Want to know how to retrieve your rope after rappelling? Getting down is only half the job. If you can’t get your rope back, you’re stuck at the bottom with a rope hanging out of reach, and that’s a bad spot to be in, especially on a canyoneering day when you’ve still got miles of hiking ahead. The good news is that retrieving your rope after rappelling comes down to how you rig the anchor, and once you understand that, the pull-down becomes simple.
Retrieving the rope after rappelling depends on the type of anchor you build. As long as the anchors are chains permanently bolted into the rock face, you can rig the rope to pull through the anchors and retrieve it just by pulling on one end. If the anchor is something like a tree, then the anchor needs to be rigged separately, otherwise you’ll get the rope back but the anchor stays behind.
To stay safe, it’s ideal to work with a professional instructor and learn the techniques and safety measures rappelling calls for. That said, there are a few things you can learn to point yourself in the right direction. For example, do you know how long your rope needs to be to make a safe rappel? If you’re still building the basics, our beginner’s guide to rappelling is a solid place to start before you worry about pull-downs.
How to Retrieve Your Rope After Rappelling on Chain Anchors
The type of anchor set-up you use depends on the length of your rope. For example, if the rope is double the length of the rappel and the anchor is two chains with the rope threaded through the bottom link, then retrieving the rope is as simple as pulling one strand through until the other end falls to the bottom of the rappel.
If your rope isn’t long enough for a double rappel but it’s still longer than the rappel, and therefore safe to use, then the anchor will usually need a carabiner blocking one end of the rope from running through the anchor points, with a paracord attached to the other end. After you finish a single-strand rappel, pull on the end of the paracord until the rope falls to the bottom. Your choice of hardware matters here too, so it’s worth reading up on the best rappelling device for canyoneering before you commit to a system.
► Step By Step for Creating Anchors for Canyoneering and Rappelling
Anchor Types on Natural Features (Trees and Rocks) for Easy Rope Retrieval
If you’re rigging your anchor around a tree or a rock, you may want to build a 2-Ring Retrievable anchor that lets you get both the anchor and the rope back once you reach the bottom of the rappel. To rig this type of anchor, you’ll need a sling, carabiners, and a retrieval cord.
When you wrap the sling around the tree, make sure the retrieval cord is attached to one end of the sling so you can pull it down after your descent. Slings and cord live and die by the rope they’re paired with, so it pays to know the best rope for rappelling before you head out.
Rope Length for Safe Rappelling
At a minimum, your rope should be a few feet longer than the length of the rappel. Ideally, your rope is double the length of the rappel. That way you can run a more controlled descent on double strands compared to single-strand rappelling.
A rope that’s significantly more than double the distance of the rappel is safe as long as you’re landing on dry land. If the excess rope goes into a river or any mass of water, it’s possible to get wrapped in the extra rope when you reach the bottom, and that can lead to drowning. So match your rope length to the terrain, not just the wall.
Typically, canyoneers bring a “short rope” and a “long rope” to cover different rappel lengths. They may also bring one large rope to support the rappel along with a thinner rope, such as paracord, used to help rig the anchor and ropes for retrieval when the rappel is too long for a double-strand rappel.
Other Rappelling Safety Tips
Don’t rappel more than 100 feet (30 meters) off the ground without a professional guide. It’s harder to retrieve your rope over that distance, and you can hurt yourself or worse if something unexpected happens. If safety is your main concern, take a few minutes to read up on what the safest way to rappel actually is.
If you’re rappelling with a group, make sure everyone’s on the same page about retrieving their ropes after they reach the bottom. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget what comes next.
Rappelling is exciting and a great way for adventurers and explorers alike to chase a little adrenaline. Follow these tips on how to retrieve your rope after rappelling so you have an easy time getting moving again once you reach the bottom of your descent.
If you want to keep sharpening the skills that make days like this go smoothly, the free Send Edition newsletter drops one climbing drill in your inbox every week, about 15 minutes each. It’s a simple way to build the habits that pay off when you’re at a real anchor.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which end of the rope to pull?
On a chain anchor with the rope threaded through the bottom link, pull the strand that isn’t blocked so the free end runs up through the anchor and drops to the bottom. If you rigged a carabiner block with a paracord on a single-strand rappel, pull the paracord. Before you commit, give a test tug from the ground to confirm the rope actually moves through the anchor.
Can I retrieve both the rope and the anchor off a tree?
Yes, if you build a 2-Ring Retrievable anchor. Wrap a sling around the tree with a retrieval cord attached to one end, and once you’re down you can pull the cord to bring the sling and rope back. A plain sling left around a tree is not retrievable, so you’d lose the anchor gear.
How long does my rope need to be to retrieve it?
At a minimum it should be a few feet longer than the rappel. Double the length of the rappel is ideal, since that lets you rappel on two strands and pull one side down cleanly. If the rope is only a bit longer than the rappel, you’ll need a carabiner block and a paracord to get it back on a single strand.
What if my rope gets stuck when I try to pull it?
A stuck rope usually means it snagged on the anchor, a knot, or the rock. Try pulling from a different angle or walking to one side to change the line of pull. Never rappel more than 100 feet off the ground without a professional guide, partly because a stuck rope over that distance is much harder to sort out safely.
Is it a problem to have way too much rope?
Extra rope is fine as long as you’re landing on dry ground. The real danger is excess rope running into a river or pool of water, where you can get wrapped up in it at the bottom and drown. Match your rope length to where you’re landing, and canyoneers often carry both a short and a long rope for exactly that reason.
More Like This:
- How To Retrieve Your Rope After Rappeling
- 5 Ways To Practice Rappelling
- Can You Rappel On A Dynamic Rope? Static Vs. Dynamic Rope For Rappelling
- The Best Rappelling Device For Canyoneering
- Comparing Different Types Of Rappeling
- The Best Rope For Rappelling
- Harnesses For Rappeling
- Beginners Guide To Rappeling
- How To Self Rappel With A Grigri
- What Is The Safest Way To Rappel?
