Safe & Smart Rappelling Techniques
50 modern techniques to increase enjoyment while descending. Many climbers consider rappelling to be, "the most dangerous part of the climb". This course is designed to make that less so. After I learned these skills and techiques, going down was transformed from a stressful crap shoot into a low stress puzzle of deciding what new tool I could use for the given situation.
Do You Avoid Rappelling Whenever Possible?
- Have your walked miles and miles off a route, just to avoid rappelling?
- Been in a situation where the stress level was uncomfortably high due to the descent?
- You've wondered how other climber get down so quickly
- You are curious to learn skills you don't know you didn't know
If Yes, Then This Course Is Built For You:
- 25+ real-life rappelling situations demonstrated
- Rescue skills for when disaster strikes
- Simple quick training to keep you from disaster striking in the first place
Easy To Complete
In less than two hours, you will have what you need to know.
Forever Access
No subscriptions. No time limits. Reference this course forever.
Join 1200+ students
Lots of happy skiers and splitboarders have completed this course.
What sets this course apart?
- Get educated on your schedule.
- Access future updates for free.
- Ask direct questions to Mark Smiley throughout.
- Safe learning environment. Be bold with your questions.
Video Curriculum
- Introduction (1:16) Preview
- Disclaimer: Watching Videos Does Not Make You An Expert
- 3 Always & 3 Nevers (2:27)
- Inspect the Anchor (2:57)
- Knots: 1 Great & 3 Not-So-Great Rope Joining Knots (5:21)
- Extending Your Belay Loop (10:58)
- Tethers & Anchors Explained (5:01)
- Saddle Bags Giddy Up (4:06)
- Knots in Rope Ends (Always?) (4:36)
- Throwing Rope Like A Boss (2:00)
- 4 Ways To Go Hands Free (5:05)
- One Gri Gri One ATC (4:50)
- Pull vs Flip the Rope (3:25)
- Fatal Mistakes (3:50)
- Rappelling At The Crag (3:04)
- Formative Assessment: 1
- 34 Rappels Under Seracs and Cornices (1:21)
- Entering Mega Exposed Rap Stations (4:27)
- Pre-Rigged Rappel (7:32)
- Simul-Rappelling (4:35)
- Double Check The System (2:27)
- Shorter IS Better (2:32)
- Pin Halfway with the Device (0:45)
- Get Off Rappel Quickly (7:48)
- Overhanging & Traversing Rappels (2:20)
- Footwear
- Formative Assessment: 2
- Rappel on 6mm Cords? (6:41)
- Rigging A Tag Line (2:47)
- Bonus: V-Thread Ice Anchor Rappels (10:04)
- Tag Line Recommendation (17:42)
- Formative Assessment: 3
- Snagged Rope (9:19)
- Dropped Device? Poop! 2 Ways To Deal (4:05)
- Hair Caught in Device (3:48)
- Off Route? Reascending Double Ropes (4:54)
- Ambition Exceeding Talent? Bailing Mid Pitch (9:10)
- Pass A Knot On Steep Terrain (3:30) Preview
- Got Friction? Rock & Tree Anchors (2:06)
- Lowering A Climber (8:45)
- Core Shot Rope? Poop! No Need For 9-1-1 (12:53)
- Bailing Off Two Nuts (7:41)
- Tandem Rappelling (10:37)
- Beal Escaper (4:06)
- Counterbalance Rappel
- Ropes too short?
- Formative Assessment: 4
- Arm Wrap Down a Fixed Line (4:26)
- Equivocation Hitch (4:04) Preview
- Trust the System (0:57)
- Introduction To Belayed Rappelling (1:42)
- Good Site Selection (2:34)
- Bonus: Munter Mule Overhand Knot (3:01)
- Rigging A Releasable Rappel Rope (14:45)
- Strong Body Position (1:54)
- Dealing with Fear & Hair (8:59)
- Big Packs & Pear Shaped People (2:15)
- Formative Assessment: 5
Enroll Here
- Complete the course on your schedule. Use the video lessons as a reference for future refreshing.
- You can ask Mark Smiley direct questions throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Forever - across any devices you own.
There are four Tier 2 and Tier 3 live zoom calls. When you sign up today you will be grouped with that cohort and be given a schedule of events. The live zoom calls and field days are the only fixed date events. Everything else has flexibility.
All courses have a 365 day money back guarantee.
Yes. Every video has a place where you can write in questions, and Mark will reply personally.
Meet your instructor
Mark Smiley
Mark Smiley's passion for adventure has taken him on 30+ expeditions on five continents. He and his wife, Janelle, are the only people that have attempted to climb all 50 Classic Climbs of North America (48 successfully). He was part of a team to set a world record skiing across the entire Alps Mountain Range (1100 miles and 292,000 vertical feet) in a mere 36 days.
His teaching style is fun, mellow and easy to understand. As an IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide, Mark is among the world's elite guides to reach this status. More important than this certification, is his candid style of conveying to you the best techniques that will help you the most.
Victor Caldua was a friend and mountain guide and father who died in an avalanche while climbing Alpamayo, Peru. He left behind a wonderful wife, Alicia, and two amazing and talented daughters, Vanessa and Estefani. 10% of the profit from this course will be gifted to Victor's family for their education expenses. Vanesse wants to be an engineer and Estefani wants to be a mountain guide.
Sept 22, 2022 Update: $8500 sent to the family, to help with school expenses. We committed to supporting their needs indefinitely. As more people enroll, their education prospects increase.
