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With Grappeller - |
The Grappeller - $75 (all prices are in Canadian dollars)
A lightweight rappelling harness designed to be worn around the upper chest, under the arms. Safe, secure and easy to learn. Can be used in traditional rappelling fashion, or reversed Australian style. Made of climbing-grade webbing and rated hardware. $75.00 price includes a large locking carabiner.
Specify size (measured around upper chest just under the arms).
Grappeller.com Refund Policy:
Grappeller.com will offer a full refund for all products purchased from Grappeller.com under the following conditions:
1. That the product be returned to Grappeller.com within 30 days of receipt.
2. That a written explanation for the return accompany the product.
3. That the product not show evidence of abuse or misuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why grappel?
The Grappeller was originally developed as an accessory for hikers to enable them to safely negotiate difficult and steep terrain. It is light enough to carry in a day pack, sets up in seconds and is very easy to use. Grappelling is a lot of fun and is a sport in its own right. A Grappeller is not intended to replace conventional rappelling gear used by rock climbers.
Besides a Grappeller, what else do I need to go grappelling?
Besides a Grappeller, all that is needed to grappel is a lightweight climbing-grade rope (6 to 8 mm.). A climbing helmet is also strongly recommended. Leather gloves make it easier on the hands. A roomy daypack is useful to carry your gear.
How much does a Grappeller cost?
The Grappeller sells for $75 Canadian and comes with a locking carabiner.
How long a rope do I need?
Because the rope is usually doubled when grappelling, you’ll need a rope twice as long as the highest rock face you expect to descend. Since the Grappeller is most effective on rock faces and slopes up to 15 meters (50 feet), we recommend a rope 25 to 30 meters (80 to 100 feet) long. Choose a climbing-grade rope from 6 to 8 mm. in thickness.
What are the benefits in grappelling compared to conventional rappelling?
The grappelling system is light and simple. The Grappeller weighs 225 gm. (8 oz.) and consists of only two parts: a chest harness and a locking carabiner, which functions as the friction device. Friction can be adjusted by changing the number of wraps. There is only one strap. The rope used with a Grappeller is lightweight (6 to 8 mm.) and no knots are needed. When grappelling, both hands are used to control the descent, which increases control. The Grappeller is worn high above the center of gravity; some people find this comforting because it feels stable.
Conventional rappelling uses much heavier gear, consisting of a waist harness, a locking carabiner and separate friction device, such as a figure eight. There is no way to control the amount of friction. The harness is complicated with waist and leg straps and, while very safe if put on correctly, can be dangerous if put on incorrectly. The rope used is heavy and rigging the anchor requires a complicated knot, webbing and extra carabiners. Only one hand controls the descent.
How safe is grappelling?
While there is always a risk with any activity at height, grappelling has been developed to make such activity very safe. For example, the Grappeller is made of the highest quality rated materials. The Grappeller is very forgiving and can be put on upside down or inside out and still function safely. No knots are needed in the rope. The user can control the amount of friction on the rope by the number of wraps on the carabiner. Both hands can be used in grappelling which also provides a great degree of control. And by belaying from below (a spotter standing at the bottom of the rock face holds the rope loosely in their hands and pulls on it if the person grappelling gets into trouble), newbies are protected from an accidental fall. It is our experience that hikers packing Grappellers are far safer than those without.
How long does it take to learn how to grappel?
Grappelling is intuitive, and it takes about five minutes to learn the basics.
What is involved the first time?
Before you try grappelling for the first time, it’s important to review the training videos and printed material. It’s always helpful for newbies to have experienced grappellers with them to check their rigging and belay them from below. To begin, choose a gentle slope with a good launch point and safe anchor. Start with a double wrap on the carabiner to provide lots of friction. Lean back and keep your feet wide apart to provide a stable base as you move down the slope. And be sure you take the time to enjoy the experience!
Can children use the Grappeller?
Absolutely! Kids seem to pick up the concept very quickly. As with all beginners, start them on a slope that is not too steep and put them on belay. Don`t force them if they don’t want to grappel; they may want to watch for a while first before they decide to give it a try. Kids who grappel really feel empowered; it’s a great way to build self confidence.
Can older people use the Grappeller?
Grappelling is a great activity for people of all ages and skill levels. It takes very little effort because gravity does all the work. Grappelling offers the thrill of rock climbing without the sweat.
Can the Grappeller be used on vertical walls?
Yes, but grappelling down a vertical wall does place some strain on the upper body. It is recommended that a Grappeller be used on vertical walls no higher than 10 meters (35 feet) and that users place both hands on the rope ahead of them to ease the strain. For vertical rock faces higher than 10 meters, use conventional rappelling gear.
What about overhangs?
The Grappeller is not recommended for overhangs because of the strain it puts on the upper body. For overhangs, use conventional rappelling gear.
Can the Grappeller be used to go up?
While grappelling is the most fun you can have going down a rope, using ascenders with the Grappeller is definitely the most fun going up a rope. You’ll need a second large locking carabiner and two ascenders to ascend a rope.
Got a question about grappelling?
Drop us a line at: info@grappeller.com
The Grappeller for Beginners
The Grappeller for Intermediate Users
The Grappeller for Experts and Trainers.
About the Grappeller Team
The Story of the Grappeller
By James Gregory
Inventor of the Grappeller
For many years, I hiked regularly in the red rock country around Sedona, Arizona. In the course of a typical off-trail hike, usually on the final leg as I descended from the red rocks — all too often I would encounter a steep slope or cliff that was too difficult to climb down safely — resulting in a time-consuming and tiring search for an alternative route. On a number of occasions when I was too tired or impatient, I found myself part way down a dangerous rock face that I should not have attempted.
Then I bought 25 meters of light mountaineering rope and found that by doubling it around a tree or bush at the top of a rock face, I was able to climb down places that would have previously been impossible for me to negotiate.
Still, I was not feeling safe. Hand-over-hand descents are dangerous because most people (including me) do not have the upper-body strength to support their weight on a rope for very long. Rock faces that include overhangs are particularly hazardous. I once spent a night trapped on a ledge half way down a cliff face because I was not able to maintain my grip on the rope as I tried to climb down an overhung section. I fell, injuring myself, and found myself in a place where I was not able climb either up or down. I had to be rescued in the morning.
So, for years, I worked at designing a piece of gear that would enable me to attach myself to a rope and safely descend a rock face, thus eliminating the risk of a fall, yet be light enough to be unnoticeable in my hiking pack (unlike heavy rappelling gear). The Grappeller (Gregory Rappelling System) is the fruit of my labours. The U.S. Patent Office says there is nothing like it.
Description
The Grappeller is a simple device that enables a person to safely and comfortably descend steep slopes and cliffs. It is light enough (300 gm plus a rope) that a hiker can carry it without adding a significant weight or volume to a pack. It is very easy to use.
The Grappeller is made of climbing-grade nylon webbing (with a breaking strength of 1,500 kg) and rated metal hardware. Its unique design makes use of a locking carabiner that doubles as a friction device attached to a lightweight mountaineering-grade rope (7 or 8 mm static style recommended).
The Grappeller wraps around the back and under the arms, and buckles across the chest. The rope is doubled around some secure object (such as the trunk of a tree) at the top of a steep slope or cliff. Both strands of the rope are then wrapped around the carabiner, which is then clipped to the Grappeller and locked. The user can then descend safely, controlling the rate by the amount of pull applied to double strand of rope below the carabiner: the more the user pulls on the ropes, the greater the drag as the ropes pass through the friction device and the slower the descent.
Additional Comments
As with any mountaineering venture, a safety helmet should be worn when grappelling. A certified mountaineering helmet is recommended.
While designed for use on a double rope, the Grappeller can also be used on a single strand of rope tied securely to an anchor.
To increase the friction and slow the rate of descent, the rope can be wrapped twice around the carabiner (double wrap).
The Grappeller also works well when climbing a rock face if used with ascending devices such as Petzl Tiblocs which weigh only 30 gm each.
The design of the Grappeller makes use of one continuous piece of nylon webbing which adds to its safety.
If a person using the Grappeller should get into difficulty, a spotter at the bottom of the cliff holding the rope loosely can control their descent by pulling on the rope (called belaying from below or fireman’s belay).
Other uses for the Grappeller are for exiting burning buildings, descending from trees, and caving.
Summary
What makes the Grappeller unique is its simplicity and lightness. It is so simple it can learned in minutes, and it is so light that a hiker can carry it in a pack without noticing it.
Outdoor Adventures in SW Ohio - "Already used it a couple of times and I love it!" - Brian R