accept the Abseiling challenge

Abseiling Adventure

The day commences with an introduction and welcome by our friendly skilled instructors followed by a venue safety briefing, an overview of all roping equipment used on the program and fitting of personal abseiling gear. A demonstration of abseiling techniques followed by a short practical session using these skills on level ground helps to reinforce these techniques. A final briefing on safe roping practices and now it's off to do the first descent, about 15 metres high on the introductory face. Safety is the highest priority, ensured with qualified instructors, well-maintained equipment and a participant ratio of 1:8. It's nearly all downhill from here (except for the walk back up between descents). As confidences and skills develop under the encouraging direction of the instructors, the group moves on to vertical, over hanging and higher rock faces. Our aim is to help everyone develop the confidence to tackle the main face (approximately 50 metres) by the end of the day. Those of you seeking a further challenge may wish to attempt the exhilaration of a forward run downs, (abseiling face first down the cliff). What makes this abseiling day different is the bonus of another roping activity, rock climbing up to 18 metres. We will provide: * Experienced instructors * All necessary abseiling and safety equipment * First Aid kits (1 per instructor) *$10 million Public Liability Insurance * Access Fees * Morning Tea We suggest you bring: * Packed lunch, snacks and water * Day pack for personal gear * Hat, sunscreen and insect repellent * Rubber band to tie back long hair * Clothing should be comfortable and appropriate for current weather conditions. Please note that the torso needs to be fully covered with a top that can be tucked securely into trousers * Comfortable footwear (runners or boots) * Rain jacket, thigh to knee length * Camera * A retainer strap for all glasses and sunglasses.

Abseiling Beginners Learn to Abseil - Perth

This one-day program has been designed to allow as many opportunities as possible to try abseiling and rock climbing in Perth. The focus is on developing good abseiling and rock climbing techniques, safe practices, great technical knowledge and a high level of personal confidence to take on all challenges. But most of all it's about having fun. The day commences with an introduction and welcome by your friendly, skilled abseiling and rock climbing instructors, followed by a safety briefing, an overview of all roping equipment used on the program and a fitting of personal abseiling gear. A demonstration of abseiling and rock climbing techniques, followed by a practical session using these skills on level ground, helps to reinforce the new knowledge. Then it's off to do your first abseil, about 15 metres down the introductory face. As your abseiling and rock climbing confidence and skills develop under the encouraging direction of the instructors you'll move on to vertical, over-hanging and higher rock faces. The aim is to help you develop the confidence to tackle the main face, around 50 metres high. Those seeking a further challenge may wish to attempt the exhilaration of a forward-facing, running abseil down the face of the cliff. With modern equipment, instruction in basic skills and a positive mental attitude, rock climbing and abseiling is a safe and enjoyable alternative to mainstream outdoor activities, and it's a lot more fun than the gym!

Abseiling & Canyoning Tour

Learn to abseil in Katoomba, with fantastic views across to the world famous Three Sisters. This half day beginners course is the ideal skills base for canyoning. Start with abseils up to 30 metres, then put your new skills to the test in the afternoon. Jump, swim and wade your way through an action packed canyon, finishing with a 30 metre abseil down a pumping waterfall. Features include: * Three Sisters * Katoomba Falls * Majestic cliff views * Valley of the Waters * Empress Falls

Abseiling & Rope Adventure For Six

This is a thrill-packed Adventure Ropes Activity, which is designed to be stimulating and entertaining. Corporate, incentive and social groups from ten or twenty or more will love this activity. This is particularly adventurous and a little 'out there' however participants of virtually any age and physical ability can participate. It involves Abseiling and Climbing of all types from beginners to advanced, Giant Rope activity and Flying Foxes that plunge over the cliff edge.

Abseiling - 4 hours

Learn to abseil in the famous township of the Blue Mountains - Katoomba. Scaling down heights from 5 metres to 60 metres don't forget to take in the fantastic views across to the world famous Three Sisters. This beginners course replaces the need for full day abseiling. Zero to 60 metres, with million dollar views.

Abseiling - Beginners Learn to Abseil Course - Sydney

Your beginners' abseiling course in Sydney will start on a small boulder and progress through a variety of abseils, where you'll get to practice as many times as you like. As you progress throughout the day-long abseiling course, fun challenges will be put before you. Race your mate down a sheer cliff face or launch yourself and bound to the bottom in as few touches of the wall as you dare! While it's a fun and adventurous abseiling course, enormous emphasis is placed on abseiling safety. You'll learn the important skills needed to abseil in safety anywhere, including cliff-top safety, care of equipment, safety checks and correct abseiling techniques. The abseiling guides are encouraging and entertaining and are a very useful source of rock sports knowledge around Sydney, Australia and the World. After lunch the abseiling crew will tackle bigger drops, gradually progressing to abseils of 30 to 40 metres, even up to 60 metres, depending on the abseiling site. The big abseils are for anyone feeling confident enough to accept the challenge. The true adrenalin seeker can try a face-first 'rap jump'. At the completion of the abseiling course you will have the skills to qualify as a basic abseiler and will be able to tackle more advanced abseils and rap jumps, or to try your hand at multi-pitch abseiling, canyoning or caving.

Abseiling - Full Day Course

The abseiling day commences with an introduction to the instructors and a general safety briefing. Then you are given a short overview of the equipment used during the program, a demonstration on how to fit your personal gear as well as abseiling techniques and further specific safety points. The high instructor to participant ratio (1:8) ensures the safety and quality of your experience throughout the day. You are then closely supervised through a mock descent in which you learn about attaching to and disconnecting from the rope, safety calls, and the back-up braking procedure. Then it's off to the nursery slope for your first abseil. As your confidence and skills develop under the encouraging direction of the instructors, you'll move on to more vertical and higher rock faces. Our aim is to help you develop the confidence to tackle the main face (approximately 50 metres) by the end of the day. Those of you seeking a further challenge may wish to attempt the exhilaration of forward run downs, (abseiling face first down the cliff).

Abseiling - Half Day

Learn to abseil in Katoomba, right in the heart of the Blue Mountains. As you scale down the rock face, of heights from 2m to 30m, take in the fantastic view across to the world famous Three Sisters. This half day beginners course is the ideal skills base for canyoning. Throughout the day, safety will be our number one priority ensuring you are under the supervision of our professional guides at all times. Great for families and children.

Abseiling - Half Day Adventure

Pack up your sunscreen, runners and don't forget your sense of adventure when embarking on this amazing abseiling experience. The afternoon begins with a safety briefing, followed by practicing your skills on the level ground. Once confident, you will move to the abseil wall to take the challenge. You will be led by an experienced tour guide, rappelling down 20m+ walls. All specialist equipment is provided for you, as well as light refreshments during the abseiling experience. After enjoying a break for some well deserved afternoon tea, you may take the option of climbing back up the wall while attached to a safety rope. This experience does not require you to have prior tuition in abseiling - you will be taught everything you need to know on the day!

Abseiling - The Mini Jump

A brilliant day in its own right, the Mini-Jump is an ideal half day abseiling adventure. The day starts with a thorough introduction to equipment and technique, with plenty of time to 'learn the ropes' on our 3-5 metre high practise slopes. At your leisure you continue with 15-30 metre abseils at our Mini Jump site. That's about 10 storeys high. Do as many abseils as you want! Your instructors are close at hand to encourage and explain the techniques. With your instructor explaining each step, you gradually continue to bigger cliffs, finishing on an exciting 30 metre high drop. The setting is beautiful bushland, making it both a scenic and exciting adventure!

The History of Abseiling

The sport of abseiling began in the late 1800s. Coming from the German word abseilen, meaning to rope down, the activity gained momentum after Jean Esteril Charlet devised a technique to climb down mountains. In 1879, Charlet made a successful attempt of Petit Dru and perfected the abseil.

Since this time, people all over the world have been using the abseil technique to conquer mountains and for recreational climbs.

Basically the technique requires for a rope to be anchored at the top of the mountain or structure. The individual then attaches the rope to a harness via a belay loop. One hand is placed behind the hips or backside and this acts as a brake.

The speed of the descent is controlled by the speed at which the rope passes through the belay. This control can be altered by applying friction to the rope with the hand acting as the brake.

Modern technology has improved the safety of abseiling. The equipment is significantly better than what was used by early mountaineers.

The increased safety measures has allowed abseiling to become a popular recreational activity for people across the globe.   © MAS 2007

Interesting Abseiling Facts

Did you know abseiling is also known as rappelling in America.

One of the longest reported rappels was from a hot air balloon. In 1996, Ian Ashpole thought it would be a good idea at 10,000 feet above the earth's surface to abseil down a 1600 foot rope.

The world's largest commercial abseil can be found in South Africa. Table Mountain rises 3,299 feet above Cape Town and caters for the brave (or mad) who want to abseil all the way to the bottom.   © MAS 2007