Rappelling El Capitan

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Googlymoogly

climber
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 24, 2012 - 09:25pm PT
I will be in Yosemite for a day or two in the next few weeks. The climbing partner I am going with isn't ready to attempt climbing The Nose but we have talked about rappelling down it (I have seen videos and heard of people doing it via the Nose descent anchors). I am not a stranger to multi pitch climbing or rappels but still want to see if anyone has more info or advice since it isn't a common endeavor. I have read the Tom Rohrer guide but it is geared to doing it when the descent route with bolted raps wasn't established yet. Any thoughts?
MisterE

Social climber
Jul 24, 2012 - 09:30pm PT
Sounds epic!

One thing is for sure




















wait for it


















































you know what is coming




































the best things take time















































and Locker spacing






























































YOU'RE GONNA DIE!
Mark Hudon

Trad climber
Hood River, OR
Jul 24, 2012 - 09:35pm PT
A day or two easily gives you enough time to go climb something, why not do that rather than rappel something?
Plaidman

Trad climber
South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA
Jul 24, 2012 - 09:38pm PT
I personally find rappelling Repellent!!!
Kalimon

Trad climber
Ridgway, CO
Jul 24, 2012 - 09:45pm PT
Bring some extra brake bars.
'Pass the Pitons' Pete

Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
Jul 24, 2012 - 10:17pm PT
MisterE - PERFECT. Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!!
GhoulweJ

Trad climber
El Dorado Hills, CA
Jul 24, 2012 - 10:18pm PT
If u wanna go "down" el cap
.... Bring a parachute....
Any other way is.. Ummm... It just isn't
WBraun

climber
Jul 24, 2012 - 10:21pm PT
Any competent well round climber can do it, rappel the Nose.

Piss easy.

Grossman used to do it for booty hunting.

Yer all wankers for trying to blow this guy off .....
Tony Bird

climber
Northridge, CA
Jul 24, 2012 - 10:22pm PT
check the books first--there may be a speed record for you to break. cosmic is right--long ropes will be the ticket. 3,200 feet is a bit much, but 500 would be reasonable, and possibly manageable. blue water, edelrid--all kinds of sponsorship possibilities. you'll encounter a party or two on the way up, possibly getting quite belligerent--be sure to arm yourselves; you can get plenty of advice about that on here.

el cap has had its share of BASE jumps, but i don't think it's had a ski descent yet. ekat?
Jingy

climber
Somewhere out there
Jul 24, 2012 - 10:25pm PT
MisterE - PERFECT. Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!!


 Total epic cliffhanger… Thanks Mister E!!!
Tony Bird

climber
Northridge, CA
Jul 24, 2012 - 10:27pm PT
randisi, a ski jump, especially one involving parachuting, is not a ski descent.
Tony Bird

climber
Northridge, CA
Jul 24, 2012 - 10:30pm PT
if death results, it wouldn't be considered a successful ski descent.
OR

Trad climber
Jul 24, 2012 - 10:36pm PT
Remember that awful rap accident in the late 80's. A caving club I think. They were rapping elcap and sombdy did not have enough brake bars in their set up. Werner would know.


Have fun if you do it though really. Its not my thing but it would be a cool way to see the capitan if you were not able to climb it.
apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Jul 24, 2012 - 10:45pm PT
Rap the Cap?

Great Googley-Moogley, Guglielmucci!
OR

Trad climber
Jul 24, 2012 - 10:50pm PT
I heard there was quite a few witnesses.. Wow, I was there 91-94 but I always thought it was b4 my time.
coloradohigh

Trad climber
rocky mountain trench
Jul 24, 2012 - 10:51pm PT
Why rap when you can hitch a ride on Honold mobile, it departs every two hours.
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
Jul 24, 2012 - 11:25pm PT
Even if you are experienced and skilled as a climber and at rappelling, you may not be ready for the 3,000+ feet of exposure. After hiking 8 miles to the top with all that gear, you look over the edge, and your mind can light up in a sort of fire fight.
Hummerchine

Trad climber
East Wenatchee, WA
Jul 24, 2012 - 11:40pm PT
Werner:

RIGHT ON!
Mr_T

Trad climber
Northern California
Jul 24, 2012 - 11:51pm PT
An alternative might be rapping from the Lost Arrow notch. Or better, partner up with a team and see if you can do a reverse Tyrolean traverse of the Arrow Spire and rap down from there.

Then link up with the Middle Earth descent. You could camp half way.
Dick Erb

climber
June Lake, CA
Jul 25, 2012 - 12:01am PT
I have rappelled the Nose, at least the top part down to the bottom of the great roof. Roper and I were setting up rigging for Glen Denny's El Cap movie. We were to be paid 30 dollars apiece per day (low budget 60's movie) so we thought it best to use two days and bivy at camp 6. Lowering the pig sure beats hauling.
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