June 8, 2025
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
Three club members gathered at Piper’s Lagoon on Saturday for a hands-on introduction to rappelling—an essential skill in the mountaineer’s toolkit.
The focus of the day was learning and practicing the extended rappel technique, which offers better control and versatility when descending. By extending the rappel device away from the harness using a personal anchor system or sling.
Though the day was scorching hot, a relentless wind occasionally had us reaching for extra layers. We began by practicing the basics in a low-risk area, ensuring everyone was comfortable with the techniques before moving on to more demanding terrain.
With enough time for multiple descents of the long wall, each participant had the opportunity to build confidence and refine their technique. It was a productive and rewarding session.
After a day of learning and laughter, I’m confident these folks are well on their way to tackling bigger mountaineering goals!