rappel
ruh-PEL
/ræˈpɛl/
To descend a steep cliff or vertical drop using a doubled rope and specialized friction control devices.
Refers exclusively to controlled vertical descent under friction, not climbing upward.
The story behind the word. The technique was coined by Alpine guide Jean Charlet-Straton during an 1879 solo descent of the Petit Dru. In French, 'rappeler' literally meant 'to recall'—referring to retrieving or 'recalling' the rope from below after descending.
Word relationships
- abseil: Abseil is the British/German term for the exact same activity as rappel (American French term).
- descend: Descend is broad and applies to walking downhill, whereas rappel strictly requires ropes and friction devices.
- ascend: Ascend means moving upward against gravity.
Commonly confused with
- repel: Repel means to push away or ward off; rappel means to descend on a rope.
Word family
- rappeller (noun): A person who is rappelling.
Collocations
- rappel down
- rappel device
- rappel anchor
- rappel point
Example sentences
- "Trapped by the approaching storm, the paramedics prepared to rappel down the steep cliff face to reach the casualty." Emergency descent
- "The alpine team executed a swift rappel from the hovering helicopter down to the snow plateau." Tactical exercise
Memory hook
RAPPEL down the rope to REPEL danger. Controlled rope descent.
When not to use
Do not use for ascending ropes or free-falling without friction gear.
Fun facts
- British mountaineers use 'abseil' from German 'abseilen' (to rope down), while North Americans prefer 'rappel' from French.
Related words
Also appears in
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