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Rappelling

Apex7

Apex7

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
3,744
Location
Pittsburgh Pa
I watched a friend of mine rappel the other day. I'll be 63 in a day and was wondering how many guys over 60 rappel? It was neat the way it worked and now I'm very interested. I would still use sticks to climb but at the end of the hunt it would be nice to rappel down. It would be safer than trying to put my foot in my aiders when it's dark and I'm tired and stiff. It's also nice I have someone to teach me the right way to rappel.
 
almost everyone that one sticks or rope climbs (SRT,DRT, etc) rappels, and i know there's quite a few guys in your age range that do. i'm in my late 30s, but rappelling is physically easier than climbing down sticks and aiders pretty much 99.9% of the time i'd say. (i've been multi stick climbing and rappelling last season, working on one sticking next season)
 
I’m not 60 yet but I’ve known plenty of guys that rappel into their 60s and even 70s. When I was on active I served lots of time in and around Asia and some of the guys we trained with were seasoned pros and they were like ninjas. You’ll be fine. Just remember smooth is fast.
And yes you’re correct at least in my opinion, rappelling is FAR easier than fiddling around with an aider.
 
Rappelling is way easier than climbing down with aiders. So the climbing up would be the only challenge…but as you said, you’re already doing that. So, as far as I can see the age question becomes moot since you are only making things safer and easier. At least in my opinion.
 
74 in September been rappelling since 1982. I feel it is the safest way for me to go down. Just take your time and double check every connection before you commit. Do it from 3 feet a lot then go to 5 feet. You need to get comfortable and establish your checklists before attempting climbing height descents.
 
Still Kicking said:
74 in September been rappelling since 1982. I feel it is the safest way for me to go down. Just take your time and double check every connection before you commit. Do it from 3 feet a lot then go to 5 feet. You need to get comfortable and establish your checklists before attempting climbing height descents.
Click to expand...
And don’t forget the pull down line. I go up with everything on my back, but always lower my bow before rappelling so I don’t forget it…..plus it’s easier to put my bow back on my pack while on the ground.
I use an ATC with a prussik brake below it, to rappel. Ez peasy, but want to learn the munter and put the JRB in play….so many ways.
I also agree rappelling is not only much easier, but it’s much safer than trying to come down steps, aiders and lowering a tether or using a lineman’s belt. I started practicing by backing down a set of basement steps, then from atop a single stick, Then I couldn’t get up the tree fast enough to do it again!
 
HAPPY B-DAY!!

Age is irrelevant in regards to rappelling. There's no physical effort required to do it and once you master the technique you're golden.
The hard part of rappelling is getting up the tree.
Good luck and enjoy your B-Day!
 
slonstdy said:
HAPPY B-DAY!!

Age is irrelevant in regards to rappelling. There's no physical effort required to do it and once you master the technique you're golden.
The hard part of rappelling is getting up the tree.
Good luck and enjoy your B-Day!
Click to expand...
Thank you
 
Apex7 said:
I watched a friend of mine rappel the other day. I'll be 63 in a day and was wondering how many guys over 60 rappel? It was neat the way it worked and now I'm very interested. I would still use sticks to climb but at the end of the hunt it would be nice to rappel down. It would be safer than trying to put my foot in my aiders when it's dark and I'm tired and stiff. It's also nice I have someone to teach me the right way to rappel.
Click to expand...
There's no relationship whatsoever between age and ability to rappel. After all, gravity does all the work on a rappel. We simply control it.

There is a relationship between the experience, intelligence and safety profile of the individual though.

Rappel is a great first step towards a safer hunt for anyone. Also a good introduction to ropes and a step towards addressing our #1 safety problem: Being properly tied in the REST of the time. I regularly remind people that a lineman's belt is not a tie in. In fact, i have no use for one personally unless i am pruning trees or setting cameras in the canopy. But it seems like the majority of climbers are not tied in the whole time and I am doing my part to raise awareness.

My rappel video:

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
65 and climb several times a week srt ropewalking. Age is just a number- I can still tire out my grandkids (12 &9 yr old)! I may not be as good as I once was but I am as good as I ever going to be until I get to Heaven! LOL!
 
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