The South African Abseil or South African Double Roped Classical Abseil is a modern variation of the non-mechanical classical abseil method used by mountaineers and rock climbers to quickly descend steep terrain by sliding down a rope wrapped around their body to create controlled friction.
Method of wrapping the rope for the South African Abseil
This method of classical (non-mechanical) abseiling was developed by South African mountaineering instructor/guide, Andrew Friedemann in 2000 whilst facilitating a Mountain Leader course in Mooi River - South Africa. The classical abseil taught on the course was deemed to be too onerous and an alternate was investigated with a group of students which would remove the issues of rope burn, lack of sufficient control and toppling over backwards which is a common problem with the standard classical abseil. Later on that same year, the method was demonstrated to the UIAA International Training Standards Working group seminar in Chamonix - France, and was dubbed the South African Abseil by those representatives present as none of the countries taking part had seen the method before.
Method of wrapping the rope for the Classical Abseil
Application
All forms of classical abseiling are generally for emergency use only. Modern abseil equipment and techniques have largely made the classical abseil obsolete, however where the right mechanical equipment is not available and a descent of steep terrain by rope is necessary, such as in an emergency situation, the classical methods are still used with caution. Walking parties are generally now the most common users of classical abseils when negotiating steep terrain, as they do not normally carry mechanical devices but often do carry rope.
Classical abseils work by wrapping a rope around the body to create friction allowing the abseiler to descend in a controlled manner. Once the abseiler reaches the ground, the doubled rope is retrieved by pulling down on one side allowing the rope to slip around the anchor.
Advantages of the South Africa Abseil
Friction is generated over a larger surface area so it is less painful and has more control.
The ropes run around and cross over the back just below the armpits so supporting the abseiler upright and there is less tendency to topple over backwards.
One hand can be left completely free unlike the classical abseil where both hands must be used to prevent toppling backwards.
References
The Mountain Skills Training Handbook Pete Hill & Stuart Johnston - Pg 25. Published by: David & Charles. ISBN0715310917
Hillwalking Steve Long - Pg 154–155. Published by: Mountain Leader Training UK. ISBN0954151100
The International Handbook of Technical Mountaineering Pete Hill - Pg 27. Published by: David & Charles. ISBN0715321668
south, african, abseil, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, march, 2012, learn, . This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations March 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message The South African Abseil or South African Double Roped Classical Abseil is a modern variation of the non mechanical classical abseil method used by mountaineers and rock climbers to quickly descend steep terrain by sliding down a rope wrapped around their body to create controlled friction Method of wrapping the rope for the South African Abseil Contents 1 History 2 Application 2 1 Advantages of the South Africa Abseil 3 ReferencesHistory EditThis method of classical non mechanical abseiling was developed by South African mountaineering instructor guide Andrew Friedemann in 2000 whilst facilitating a Mountain Leader course in Mooi River South Africa The classical abseil taught on the course was deemed to be too onerous and an alternate was investigated with a group of students which would remove the issues of rope burn lack of sufficient control and toppling over backwards which is a common problem with the standard classical abseil Later on that same year the method was demonstrated to the UIAA International Training Standards Working group seminar in Chamonix France and was dubbed the South African Abseil by those representatives present as none of the countries taking part had seen the method before Method of wrapping the rope for the Classical AbseilApplication EditAll forms of classical abseiling are generally for emergency use only Modern abseil equipment and techniques have largely made the classical abseil obsolete however where the right mechanical equipment is not available and a descent of steep terrain by rope is necessary such as in an emergency situation the classical methods are still used with caution Walking parties are generally now the most common users of classical abseils when negotiating steep terrain as they do not normally carry mechanical devices but often do carry rope Classical abseils work by wrapping a rope around the body to create friction allowing the abseiler to descend in a controlled manner Once the abseiler reaches the ground the doubled rope is retrieved by pulling down on one side allowing the rope to slip around the anchor Advantages of the South Africa Abseil Edit Friction is generated over a larger surface area so it is less painful and has more control The ropes run around and cross over the back just below the armpits so supporting the abseiler upright and there is less tendency to topple over backwards One hand can be left completely free unlike the classical abseil where both hands must be used to prevent toppling backwards References EditThe Mountain Skills Training Handbook Pete Hill amp Stuart Johnston Pg 25 Published by David amp Charles ISBN 0715310917 Hillwalking Steve Long Pg 154 155 Published by Mountain Leader Training UK ISBN 0954151100 The International Handbook of Technical Mountaineering Pete Hill Pg 27 Published by David amp Charles ISBN 0715321668 Mountaineering Methodology Part 3 Belaying and Rappelling MMPublishing 2013 http www mountaineeringmethodology com emergency rappelling ISBN 978 80 87715 09 3 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title South African Abseil amp oldid 1061333373, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
