Abseiling / rappelling the Sipi Falls

What is Abseiling?

It’s an activity that involves descending a natural rock, mountain, or an artificial wall/structure using a rope in a controlled manner from the top of the mountain, cliff, or wall and is also known as Rappelling in the United States.

Want to know the difference between Abseiling and Rappelling?
The difference here is the names only but they both mean the same thing the only difference is that Abseiling is descending by means of a rope more like abseiling yourself while Rappelling is descending by means of another person holding your rope till the end.

The United States and Canada use this technique of rappelling while the United Kingdom and Europe use abseiling but all the same, techniques involve.

The origin of Abseiling or Rappelling?

Its origin dates back to 1879 in the Alps to reach its highest peak and since then, this recreational climbing activity became so popular both indoors and outdoors in beautiful different nature destinations in different parts of the world. Also, the Sipi falls Abseiling started around 2000 and it has attracted many tourists to mount Elgon Sipi falls in Eastern Uganda the hidden gems of the east.

Sipi falls offers a beginner abseiling experience at one of the volcanic rocks near Moses’s campsite about 60ms high. But the long 100m plus descent down at the backdrop of Sipi falls will leave you feeling like a pro. The team at the Abseiling point both from up and the bottom will cheer you up, make some noise like leave the rope, fly your hands like a bird as you enjoy the view of the waterfalls just 7ms next to you and some beautiful views of the sky while you are in the middle of the falls. They only do this for you so that you earn the best experience ever with incredible photos and videos for your memories, family, and friends back home!

Equipment required during the Abseiling?

Abseiling is a rock climbing sport in its essence and its equipment is all there to minimize your safety during it.

Needed Equipment!
>Ropes
>Climbing Harness
>Gloves
>Helmets
>Rappel devices are locking Carabiners

All Equipment is provided at the site

Techniques and how to rappel safely

Now you have got some little basic theory of Abseiling, rappelling or rope down the cliffs, and even basic equipment/gears you are required to use. Then allow us to explain a few techniques of abseiling in our beautiful Sipi Falls with some commanding awe-inspiring views over the Sipi gorge, the flat plains of Karamoja stretching across Lake Kyoga with a close view of Sipi plateau where some of those marvelous sunsets happen while you spin around the back of the falls.

But of course, being shown to see in real life is so far easier than seeing some written instructions here, but we shall give it a shot.

Step 1. Please start off by dressing in your gear for Abseiling for example put on your harness, helmet, and gloves and surely you need to attach your belay device to the gear loop on your harness and this requires a karabiner.

Step 2. The next thing is you also need to attach your rope on a “proper’ anchor at the top of the cliff, wall, or a tree where you are almost to abseil off. By “good” we mean anything that is not going to break off when you have just kick start or at the middle of this rush adrenaline experience. And this shouldn’t be a frozen mars bar.

But for your own information, all the good news is, the Sipi rocks where the Abseiling is done from next to the falls are a “volcanic rock” made of interlocking crystals and usually never breaks because, during the eruption, the magma escapes to form earth surface, the lava flows and cools down slowly firmly forming very hard volcanic rocks as well as volcanic glass.

Step 3. Attach one end of your rope around the anchor you have decided to use. All solid? and good. Then here comes the time to thread your rope through your belay devices and you should be connected in friction harness, device and all.

Of course here you are already ready to go. Meaning you have double-checked your anchors, and gears, and the knots should all be secure.

Then it’s the right hour to rappel.

Now face your anchor and walk baby steps back to the edge of the cliff. To be honest, this is the weirdest part of it and it’s natural to many “according to Chebaimo Backson” the first Abseiling instructor in the entire region and he has also nicknamed himself “the son of the rock”.

He also added that this rock has been his playground since his childhood and he has been talking to this rock every day and night. He went on and said no one understands this rock better than him and it’s the reason why he offers the best abseiling adventure trips at the edge of Mount Elgon, a mountain shared by Uganda and Kenya and it offers many hiking opportunities for both local and international tourists.

Backson loves his job and he likes sharing his story with different people. He said he used to climb this rock like a mountain goat when he was very young at the age of 10 years old that was in the 1970s. And lastly, Backson said also that he used to swim at the bottom of the famous Sipi falls during summer times because he lived very close to these falls where abseiling takes place.

Step 4. At the time when you are reaching the bottom, ensure to put down one of your feet first followed by the other for proper landing as you continue pulling the rope until you are a bit away from the bottom face.

But of course, the good side of it for Sipi Falls Abseiling is that there is a part of our team, down at the bottom, which will receive you as you approach the bottom. They will help you to un-tie your harness, rope, helmet, and gloves.