Abseiling

Abseiling

Abseiling is often seen as a standalone and glamorous activity thanks to its popularity as an outdoor pursuit, but it is actually an essential skill for mountaineering, as it usually gives climbers the quickest route off the fell side.

This is vital for those needing to descend quickly in the event of an emergency. For example, a Mountain Rescue volunteer may use abseiling to quickly reach a person who has taken a steep fall. Abseiling uses a rope and harness to descend down a cliff face, and is a great way of testing your courage.

What Abseiling Involves

In abseiling, you will usually wear some sort of harness. This is then attached to a rope that is anchored onto something at the top of the cliff. This could be a tree, a boulder, or specially designed rock climbing equipment. The rope and harness are attached through a friction device, often referred to as a belay device. This device creates tension on the rope that prevents you from simply falling. You are then able to control the speed at which you descend.

What to Wear and Bring

Most activity companies will provide all the ropes, harnesses, helmets, and safety gear required for abseiling, but it’s a good idea to check in advance to confirm if this is the case. You will need to wear a good pair of walking boots or firm trainers, and comfortable clothing. Jeans are not advisable as in wet weather they can take a long time to dry out. You should take a change of clothes with you just in case.

You will probably need to provide your own refreshments, but check with your activity company if this is the case.

Where to Abseil in the Lake District

According to the British Mountaineering Council, abseiling is the top cause of fatalities of all mountaineering activities. Therefore, unless you are an experienced climber with all of the necessary equipment and good local knowledge, we do not recommend you attempt abseiling without a guide. There are several companies in the Lake District offering abseiling, either as a standalone activity, or as part of a package. Some take individual bookings, others require groups.