South African abseil
South African Abseil or South African Classical Double Roped Abseil. This variation of the non mechanical classical abseil is a modern version of the origional method used by mountaineers and rock climbers to quickly descend steep terrain by sliding down a rope wrapped around their body to create controlled friction.
History
This method of classical (non mechanical) abseiling was developed by South African mountaineering instructor/guide, Andrew Friedemann in 2000 whilst facilitating a Mountain Leader course in Mooi River - South Africa. The classical abseil taught on the course was deemed to be too onerous and an alternate was investigated which would remove the issues of rope burn, lack of sufficient control and toppling over backwards which is a common problem with the classical abseil. Later on that same year, the method was demonstrated to the UIAA International Training Standards Working group seminar in Chamonix - France, and was dubbed the South African Abseil by those representatives present as none of the countries taking part had seen the method before.
References
- ^ The Mountain Skills Training Handbook Pete Hill & Stuart Johnston - Pg 25. Published by: David & Charles. ISBN 0715310917
- ^ Hillwalking Steve Long - Pg 154-155. Published by: Mountain Leader Training UK. ISBN 0954151100
- ^ The International Handbook of Technical Mountaineering Pete Hill - Pg 27. Published by: David & Charles. ISBN 100715321668