2008 Rappel Guidelines:

  1. Application to rappel off the Bridge should be made by a Team of twelve to fourteen rappellers. The Team leader will be responsible for submitting the application for each member of the Team, certifying experience, supervising participation, as well as disseminating information to the Team members.
  2. Each Team member should be an experienced rappeller, eighteen years or older, who is familiar with the skills, equipment, and rescue techniques associated with rappelling. Each participant must assume personal responsibility for his/her own safety. Each prospective rappeller will be required to complete an individual application with an original signature outlining his/her rappelling training, experience, and equipment to be used.
  3. The Team leader will make application for the Team by returning the completed application forms for each participant along with a non-refundable $129 per person fee, individual digital photo in JPEG or TTIF format, and non-refundable $150 team fee. Applicants not chosen to rappel off the Bridge will have their money returned. The team fee will not be returned. The fees of those chosen to rappel will be used to pay the costs associated with the Bridge Day™ event. Please make all checks payable to the Bridge Day™ Rappel.  Digital photos may be emailed to info@bridgedayrappel.com and should be a picture of the applicant's face similar to a 'passport' photo.  These should be in JPEG or TTIF format.
  4. A detailed financial statement will be presented to the Bridge Day™ Commission, each participating Team, and any interested parties after Bridge Day™.
  5. Remember, rappelling can be dangerous! Each rappeller should be experienced with long rappels. Each applicant must have completed at least one 250' rappel. He/she is responsible for his/her equipment and personal safety. Each rappeller chosen to rappel off the Bridge will complete and sign an ‘acceptance of risk and liability waiver’ releasing all people associated with Bridge Day™ rappelling (i.e., Bridge Day™ Commission, Rappel Coordinator, Bridge Day™ Safety Team, Team members).
  6. Individuals not associated with a Team will be given the list of Teams who have made application to rappel off the Bridge. The individual can then make the contact with a Team to see if space is available. We will not assign individuals to rope teams.
  7. Bridge Day™ rappelling is not a training session. Knotted ropes are not allowed!
  8. Teams will be assigned a rappel site determined by a public lottery drawing on Friday, June 15th at Passages To Adventure, Route 19 Maple Lane in Fayetteville. You do not have to be present to be selected to rappel off the Bridge. There are NO REFUNDS for cancellations after the drawing.
  9. If there is a problem/concern with an application, the applicant and Team leader will be contacted.
  10. All ropes will be rigged from the catwalk under the Bridge.  All ropes will be rigged under the Bridge.  Two independent anchors will be provided.  Only the approved rigging of a Figure Eight with an Inline Figure Eight will be accepted.  Specific directions regarding the accepted rigging can be found here. 
  11. The catwalk will be supervised and secured on Bridge Day™. A pass will be issued to each rappeller and person authorized to be in the area.  Do not lose this pass.  It is your only access to the catwalk.
  12. Once a Team has been chosen to rappel, substitutions and/or additions may be made with the permission of the Rappel Coordinator. New applicants must pay the $129 fee. The application fee is not transferable. There will be NO substitutions and/or additions made after Monday, August 27th. Do not ask!
  13. You are required to check-in for the Bridge Day™ rappel on Friday, October 17th between noon and 6 PM. Information and materials will be given to you at that time. There will be an organizational meeting beginning at 6:30 PM. You must be present at the organizational meeting or you will not be allowed to participate on Saturday.
  14. Helmets are required!  Figure 8's and ATCs are not allowed.
  15. Each Team must have four radios:
    1. On the catwalk at the anchor,
    2. At the bottom of the rope,
    3. With the Team leader at all times, and
    4. At the north end of the Bridge in the morning.
    5. Radio frequencies for each team will be assigned no later than October 1st.  Please use ONLY the frequency assigned to your team.  Law Enforcement and the Safety Team as well as the other Rappel Teams will be using various other frequencies throughout the day.  Keeping these channels open is critical to the overall safety of the public and participants.
  1. "Speed Rappels" will not be allowed. The individual involved and the entireTeam will be removed from the catwalk if this takes place.
  2. The 2008 Bridge Day™ Rappel Coordinator is Benjy Simpson. His decisions are final.