On Saturday 9 September at 0630 in the morning over 60 cadets, students, faculty and employees of WPI were lined up outside the WPI Army ROTC supply room. With some confusion, energy and a short wait, senior ROTC cadets issued the infamous Swiss seat rope, helmet, and additional Army gear to everyone. Upon arrival at Leominster State Forest, the senior cadets provided breakfast, donuts, coffee, and juice to everyone while Lieutenant Colonel Steven Lindberg, the Military Science Department Head, forewarned the future rappelers of the hazards of this outdoor activity and the precautions the Army takes in order to make this event as safe as possible.
Cadets then divided the future rappelers into two groups. The inexperienced group walked along a pond and stopped at a secluded bay with a steep embankment. Here senior cadets taught the group how to traverse a 100 foot long rope bridge across the bay. The building and traversing of this rope bridge requires specialized training and physical coordination. Many may testify to this as they fell into the cold water below. As one faculty member said "The cadets and younger students make it look so easy."
The second group, of experienced rappelers, proceeded first to the main event. They climbed 400 meters up to the base of the rock faces. There they watched the senior cadets and cadre demonstrate the proper methods to take the plunge and rappel off the ledge. They also learned some technical facts concerning the military equipment, such as the rope is rated for 3000 lbs, but may break as low as 900 lbs. That is why the Army likes to use two ropes when rappelling. After some additional training on the bunny slope, students, cadets, faculty, and employees all took the plunge off the two rock faces. Many were slow and slightly afraid the first time. Thanks to good coaching by the senior cadets and cadre their fears quickly subsided and the rappelers were ready for another try. Soon the bold and the brave were ready to try the Australian rappel. This rappel is different from the traditional military/seated rappel. Instead of going over the ledge by walking backwards, the Australian rappeler walks over the ledge face forward and runs down the rock face. Most of these brave rappelers received a rush of adrenaline as they began to walk out and look 70 feet straight down to the ground. Once again the experienced cadets and instructors coached them down.
After the two groups challenged themselves at both sites, the base operations crew served hamburgers and hot dogs to everyone. Cadets, students, employees, and faculty enjoyed the food and conversed about the plunges they had taken.
It was a lot of fun!!
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