Abseiling: Abseiling for beginners.

Last Abseil: 18th-19th October 2014.

Hi all,

This blog is mainly for BBW beginner abseilers. I'll post basic information here before you come and do the real thing at Kangaroo Point. I have had many requests to provide information prior to the event. When I hand out CD's containing the BBW abseil handbook, links, pictures, video and other info on the Saturday, is a tad late for some. So I want to try to prepare beginners with this preview of what to expect.

NEWS FLASH!! On the 23rd of August we will be conducting an " Abseil Experience Day"
On the Saturday we will be holding a short abseil experience activity. Try before you buy, test before you invest. It will be a scaled down event. It is aimed at people just wanting the abseil thrill without the usual intensive instruction. If you want to try living on the edge, this is for you. Will not count as prior knowledge. Cost is $10.00.
JG. BBW abseil coordinator.

The cost of the beginners weekend abseil training is $25 per person, per day. (TOTAL $50)

Links.....

This is where we meet, at the top of the nursery cliffs, not the bottom. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=211081718566449104568.0004827f1b8998177d9dd&ll=-27.481596,153.033333&spn=0.001161,0.002642&t=f&z=19&ecpose=-27.48218502,153.03327721,187.5,6.37,22.949,0

Animated Knots by Grog. http://www.animatedknots.com/

What To Expect.....

Before you get to abseil we give you a lot of instruction and hands on time to get used to the fact you will be walking off a cliff face, backwards. The training is over two consecutive mornings. We start around 7.30am and usually finish by 12.30pm. The first morning covers the introduction to all the hardware......ropes, harness, helmets, knots and carabiners etc.

We practice everything before you abseil.

We show you how to hook up using the "no drop method". We show you how to prusik up the rope. This is usually achieved by 10.00am, morning tea, followed by abseils for the remainder of the morning. You will abseil using a fig-8 and a munter hitch. You will use a prusik loop as backup and if time allows you will be able to abseil using an "auto-block". Plus a score of other useful stuff.

The second morning has you revising the previous day and putting it all together to abseil over a knot in the rope. This takes most of the morning, particularly with 8 participants. Any spare time is given to free abseils. Finish by 12.30pm and leave full of personal achievement and fears allayed.

If it's pouring down......

If it is raining lightly and not cyclonic we can meet under the cover of the nearby rotunda. Much of the instruction can be done here, particularly for the first day of training. We can elect to go ahead and risk sharing the space with boot camp people, or cancel if the weather is really bad. We do need a mostly fine day for day two. It can be a little exposed to rain and wind but at least we have a roof overhead. Hopefully the day will clear and we can do some abseils.

If you want to cancel just text me. I'll try to make a space available for you at a future date. The cost is $25 per person, per day. (Total $50)

Typical top belay set up. You won't have the top belay around your chest, but attached to your harness.

You will see things like this........


Fig 8 descender


Helmet


Sit harness

We will fit you up with all the hardware and make sure you are comfortable with its functions.
Screw gate locking carabiner

Day one covers all the basics. We show you a host of useful knots and hitches. We explain the various devices used for descending on a single 11mm diameter static abseil rope.
Once we spend some time explaining what all this stuff does and get you confident that it will hold you securely, we then tip you over the EDGE. But before we do this from the top cliff edge we will practice small 1 metre abseils from the bottom to get you used to the harness and to do some Prusiking.

Other topics we cover are rope handling, useful knots, self rescue techniques and all round fun.

Tape or Water Knot

The water knot is only used for flat tape. Typically 25mm.

Clove Hitch

Double Fishermans Knot

http://www.animatedknots.com/prusik/index.php?Categ=climbing&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

The double fisherman's knot is used to create a prusik loop. This knot provides a strong locking function, and when put under load it locks so securely it is almost impossible to undo.

Two such prusik loops can be used for self rescue.

We will show you how.