5 Things you didn’t know about Abseiling
What initially was devise as a method of descending from steep slopes, Abseiling a.k.a. Rappelling has come up as a popular adventure sports.
1. Origin – The origin of this technique of descending steep slopes is credit to Jean Esteril Charlet (1840 – 1925). He was Champion guide who developed this method after a failed attempt to climb Petit Dru alone in 1876. After some more failed attempts in 1879 he finally managed to reach the summit with the help of two Chamonix guides. It was during his this climb that he perfected the abseil.
2. The Word ‘Abseilen’ – is a German word which means ‘to rope down’.
3. Highest Abseil in the World – Maletsunyane Falls near Semonkong Lesotho, Africa measuring a drop of 240 m is the Highest Abseil in the World.
4. Most Expensive Abseil – The 128m high Blade Building in Reading, London has 14 floors and is considered the most expensive structure for abseiling in the world. The building was used Royal Berkshire’s Hospital for raising fund for high tech surgical robots.
5. Many purposes, one technique
This technique of descending steep slopes is used for many diverse purposes
i. When canyon hikers need to travel down a mountainous water system.
ii. By rock clamberers to return to their point of start.
iii. Rescue workers use this method to access injured people.
iv. Also used by industrial and commercial jobs that involves cleaning of tall structures.