestion, join the Army.
    Ofcourse I have no idea of your age or fittness-hey they nailed me at Benning. Shake and Bake. Sorta fun............101
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  • Matt45Matt45 Member Posts: 3,185
    edited November -1
    LBM-

    Once you do have an opportunity to learn some of the basics, buddy up with someone and go to Enchanted Boulder, (Enchanted rock, boulder, somthing like that, can't remember the exact name) it's Southwest of Austin, and is truly a great place to rappel- When I was there (circa 93'-95') The parks department even had permenant tie-off points installed.

    You might best be able to find it in a US Forestry directory, or on a Texas Parks and Recreation map.

    Matt

    Reserving my Right to Arm Bears!!!!
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  • varmit huntervarmit hunter Member Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lee since you are attending the Lamar police academy. Your class room is 150yrds from the six story rappelling building. You surly see them repelling every day..You might just ask one of those guys how it's done.If not I can come show you.Rappelled off that same building for 21 years in a row.

    The most important things, Are not things.
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  • GreenLanternGreenLantern Member Posts: 1,647 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    LBM - I have a really good book about rappelling at home. The only problem is that I'm in the process of moving so it might be packed up already and won't get unpacked until after the 24th of August. Though I will look when I get home and see if by chance it's laying around somewhere. I can also recommend a pretty good book on knot tying too. Of course it could be the same with that. Packed up!

    GL
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    He is another vote for don't learn it from a book and don't do it alone Lee. You need a spotter and, while learning, someone on the bottom of the rope. If you get in trouble a man on the bottom can break a fall by tension on the rope and get you down safely. Also, rapelling gets boring after you have done it ten times or so, so consider getting some climbing lessons and be resigned to travel to to it.

    A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:
    Lee since you are attending the Lamar police academy. Your class room is 150yrds from the six story rappelling building. You surly see them repelling every day..You might just ask one of those guys how it's done.If not I can come show you.Rappelled off that same building for 21 years in a row.

    The most important things, Are not things.


    I'm actually at the Jeff County sheriffs acadamy, its in the admin building of the County Prison off of 69. They have a rappelling tower back there, but they won't let anyone use it do to liabilities. And I haven't been around Lamar's campus that much, I didn't know they had anything out there. I will email you, I'm very interested in finding out more information.

    If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.

    The sound of a 12 gauge pump clears a house fatser than Rosie O eats a Big Mac !
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  • Warpig883Warpig883 Member Posts: 6,459
    edited November -1
    I have done it all over the place when I was in the Army. Highest one was 400 ft off cliffs at Cheju-Do ROK. An island of the coast of South Korea where the Army has a mountaineering school. That one was an Australian Style rappel (face first) where you literally run as fast as you can down the face of the cliff. At least you run when you are not airborne. What a rush! Much faster than the conventional style of slowly going butt first and burning the hell out of your hand to stop.

    moc.murofsmraerifeht.www

    mirror this
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  • varmit huntervarmit hunter Member Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lee, e-mail me at rrobison@gt.rr.com.I think you might find Lamar a little more user frendly. Do you know any swat team members?. They rappel face first with MP-5s.Most of my contacts are old like me and retired, But I may know some names that can help you.

    The most important things, Are not things.
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  • 223believer223believer Member Posts: 128 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No offense, Lee, but you bought $800 of rappelling gear
    before you looked around outside and realized there
    are no moutains or cliffs anywhere around? What's next?
    Move to Oklahoma and buy a surfboard?
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