Abseiling

Abseiling

What is it? 

Abseiling (from the German abseilen, meaning "to rope down"), also called rappelling (mainly in the United States), is a controlled descent down a rock face using a rope, generally whilst using the legs to keep yourself from banging into the rock. Climbers use this technique when a cliff or slope is too steep and/or dangerous to descend without protection or as a method to access difficult-to-reach areas from above for various industrial applications like maintenance, construction, inspection and welding. Rescue teams also use this method as a way to access injured or stranded victims.

What does it involve?

The activity involves either climbing to a certain point and abseiling down, or starting at the top and making your descent from there. There is normally a team assisting with rope control for beginners that other students can help with, so people can get as involved as much or as little as they like. 

Why do it and what are the benefits?

Abseiling can build a great sense of being part of a team amongst students as they all complete the task together and help each other out, and can be a big confidence boost for each individual. 

What equipment do we need?

The only thing you will need to take care of is the attire of the students - make sure they are dressed appropriately! The venue should provide all the equipment needed to abseil, but check beforehand if you are unsure.

Who is it suitable for?

Most ages of students will enjoy abseiling; there are many varieties of environments to do it in, so if you choose appropriately for the age range of the group then everybody should have a good time.

Costs?

The costs vary greatly depending on the type of abseiling you do, as the activity can vary from a small indoor wall to abseiling down a cliff face; you must decide upon exactly what you wish to do and research the prices of the providers in the desired area.

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)

Younger children may be wary of getting up high, but most students should be fine taking part in abseiling activities. Also, venues who provide abseiling must by law have a valid AALS license - ask to see confirmation if you are unsure. 

How do we include?

Students with disabilties may feel left out if they are less physically able and therefore cannot control their movements while climbing, but there are more and more facilties that cater to the disabled who wish to abseil. It's possible for deaf, blind and wheelchair-bound individuals to abseil if the venue is set up for it - check out the venues around you for more information. 

Doing it abroad?

Abseiling is reasonably popular the world over thanks to its origins in practicality rather than enjoyment, so if you research providers in the area you are going to ahead of time it's likely there will be an abseiling activity to enjoy no matter where you are!

Main website: 

Visit http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=167 for a good overview of the practical elements involved in abseiling. 

 

Venues with this Activity

Challenging Disability Through Outdoor Adventure

The Lake District Calvert Trust is a residential outdoor centre with over 35 years’ experience delivering challenging outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities. 

We offer a full range of outdoor related courses and adventure experiences in mountain and water sports. Our aim is to give each of our clients a personal, high quality, safe and enjoyable adventure experience.

 

Outdoor UK Limited is an outdoor activities and development company founded in 2004 and benefiting from years of experience in the outdoors and in professional development from its founders, staff and freelance trainers.

Group climbing sessions are for young people, adults, families, school and youth groups. They are an ideal way to introduce people to the sport of climbing.

Sessions can be tailored around the groups individual needs and block bookings are also welcome if your group wishes to learn how to climb.

Waddow is a 17th-century manor house set in 178 acres of beautiful Lancashire countryside overlooking the River Ribble.

Peat Rigg Outdoor Training Centre is a converted nineteenth century farmhouse set in 90 acres of beautiful rural scenery. It is located within Cropton Forest on the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park

Teeside adventure is an exciting group of qualified outdoor enthusiasts who really believe in getting the young, the old and the uninterested to love the outdoors and to develop their own skills and confidence.

Test your nerve by journeying through a mountain via a series of exciting adventurous challenges. Try your hand at zip-lining over water or climbing up a vertical shaft, boat across a lake, traverse over an abyss, scale a waterfall or abseil your way down to the deepest point in Snowdonia! 

Ropes and Ladders have something for all ages from 4 upwards.

The high level activities get many a heart racing! Adults and children (8yrs and over) alike can enjoy the excitement of the high activities with aerial challenges,  leaps, giant swing and zip line with spectacular views of the adjacent lake and the mountains of Snowdonia.

 

Booking Centre - Trip oganiser for variously sized groups including schools to different attractions in the Snowdonia National Park. Free of charge!

Our outdoor activities and extreme sports include canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, gorge walking, abseiling, raft building and more 

We are the top provider of both adventure experiences and skills courses in the area.

Planetree Adventure is a planet conscious adventure company. We believe that exploring the planet helps you explore yourself. This can be done locally & globally, individually or in a group, in many different ways for an hour, a day a week a month or more...

Our qualified and experienced staff offer opportunities to take part in both water and land based activities.  This is your chance to try kayaking, canoeing, sailing, raft building, gorge walking, bell boating, climbing, abseiling, walking, archery, mountain biking, grass sledging, canal trips, orienteering, residentials and camping

We have a whole range of adventurous things to do including Canoeing, Gorge Walking, Bushcraft, Mountain Walking, Kayaking and much more. Have no fear! Our instructors appreciate that not everyone craves adrenaline and have the experience to work with the Newbie novice to the dedicated thrill seeker!

A spectacular limestone ravine carved out over thousands of years by waterflow, How Stean Gorge is the perfect location for outdoor activities like gorge walking, caving and rock climbing.

Abseiling; Gorge Scrambling; Hill Walking & Mountaineering; Ice Climbing; Kayaking - (Inland waters & rivers to grade 2 and sheltered tidal waters.); Mine Exploration; Open Canoeing - (Sheltered inland waters.); Orienteering; Paddle Surfing; Rock Climbing; Sea Level Traversing.

Our eco award-winning centre is perfectly located to enjoy the Stackpole Estate. The recently upgraded residential centre with theatre, meeting and classroom facilities can accommodate up to 140 guests and is ideal for educational groups, corporate clients, private group hire and family holidays.

We create life changing adventures with a light touch on nature, focus young people’s sight & skills for the future and help organisations with innovation & sustainability. We play for the planet.

The centre is in easy reach of the River Wye, the Brecon Beacons and limestone areas to the south containing some of the most extensive cave systems in Britain and both natural and quarried climbing areas.

This local environment provides an area of outstanding natural beauty, and means we are able to offer courses of an adventurous and challenging nature.

Woodlands is located in the village of Glasbury on Wye, in the Welsh County of Powys. The listed, Regency building is set in ten acres of grounds overlooking the River Wye and the Black Mountains, within easy reach of the Brecon Beacons National Park and the limestone area to the south. Our courses make full use of this outstanding and spectacular area of natural beauty.

Tregoyd House is small and friendly, but with loads of space for activities. It’s a beautiful old mansion house (where Lord Hereford once lived) and the unique and private gardens and grounds once attracted wealthy Victorian visitors to sit and picnic by the stream.

Paul is an active mountaineer, walking, mountain biking and climbing whenever possible. For over fifteen years now he has been involved in Outdoor Education, delivering a wide range of experiences and challenges for schools, as well as many other organisations and groups,  of all ages, ability and backgrounds. 

Providing adventurous outdoor activity experiences designed to stimulate, educate and motivate young people and others at affordable prices in a challenging and safe environment.

TrekCo have been running courses for schools and colleges since 1989, and are the largest provider of outdoor education in the region with over 40 instructors. We specialise in outdoor educational days and residentials – offering year group camps, induction courses, activity days and skills courses.

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