to rappel
By Steve Lee
Of The Print
John Succo shows perfect body control in demonstrating the
proper technique for rappelling. Notice the simplicity of the
equipment needed to begin rappelling.
Have you ever seen people
running around in the summer
wearing t-shirts that say, “Go
Climb A Rock”? This week I
tried it and had the time of my
life. We went up to Rocky
Butte in north Portland,
overlooking the airport, and •
with a minimum of equipment
spent the afternoon practicing
free-climbing, rappelling, and
belay techniques.
All over the country the
popularity of rock climbing has
grown. There are numerous •
books on the. subject, schools
that teach mountaineering and
rock climbing (if you saw Clint
Eastwood in the movie “Eiger
Sanction,” you’ll remember the
climbing school that George
Kennedyzowned), and shops
and stores devoted entirely to
the sport.
One book that is good for the
beginner is, “Basic Rockeraft”
by Royal Robbins. It is simple,
to the point, authoritative,
packed full of information, and
only costs $2.50 at R.E.I. (the
mountain climbing store at
Jantzen-Beach). Robbins is
one of the best rock climbers in
the country , and in his book he
discusses the basic techniques
of climbing, the use and buying
of equipment, and safety.
A friend of mine who has
been climbing- for the past few
years has given me some in­
struction in rappelling, belay­
ing, and free climbing, and I’m
hooked for three reasons: 1)
thf^absolute^ Jun, 2) the
rela(ively smalLcost5,3) and the
comparative ease with which
the basics can be learned.
Rappelling is a means of
sliding down a rope, safely and
in control. Johnny Gage and
Roy Desoto always did it on
“Emergency.” You can go as
fast or as slow as you care; or
dare.
Belaying is a safety measure
used to keep a climber from
falling and getting hurt. One
method is to tie a rope to the
climber, using simple climbing
knots, of course» run it through
a couple* of carabiners at the
tope of a cliff and back down to
the safety man on the ground.
The safety man need only app.
ly a little friction to the rope and
the climber is suspended in
mid-air until he hollers;
“SLACK,” or the safety man
gets*tired and goes home. The
whole principle of belay and
rappell is friction. The more
friction, the slower the descent.
Not 'being «an expert on the
sport, no attempt will be made
here to explain the exact knots
to use, or the type of equip,
merit,or
any
othei
technicalities. Seek qualified in
stfuction. There is plenty of it
around.
Free-climbing is the ascen­
ding of a rock face uhaided by
equipment. With as simple a
piece of equipment as a pair of
tennis shoes you can begin
freeclimbing. Even hiking boots
will work. There are special
climbing shoes available, but
the cost is inhibiting and un
necessary for the beginner.
With as little cash outlay as
$75 you can do all three of the
above. It is a very short list o
only the most basic items: 100
feet of rope, two ori three
carabiners (locking snap rings),
one figure-of-eight descending
ring, and either a sit-harness or
some nylon webbing to make
one out of. You might also
want to include both Walt
Wheelock’s “Ropes, Knots &
Slings for Climbers,” and “A
Climbing Guide to Oregon” by
Nicholas A. Dodge.
Whether you choose to
climb inexpensively or: go for
broke, rock climbing can be
fun. It’s cheaper than water or
snow skiing, scubardiving, sky­
diving, and can be more
strenuous and exhausting than
any of them. It can be do«
any time of year, anywhere in
the world, for the most part. If
you’re scared of heights
though, fry something else.
students can argue with me if they
have the knowledge to do it logically —Donald Epsteii
The
By Amy DeVour
students can argue with me if well informed about iris
When he was a child, Dr. they have the knowledge to do teaching area by participating
Donald Epstein had visions of it logically.” Dr. Epstein was in ' the American Historical
being a fireman or a doctor. reared in a Jewish home and . Convention annually and by
But when he entered New his feelings often surface in his attending various workshops
York University, his childhood classes.
throughout the year.
dreams of rubber boots, fire
The Lake Oswego resident
But, Dr. Epstein believes his
police, stethes'copes and grading is fair and subjective, would rather teach in a com­
tongue depressors disap­ according to the output of the munity college setting than a
peared. His new love became student. “You have to earn the university because he feels
history.
grade,” he explains. Dr. Eps­ there is too much pressure in
Dr. Epstein began 'His tein thinks of his teaching as the latter. “Many university in­
teaching career 11 years ago “effective” and repeats em­ structors are required to write
here at C.C.C. After about two phatically, “My standards are articles as well as teach.” m
He crosses his legs and sits
years he decided he would high. I expect good grammer
return to the books and get his and detail. You just can’t make quietly, each of his elbows
Ph.D. at U of O. Katherine, his it if you don’t do the reading.” nestled between a rack of
wife of 15 years, substituted A majority of the knowledge is books. Dr. Epstein is mildly
during his absence. She, too, is absorbed through lectures and, concerned with his office
, space, or rather the lack of it.
a history instructor.
of course, reading.
Any student who has ever
Dr. Epstein has written and The office is split jaggedly in
had Dr. Epstein is aware of his ‘ published several articles in half by a file cabinet and two
overt and steadfast opinions on history. He plans to begin desks. This he shares with
religion and women.
research for an article on the another instructor. John Rau.
Regarding his beliefs on Jewish community in Portland .“It’s a very enjoyable way to
earn a living.”
religion, he stated, “The during spring break. He keeps
Of The Print
Page 4
Dr. Donald Epstein expresses a thought.
Clackamas Community College