How to: Build a fixed anchor for a tree rappel

We have all been there. Looking at a line and thinking to yourself “ I think it goes but.. it might not “ Hopping a ledge and being cliffed out with no way to go back the way you came catches many people out. I can't count the amount of Parks Canada reports about skiers being caught on the back side of Wawa ridge in the Sunshine Village backcountry I have read over the years Lot's of trees, cliffy terrain and great skiing can be just the right ingredients for a night on a ledge. The common comment everyone makes after some poor soul on his ski holiday gets the shameful long line out is “ should have had a rope”. Of course that's true and would save you from having to explain yourself to parks dispatch, the ultimate party foul of the ski world. Having basic rope skills could also open up new lines and terrain for the keen powder hound and make you look like a total badass while doings it. DISCLAIMER: It is wise to have an instructor teach you these techniques. Rappeling is dangerous and you could die. 

Lucas Merlli shows us just how to set up a fixed anchor so that the next time you need to get into that line ( and you have a rope ) you can. 

http://www.tetongravity.com/vi.....ff-a-cliff

This system is bomber but it's a fixed system and you can't pull your rope through. It's fine if you can return to the top and retreive your gear. By halfing the rope you are able to pull the rope through and leave less gear at the top.  In my opnion the video below is a much more practical system.  Gear is still left but you have a backed up system and you are able to pull your rope through. 

Lastly I have used this system in a pinch and in a real world " got yourself stuck " situation this is likely the system most would use.