WHAT A THRILLING ACTIVITY ABSEILING IS

Do you fear heights? Listen! Of course one would wonder how thrilling Abseiling is, such a frightening and hair-raising activity even just imagining of it. But that’s a cliché and perhaps an illusion. Many people including me myself before I did Abseiling, I used to equate it Bungee Jumping. They’re different and though a bit related!

How different?

Bungee Jumping is an activity that involves a person leaping from a high place while secured by a large and long nylon-cased rubber band around the ankles. This nylon-cased rope is erected on high raised structure a cross the gorge, Ravine, canyon, glen or gulch or any physical feature though mostly ones superimposed to a water body.

Whereas

Abseiling (to Rope Down) is a controlled descent off a vertical drop on a rock face off or a cliff using a rope. It involves a person descending down vertically by suing a rope that is wrapped on a metal. To descend safely, the abseiler/Rappeller uses a number of techniques and skills to increase the friction on the rope to the point where it can be controlled comfortably. Some of the techniques include; wrapping the rope around a typical solid material usually metal that is spiked in the rock.  

Any Safety measures taken?

Yes! A number of safety measures are taken before you go down to abseil, a brief from a guide/instructor is done, wearing of the safety gears as soon as the briefing is done, an illustration from the one of the controllers to show you it’s done. After all that your mind is already prepared to abseil.

How thrilling is it?

From my first time to see a photo of the person abseiling in Sipi I fell in love with the activity on the first sight, I was marvelled and wondered how the whole experience is all about. The two times I went to Sipi Falls is it was just enroute hence didn’t have enough time even by then the resources weren’t even, but when I had the golden opportunity to do it, it was a MUST DO. It’s one of the activities I looked up to do on my Take on the Pearl Eastern Trip and Yes I did it.

How the Whole experience was

Before we sloped down to the abseiling point (100m waterfall), we visited the 85M waterfall, not as the last time I visited Sipi things were different. This time round in the month of September 2020, the water levels were high, the falls were so beautiful to stare at, powerful and you would hear the falls roar at a distance of 500m away.  The reason why is because of the heavy rainfall in the month of September. I would if you want to visit Sipi falls the best months are August, September and October. Then March April and June when the water levels are high, the falls are so fabulous. However you need to carry good hiking shoes and heavy jumper and a rain coat if possible, because anytime in those months it rains heavily.

When we approached the falls after a short distance hike, our guide Job Soyekwo an amazing guide by all odds told us to get closer the falls so that we get a shower near the falls, quite a great experience, my clothes were drenched but I quivered after the water fall shower lol!, the weather was chilly, at some point I wondered if I would abseil. 

After getting closer to the falls and clothes being drenched 

We talked towards the 100m water fall for another thrilling experience. It was a short distance walk after a short drive though and lo and behold we had reached at the abseiling point. We found another group that were abseiling and waited for a short while. Meanwhile at that very point the sky changed, nimbus clouds gathered, in a short while it started drizzling, “What a bad day, will I abseil?” I was boggled! “Can we do it tomorrow morning?” one of us inquired! “Oh yeah, it’s possible” Job our guided responded in affirmation. “It’s always bright in the morning.” He added. Aly (CEO Talent Africa Group) suggested we wait for minutes if it doesn’t clear up then we can do it the next day. “Deal” we agreed in affirmation. Shortly after a few minutes of waiting it cleared up and a little drizzles continued but that couldn’t stop us, since we were eagerly wanting to do it. Sandra (who was my guest on this trip) and I agreed to go first to Abseil. We went through a quick briefing from Job our guide and wearing of our protective gears; the harness, Abseiling helmet, Accessory cord and Carabineers.  It was now time to do it, carefully we stood and listened to the instructions as the ropes where fixed on our harnesses, the accessory cord and Belay devices to cause friction on the rope while you abseil. Slowly we began to descend and we were instructed by our instructor/guide, Job. Photos were taken and he told us to release the rope and feel free as we abseiled.

Sandra and I before descending down

The first 30 meter of us abseiling down to 100 meters were natural and we abseiled as we stepped on the rock, after the 30 meter we started suspending in the air and that was the best moment. At that point you would see no one a part from a colleague I abseiled with. Overlooking the plunge pool, the rocks and the waters was so exciting. I was marvelled as I gazed at them but wondered, how I would reach, where will I step, who will doff us the gears upon reaching the bottom, to my astonishment as we neared the bottom, we saw some gentle me who stretched out a long still for us to hold unto as they pulled us towards a get down point. This elated me, I thanked God. Quickly they doffed off the gears as they asked us how the whole experience was “Amazing” I responded, “I wish I would wish do it again” I responded. Watch here the whole process: 👉 https://youtu.be/M_vXkikQh1o

We stood for a while as we waited for our colleagues who abseiled after us, so that we can walk together, to the lodge. At this time it was passed 5pm. It took us like 30mins walk from the falls to where our van and we drove off to the lodge. Upon arrival the lodge, colleagues congratulated me upon making it, they actually thought I wouldn’t because of the way how cold and quivering I was. But I made it.

If you fear heights, you need to overcome your fears and do it its such an interesting activity that you will fascinated after doing it. Oh amazing is it! Trust me it safe and enjoyable. Try it you will be testifying just as I have done. And please if you do it after reading this blog let me know we cheer! Lol!

Cleopatra and Phillip who were part of the team Abseiling 

Things that you will need while going for Abseiling;

• A pair of closed shoes preferably Sports Shoes or Hiking Shoes, Light clothes that can easily dry up because you will get wet at some point.
•  A rain jacket especially in the rainy seasons, rains in Sipi can pour any time.
• You can carry your camera especially if you’re a blogger like me or a content creator, you will need those photos, but in case you don’t have one, never mind, Mulima Mountain Adventures team have a camera and can help you take photos. 

 

Thank you for taking time to read this blog. Let me know if it has been helpful in any way in the comment section and share. Thanks