It can sometimes be useful to stop your rappel before reaching the bottom of the waterfall, and to safely free your hands from holding the rope.
Setting up
- Stop your descent at the point you want
- Tie a mule knot around the body of the carabiner connecting the descender to the belay loop (not around the gate)
- Secure the setup with a stopper knot tied with the loop of the mule knot, around the free strand
Taking it down
Undo the stopper knot, then the mule knot, being careful to keep the free strand under tension.
Advantages and drawbacks
This technique can be released in any circumstances, even in an awkward situation (pendulum position, rescuing a teammate, etc.).
Pair this with the foolproof descender position, as well as with our articles on the figure-eight knot and the overhand knot.
