Belay on window-washer
D | Wednesday, September 21, 2005

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This morning two window-washers were outside of my building. I wouldn't have given it a second thought but as I was walking in one of the guys dropped about 4 stories in half a second, stopping just before the ground. The rope made that zipping noise that you hear when it burns through your 8 during a big bound. Our Rappellmasters always hated that noise because it meant we were tearing up their ropes.

One singular noise had me reminiscing like crazy - took me back to my days of rappelling at Hocking Hills with my scout troop. Mr. D, Go-go-gadget-kick-your-ass, and the entire leadership crew running the rappel site. Those were some good times. At OSU when I had my own equipment, some friends and I went out and had a day of rappelling. Most recently I went out last November and coached our local scout troop. Still, it's been a long time since I was out rappelling. There is nothing more exhilarating than sticking your ass out over a cliff, with your feet pivoting on the edge, and knowing that the only thing saving you is a half inch piece of rope.

I wanted to find this picture of Travis and I screwing around while rappelling (not to be advised), but I don't know what I did with it. For now, here is a picture of me working with one of the scouts as he negotiates the lip.


PS: For those uninitiated, "belay" is a climbing/rappelling term for the act of making sure your partner does not fall and die. Noun or verb and often used as a question before acting, here what the dictionary has to say.

D | 9/21/2005 12:09:00 PM |   Post your comment

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Comments:

I wish law school left me time for things like rappelling...:(

-Sally
Anonymous | September 22, 2005 2:35 PM | permalink
 

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Ah Sally, too true. We should go sometime before it gets cold. Let me know how your schedule looks.
D | September 23, 2005 5:25 PM | permalink
 

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I don't think your girlfriend would like you driving to NC to go rappelling with a girl you have never even met before.
Anonymous | September 23, 2005 6:48 PM | permalink
 

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This post has been removed by the author.
Brad | September 23, 2005 6:48 PM | permalink
 

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Damn spelling mistakes.

I was going to ask if you wanted to try to hit some golf balls on Saturday if you are in Columbus (and get this email before then).
Brad | September 23, 2005 6:52 PM | permalink
 

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What?
D | September 23, 2005 8:56 PM | permalink
 

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OH BRADLEY.

MYSTERY SOLVED!
D | September 23, 2005 8:58 PM | permalink
 

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Yeah, I'm in Cincy this weekend - maybe golf next time I'm up.
D | September 23, 2005 8:58 PM | permalink
 

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