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One Stick Climbing: To Rappel or not Rappel

Do you Rappel after one stick climbing to make your descent?

  • I use a different climbing method

  • I one stick climb but have never tried rappelling

  • I one stick climb and have tried rappelling but don't care for it

  • I one stick climb but only rappel under certain conditions

  • If I one stick climb I'm rappelling down

Results are only viewable after voting.
hauscaliber

hauscaliber

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2018
Messages
300
I'm thinking about trying to rappel down after one stick climbing. Question for the one stickers out there:
 
If I didn't rappel down I wouldn't be one sticking up. I've never even attempted to one stick down. I should do it a few times just to get comfortable in case I have to in an emergency or forget/lose a piece of my rappel setup.
 
I had to one stick down the tree at the beginning of the season...in the dark...and very frustrated as I had to climb up the tree an additional 10 feet to get my rappel rope out of the wedge of the tree. It was a very narrow wedge and would NOT come out...in the dark it sucked. I had to do the one stick method as when I got the rope out I inadvertently dropped it 32' to the ground. I was pissed and the climb down took longer than the climb up. I will only rappel down the tree...no matter the method of getting up the tree. At the beginning of the season I decided to try again four sticks with a moveable aider. It was a little easier than one sticking up the tree, but again...I rappelled down and grabbed each stick on the way down.
 
To me rappelling is the easiest part of it. The only problem is you have to have more rope but still find it a non issue with one stick. I'll add the this is my first year in a saddle or with stick(s) but find the rappelling a no brainer. And, I'm an old dude,yesterday was my last birthday that starts with a 5! :cry:
 
GiGisDaddy said:
To me rappelling is the easiest part of it. The only problem is you have to have more rope but still find it a non issue with one stick. I'll add the this is my first year in a saddle or with stick(s) but find the rappelling a no brainer. And, I'm an old dude,yesterday was my last birthday that starts with a 5! :cry:
Click to expand...
Happy Birthday!!
 
Bwhana said:
Coming down in the dark is the huge bonus for rappelling. Much simpler than other methods on the way down.
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You nailed it! This is the primary reasons I am getting into rappelling and one stick method. This year I used knaider and swaider with 4 sticks. I did not mind going up in the dark, but coming down not so much. Looking into a two step aider to add to my one stick. There is not good information what works best. There are many different variations.
 
Cbigbear said:
Going against the grain here - not to rappel. For me it’s extra gear (cost, maintenance, management ie packing) for minimal gain. I can stick down faster than up.
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You have one sticked longer than anyone I know. A pioneer. More of us should consider practicing going down
I expect if you were a newbie you would disagree with yourself. It is faster and easier
Keep one sticking down if it works for you. The extra gear is true. And if all of us had one sticked as long as you we might leave the rappel gear at home too.
One advantage of rappelling is the fun factor. It is also safer when done correctly.


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Ontariofarmer said:
You have one sticked longer than anyone I know. A pioneer. More of us should consider practicing going down
I expect if you were a newbie you would disagree with yourself. It is faster and easier
Keep one sticking down if it works for you. The extra gear is true. And if all of us had one sticked as long as you we might leave the rappel gear at home too.
One advantage of rappelling is the fun factor. It is also safer when done correctly.


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Click to expand...

I climbed exclusively with one stick for about 3 yrs, but different hunting locations have me using it more sparingly these days. I’m still old school & using a rch (paired with a fleece saddle) which I find the belay loop attachment point yields itself to one sticking better than a bridge. So I would agree experience & setup weight heavily on my none rappelling opinion.

I’ll give it to you it is fun!!!
 
After having my one stick kick out at the top while hanging in my saddle, (and having to self rescue with my regular tether and a single screw in step), I started climbing with a 30’ tether.

Since then I’ve tried several different climbing methods including using the base of my self climber.

Under all circumstances I feel rappelling down is the safest and easiest option. As for extra gear, the bare minimum is a long enough rope and everything else you probably already have: 2 caribiners, 1 to rappel on and the other to attach an autoblock/friction hitch as a 3rd hand/backup. A friction hitch which you probably already have on your tether for your saddle.


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Is there a way to truly rappel, Solo, one rope, that any climb instructor would say is safe? Im looking at it as a " last resort self rescue" option though.
 
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