[TowerTalk] Sad news N5IA SK in tower fall

[N3AE]

Bob, 

OK up to a point. In mountaineering, the belayer is always focused 100% on the climber, both visually when possible and by tactile feel through the tension on the rope. No distractions allowed like reaching for tools to put on a haul rope, etc. 

Yes, you 'could' use a descender device like a Petzl or figure eight to slowly lower yourself (basically a rappell or abseil) on a properly secured climbing rope. But unless you like being scraped by the tower on the way down, you'll have to push yourself off the face of the tower with your feet. That will be difficult at the top of the tower near the rope tie-off (angle of rope to the tower) and there's the risk of a foot slipping into and through the tower lattice (more scrapes and bruises). Not sure I'd recommend it but admit I've never tried that. 

OBTW...from what I've read, most accidents during abseils are due to incorrect hookup to the descender device, not noticed before putting your weight on the rope. 

Shawn