Vid: How to do a Guided Rappel in Imlay

[jman]

Just like the other vid: How to hook out of a pothole, this was video captured during our same trip through Imlay.

Jeff wished the footage was a tad better, and a bit longer - but he plans on re-doing it.

Any feedback, besides for the ones listed above, would be appreciative!

Thanks guys!

Otherwise - enjoy!



The text from Jeff's Youtube vid:

"WARNING! Do not let this video trump your common sense and good judgement. You will only use this technique in technical/dangerous canyons or conditions (or in rescue situations). This video is to help you VISUALIZE what to do. Please take a guide who has successfully done the canyon before and knows how to successfully defeat any obstacle that you may encounter (including setting up the guided rap). And be prepared to stay in the canyon overnight if things don't work out right! Be safe and happy canyoneering! :)

I haven't seen any video's on how to do a "guided rappel" so I thought I'd make one. This technique will save you and your crew a lot of time so you don't have to throw a potshot, rappel, and escape the pothole on the other side. This way you can throw the potshot, tie it off, rappel/zipline to the otherside of the pothole and take it down when you are done!

Step 1:
Throw the potshot over an object that it can get wedged in, such as log or crack on a rock.

Step 2: Pull the rope as tight as you can. Use a friend to help pull it tight and tie it off on your side with a clove hitch/biner block. Remember to get it tight because it will need to support your weight to get to the other side. The biner block will be on the side you are rappelling on! *This will be the opposite of what you are used to, but it is there to hold the guide line tight - and not to hold your weight when rappelling like it usually does.

Step 3:
Back up the rope with with a figure 8 on a bight attached to a biner (and bolt/anchor) just in case the potshot comes loose and pulls out. That way you won't fall to the bottom of the pothole and get seriously hurt, or drown. IF the potshot pulls out then you will be stopped by the figure 8 knot attached to the bolt/anchor.

Step 4:
Hook yourself up like you are going to rappel on the loose end, and attach yourself with a sling or Personal Anchor System (we prefer the Chain reactor) to the tight line so you can be "guided" to the other side. Rappel like normal and the Guide Line will hold your weight and bring you to the other side.

Step 5:
To take down the "guided rappel" - the last person unties the backed up anchor point (figure 8 knot). *You shouldn't be worried at this point because if the potshot hasn't pulled out by now, then it's safe to assume it won't pull out for the last person.* The last person then zips down the rope like everyone else did; pulls on the potshot from the other end to free it from the wedge point (log, in our case), unties the rope from the potshot, and pulls the rope just like you would if you had a pull cord so that the end of the rope that was tied to the Potshot goes through the chains and is the last thing to come back to you!"

The end!

[Iceaxe]

I'm enjoying the "How To" video's. I think they are great for helping folks who have never experienced these situations understand. Keep up the good work.



My only comment with this video is you seldom find such an ideal setup for a guided rappel as the one depicted in the video. It is rare that you can reliably stick a potshot for your downstream anchor. I'd wager that the majority of the time a human has to lead the section and then provide a meat anchor or tie off the sharp end of the rope to create the downstream anchor.

If you re-shoot the escape video I'd suggest a human leading the section and providing an anchor be presented as the standard method, and sticking a potshot perhaps be presented as an alternative method if circumstances allow for it.

[Iceaxe]

FWIW: At the guided rappel depicted in the video we usually lasso the log on the far side of the pothole "cowboy style". It's usually not to hard to lasso and you will snag it after a couple of attempts. The one benefit of that method is you don't have to worry about your anchor popping out halfway down the guided rappel.

Put this down as just anther method of skinning the same ol' cat....

[ratagonia]

Good vid, thanks Jman. Thanks for putting these together.

Couple of minor points:

1. When doing a "Throw to a guided rappel", once you do the throw, you should test the anchor by pulling on it as hard as possible. Perhaps this point should be emphasized more. Then, the guide line should be tightened ONLY tight enough to get the job done, not 'as tight as possible', for the first person down.

It used to be on this stump, the potshot would stick and jam on one side of the stump really well, and on the other side not quite so well, but well enough that when you tugged on it firmly it would stick (but when you pulled on it really hard it would fail). Looks like it has gotten to the point of being solid on both sides.

2. After the first person goes across, they may want to re-anchor the guideline, or maybe just back it up with their weight.

Looks like the bag was in there super-solid on this particular rap, but it would be a point to make, in general.

3. After the first person goes across, the guideline can be tightened. Can be because: A. to take the stretch from the first person crossing out of the system and B. with the bottom anchor secured 100%, you are no longer so worried about creating large forces.

4. Even a smaller point: it can be a good idea to select the lightest person to go across first, thus generating the smallest forces.

And from a vid production point of view: it might be good to work in a static shot of the anchor rigging and label the parts. There are some glances at the anchor, but not long enough dwell to see how it all is rigged.

----

There used to be another throw-to-guided rappel in there, just before the second-to-last rappel, but with the logs all moved around, I'm not sure there is at the present time a place to throw to that will give a solid bottom anchor.

And...

gotta say, this other vid is also WAY AWESOME:



Tom

[jman]

Thanks Tom and Shane for the positive criticism.

The conditions of the video weren't ideal - we were cold and shivering and not to anxious to do a vid.

We do want to re-do the video, as well as add your additional thoughts to it (alternate setups).

We have plenty of other how-to videos in the making.

They are intended to help people visualize what people are taking about and can be used as a reference point for the community and the growing sport. Nothing too professional here....yet.