Self Retrieving Ski Anchor
I learned this sketchy rappel technique, where else, but in France, although in all fairness, it was a Swede who showed it to me. The idea is that with nothing more than a length of rope, you can set up a rappel in the middle of a snowfield, then after you’ve rappel, you can pull on the other end of the rope and get the anchor to release. The advantage of this is that you don’t need to find a tree, picket or anything else for an anchor. The disadvantage is that it is NOT a super reliable rappel anchor and at times it can have trouble releasing if you bury your skis too deep. Still, when it works it is pretty cool.
I’ve only set this up once and found that it works well in a pinch when you want a little extra security on a slope that might be a dangerous down-climb. It is not the rappel of choice for a high-stakes, free-hanging rappel!
This technique is a variation on a self retrieving ice axe rappel, which substitutes axes for skis. A key part of this rappelling technique is to have holes in your ski tips, as you need to pass the rope through them. (Yet another reason to have holes in your tips…)
Step One – Dig a trench one ski width wide with a shallow pocket in the back.
Step Two – Lay one ski horizontally in the trench, then stuff the other ski vertically in behind it. Make sure the skis are base-to-base and the horizontal ski has its tip pointing downhill.
Using a bowline, tie a loop around the upright ski, then pass the other end of the rope through the horizontal ski, tie an overhand knot, add in about six feet of slack, pass the rope through the ski tip of the vertical ski and tie another overhand knot.
Step Three – Rappel very gently, making sure not to pull on the uphill side of the rope.
Step Four – When you reach the bottom of the rope loop, auger in and pull the other end of the rope. Hopefully this will get the horizontal ski to pop loose from its bed and come out.
Step Five – Keep pulling. Hopefully the horizontal ski will pop loose, followed by the vertical ski. If this works, heads up! A mess of rope and skis will come tumbling down. If it doesn’t work… bummer. You might have to climb back up and rerig it, but now your anchor is perhaps compromised.
If it works, don’t tell your Mom about it – it will only make her worry.
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Category: 06 Downhill, Tips & Technique
Though I’ve never tried this anchor method…I was under the impression the rope goes through the tip of the vertical ski and then down to the tip of the horizontal ski…therefore you end up pulling up on the horizontal ski instead of potentially jamming it deeper into the snowpack.
Any thoughts on this ATA???
Randinenous – I have haven’t heard of it done that way, but then again, it’s not a very popular rappel method, so there is probably some improv involved each time it is done.
I like the idea of lifting the horizontal ski up first, but wonder if there would be too much friction going through the vertical tip hope (perhaps a carabiner would help, but that is another piece), and also wonder if it wouldn’t jam the vertical ski down even further. You should try it and report back. :)
A key to the way I described it is to have the tip of the horizontal ski clear and pointing downhill so that when you do pull it, it is free to release.
Hmmm…I don’t have holes in my ski tips….but I do have a drill. ;)
Drilling holes in your tips supposedly doesn’t hurt your skis, although this might vary from mfg to mfg.
“If it works, don’t tell your Mom about it – it will only make her worry.”
And if it doesn’t work, you won’t have to worry!
No seriously – this is a neat trick – I’m going to give it a thorough examination later this winter…presuming it will start to snow sometime soon in California.
Thanks!
Seems like a bollard might be just as good if the angle of the dangle isn’t too steep or the snow too soft.
Are there any methods for anchors in 3″ of crap snow that’s been rained on? The worst thing here in Idaho is that not only is it not snowing, it’s not cold enough to form ice! I was cragging in a T-shirt yesterday for Christ’s sake!!! Sorry, off tangent there…
Ralph, a bollard would most likely work as well or better than this anchor, which as much as anything is a party trick, but it could have its uses. I suppose if the snow was really rotten, this anchor would be a better choice than a bollard, but if the snow is firm, bollards will be better.