Page 102 - Rappelling

The drawback of the carabiner wrap, aside from Munter Hitch
the fact that it horribly twists the rope, is that if the The Munter hitch works on a single strand or
carabiner flips around, the twisting action of the double strands of rope. In a pinch the Munter can
rope could inadvertently open a screwgate cara- be used for rappelling, although it will put some
biner, depending on the carabiner’s orientation. To kinks in your rope. Position the gate of the carabiner
prevent this, orient the carabiner so that the wider opposite the braking side of the Munter hitch, so
end is down and the rope runs from the anchor, there is no chance the movement of the rope can
under the top of the carabiner, and out over the unscrew or open the gate. To obtain the most friction
bottom of the carabiner. Be cautious if using the and the fewest kinks from the Munter hitch, hold
carabiner wrap on only one carabiner clipped to the brake strands above the carabiner and parallel to
your harness belay loop—the rope running over the the load strands above the carabiner. If you hold the
belay loop can melt the nylon. Better to use another brake strands below the carabiner, at a 180-degree
locking carabiner to attach the carabiner wrap biner angle to the load strands above the device, you’ll get
to your harness. less friction and the rope will kink more.

The Munter hitch also
works on a doubled rope for
rappelling.

Rappelling Methods and Devices 91

Rappelling_i-174_3pp_CS55le.indd 91 7/24/13 10:17 AM