Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:46 pm Post subject: RAPPEL
Friends, anyone want to rappel on Sunday, Feb 21, 2010? i suggest around 1pm onwards so it isn't too hot.
I have 3-5 office mates who are interested. Who else wants to join? Sir Rex, could you orient us again (especially those without rappel experience) and could we borrow your gear? Also, what would be a good venue for us to rappel from?
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:31 pm Post subject: Re: RAPPEL
Good thing you brought it up. I was meaning to.. but just couldn't quite frame or compose the message.
Anyway.. we could make use of either the UP Vanguard or Quezon Memorial Circle rappel towers. The UP tower is more private but is the only thing there is there - we have to bring everything else. The Quezon Memorial tower is commercially operated, is wider so it can accommodate more jumpers at the same time.. we can also expect availability of spare harnesses, carabiners and 8-rings if we need any.. PLUS, because its located in a park, there are nearby food establishments. To use either tower, we have to coordinate with the same operator.
As things go, I have made informal arrangement for special rate with the tower operator to allow us liberal use of the tower half/whole day use, under the assumption we'd have a class of approx. 10 pax minimum. Ordinarily, they would charge P100-120 for 1 hour per person.
So.. if you guys would be committed the rappel refresher on the 21st (or whatever other date).. please give me a sign-up list of participants.. so I can make appropriate preps, equipment and venue wise.
Last edited by Almighty on Tue Feb 16, 2010 4:27 am; edited 2 times in total
Joined: May 18, 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:22 am Post subject: Re: RAPPEL
Advice me here, I know there are no hard rules to equipments but under normal circumstances, how many should I buy regarding oval/D-ring carabiners, also locking Ds, do I need two of each super-8s and rescue-8s...? What's the 2nd best brand you would recommend? Do they also have acenders and decenders too? What about pulleys, what brand should I go for? Finally, what brand harnesses come in plain colors?
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 4:20 am Post subject: Re: RAPPEL
How many oval or D carabiners you carry will depend on whether you're going for authentic loadout/uniform or practical efficiency. Non-locking carabiners are conveniently fast to hook up, but if you want to be sure in using them, it would take two non-locking to equal the security of a single locking carabiner against accidental opening. So I guess that puts minimum required at 1 locking carabiner or 2 non-locking. Any brand carabiner rated for climbing use will suffice. If would ease your mind better, then feel free to buy Petzl, Omega, Bluewater, Blackhawk, or other known brand hardware.
Of course, you're expected to have at least 1 figure-8 descender. Again, the choice to carry a simple plain 8-ring or a descender with "ears" will also depend on whether you're going for authentic looks and/or performance. Basically, the two designs work exactly the same in braking.. it's just that a descender with ears help prevent accidentally having the rope cinch into a double hitch (effectively locking the rope onto the descender). To say the least, its reassuring to know the descender won't lock up when doing Australian rappel where the rope and descender are attached behind where the jumper cannot reach to unjam or disengage. Rescue-8s are particularly oversized so they easily accommodate use of double rope for sliding down with very heavy loads (as in having to support two people, or a rescuer and a stretcher). I'm not particular about brands of figure-8 descenders.. except maybe for rescue-8s where I prefer CMI or Bluewater.
Climbing hardware may come in natural metal finish, anodized black or gray for tactical use, or in variety of bright colors for recreational sport. Your choice which one to get.
There are a lot of rappel harnesses available, and they all live up to the technical specification they were designed for. Just bear in mind that there's more than a subtle difference between a sport climbing harness and a tactical harness. Rescue/tactical harnesses may be used for sport climbing, but most sport harnesses are hardly suitable for tactical use. There's also a lot of tactical harnesses around.. and the choice may depend on (again) whether the user is considering authentic look or practical use. After having reviewed and considered the brands and models available, I have settled on the YATES line of harnesses for all-around use for novice to experienced jumpers. The two no-frills models below are what Lily and I currently have for our use.
YATES Rescue Rappeling Harness Well suited for rescue, military, SWAT and tactical rappel applications where
a metal attachment point is not necessary. Originally designed for the US Navy SEALs
tactical teams, the anatomical configuration of the harness has made it the choice
for many tactical teams who need a non-restrictive harness system.
YATES Lightweight Assault Harness Well suited for rescue, military applications where a Class II harness is utilized.
There are slightly pricier models which incorporate additional attachment points, metal rings, padded belt and loops, gear rack/sling. Again.. it's the user's choice.
.
Last edited by Almighty on Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:10 am; edited 1 time in total
Joined: May 13, 2009 Posts: 382 Location: Southen California DFAC
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 7:18 am Post subject: Re: RAPPEL
This is cool! I remember when Rex taught me how to descend back in when we were playing in that wood kiln warehouse in Bulacan. I still tell that story up to this day...
The only rappel/climbing gear I have are my 4 'Nam era/post 'Nam era Wyott carabiners (2 dated 72 and 2 dated 74) and a Black Diamond carabiner I bought at REI and currently use as to keep my keys with:
When a certain former member was coming over here to California one of the 'bilin' of Rex was to look for a harness. REI would have been that place where we would have went.
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 10:28 am Post subject: Re: RAPPEL
Good to know you guys are starting to consider alternate activities. I'd like to be able to jump again soon! At the moment, I don't have internet connection so I can't be online at my leisure. Do update me via SMS if you guys are pushing thru on the 21st. I'd love to get some "air-time" again and I'm willing to assist newbies.
When a certain former member was coming over here to California one of the 'bilin' of Rex was to look for a harness. REI would have been that place where we would have went.
That would be Lance. In the end, he wound up ordering online from uscav.com. He got the black rescue harness (same as Lily's) and he brought back a foliage green lightweight assault harness for me.
Let's do this again. (I really wanna master the Australian rappel.)
All it takes is practice, practice, practice...
What we did yesterday was mainly recreational. There was a lot not taken up with the first-time jumpers, and even a whole lot more to cover for those of you who need technical and practical proficiency.
As per conversation with the operator, the QMC tower is supposedly "closed to public" this coming Sunday. That could possibly be another opportunity to have the facility to ourselves for the day. If you guys want to go for it.. just get yourselves organized so we can ask for permission.
Carlo.. can we have a look at the pictures Allaine and the others took? We might be able to use them to promote the activity in other forums...
This is the rappel tower at Quezon Memorial Circle. It's not particularly high - the platform
is probably only between 20-25 feet up. The tower in UP is constructed similarly, but only
1/3 as wide.
When texting fails.. CALL! Both Rey and Carlo texted me Sunday for confirmation.. but I did not have cellphone load to reply. In the end, Carlo called and we simple arranged to meet at the tower facility in the afternoon.
Last edited by Almighty on Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:35 pm; edited 1 time in total
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