Continuing our dissection of ski mountaineering rappel systems, we are explore various options for rappel extensions/tethers and third hands. There is significant overlap here with standard rock climbing gear and techniques, but our needs as skiers, especially skiers with skinny ropes, are a bit different.
Read More
With the confidence of a priest proclaiming the word of god, a prominent member of the AMGA once told me that ski mountaineering starts when you have to use a rope. I’d argue that using the rope to descend seriously detracts from any ski descent, mountaineering or not. Still, there’s no denying that being handy with the cord can be a pretty useful skill in the mountains: It can get you out of a jam and open up options for lines that simply won’t go without it. Rather than being some hallmark of a “mountaineer,” I’d argue that being a competent rope rider is another skill to learn—a tool you’d rather not use but are sure glad to have when you need it. As skiers specifically, some different considerations regarding rappelling are worth discussing.
Read More
We received a comment on Rappelling on Skinny Ropes—Part 1: Devices from a reader asking about using a Super Münter hitch to rappel on a skinny rope. (Thank you, Jonathan, for asking the question.) Let’s break down some basics, and then get into a text thread between Billy Haas, Adam Fabrikant, and Gavin Hess.
Read More