Rappelling as a sport ... ???

I had an idea of linking my 6, 70 M ropes, and doing a single strand rappel from the top of Cannon (NH) to check out Moby Grape and then started to wonder …. are there people who only like to rappel down  routes ??? ….is there a "sport" of rappelling down existing known climbing routes ???

An older coworker of mine told me stories of he and his buddies rappelling routes in the 70’s.  Said he never would think of actually climbing them, too scary. Probably an outdated activity/sport but there may be a few out there. 

Yes, there are people who rappel recreationally. There are also commercial outfits that take clients out rappelling down cliffs and waterfalls.

Canyoneering. 

Ian Dibbs wrote: I had an idea of linking my 6, 70 M ropes, and doing a single strand rappel from the top of Cannon (NH) to check out Moby Grape and....

I do hope the above was either a joke or you've long-since figured out it isn't a good idea.

Ian Dibbs wrote: I had an idea of linking my 6, 70 M ropes, and doing a single strand rappel from the top of Cannon (NH) to check out Moby Grape and then started to wonder …. are there people who only like to rappel down  routes ??? ….is there a "sport" of rappelling down existing known climbing routes ???

Ah, but if Cannon was only dead vertical/overhanging it would be so much easier.

H Lue wrote: Canyoneering.  I do know of canyoning, I think they do long descents ….. I wondered more about rappelling existing known climbing routes.

Robert Hall wrote:

I do hope the above was either a joke or you've long-since figured out it isn't a good idea......

   I have done some long "exploratory"  rappels using lengths up to 3 linked ropes long., I did the rappelling with 2 separate roped sections, each with an independent anchor for safety. My "technique" is to pre-set multiple belay devices into the ropes so the rope change-over point goes easily, and depending on the cliff sometimes I wrap the joining point of the ropes so they don't get stuck when pulling the rope down (or back up) when finished.... I agree a single rope rappel over Cannon is not a good idea … 

Learn how to pass a knot on rappel - it's not that hard, and is also applicable to short rappels.

Also, consider not using an ATC - they're a PITA to deal with on long rappels, and changeovers are hard.  Read up on rebelays and redirects.

anyone remember that supertopo thread where those guys rapped el cap?

Yes it is a sport sort of ,,I was part of a team that rappelled Mount Thor in Baffin Island on a single piece of static rope that was a mile long,,we also climbed the rope back to the top,also did many rappelles of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison,and climbed the rope back to the top as well as El Cap many times too,it is alot of work and expensive to purchase the 4000 feet of rope and once you have the rope purchased you can do it many years if you take care of the rope

'You know who's really cool? ... The guys who get the rope up there ... ' (me, going from rappelling to climbing 40 years ago)

When i was climbing in the verdon gorge last summer, a party of over ten people with a few experienced people but also multiple beginners rappelled the entire gorge. They had multiple ropes about 6 ropes between them. They said they were not interested in climbing, just wanted to hike back from the bottom... So apparently it is a sport for some people. Unfortunately they rappelled down the route we were doing and blocked us from making progress for over half an hour.

Finally they agreed to let me climb (i was leading) the last 15 meters to the end of the pitch, during which the route crossed the line they were rappelling... Only for the next guy to start rappelling anyways after i had crossed the "intersection". He then got tangled in my rope, almost let go of his break hand (no third hanned) and almost pulled me off the wall before breaking free.

I have a buddy who has zero interest in climbing with me, but it's very excited to go rappelling. I have done some hike up rappels in the past too, and rather enjoy it. I picked up a static rope and a Petzl Piranha in part so I can lure him to the crag with me. 

Why specifically rapping routes?

Kevin Mokracek wrote: Why specifically rapping routes?

Cause they go all the way to the bottom! 

I have been asked if I was a "rappeler" on a trail, when walking around with a rope on my back. My father in law also used to rappel stuff, I'm told, and he has never climbed.

I get it, I usually find rappelling pretty fun, assuming I'm not bailing or escaping or otherwise under duress. 

Kevin Mokracek wrote: Why specifically rapping routes?  

 ……... There are some well known climbing routes I'd love to climb, but I'll never have the strength and ability to do so … rapping the routes would be my way of "checking them off my list" and could provide a close look of what I was missing. You can even stop while rapping and "fool around climbing a bit" with the right set-up.  I wondered if there are other climbers, perhaps aging like myself, or maybe injured, who now rap routes they had previously dreamed of climbing, but realistically probably never will climb .