Doc Braun Record 110m Absail in Tasmania

WHAT WAS I THINKING!? Many years ago I was showing my sister around Tasmania on holidays when we visited the Franklin Dam where an absail crew offered me on the spot a $50 absail down the face of the dam as they had a cancellation and were all set up to go. My sister and I laughed and walked off but on the return trip past them he said he was serious. Before I knew what I was doing I was trussed up and standing on the ledge holding onto a rope that progressively stretched to the thickness of a clothesline wire. Not having communication with me, I got very concerned about 30 metres off the bottom when I had to let go of the rope as my hands had burnt thru the gloves with the hot rope. I didn't know if I was going to fall or if everything was normal and OK and no one could hear me anyway. From a thrill point of view yes it was the ultimate thing to do given the circumstances but I really thought that the rope was going to burn thru and break or that if I let go I would end up like the contents of Paul Newman's salad dressing. The guide was terrific and I'm sure would have told me all the safety things before I went out there but truly there was no way I could have taken that in on the spot like that but I'm very excited I did it and now I can show everyone what I've been talking about for the last decade or so. NOW I know why they have that big collection bag right under you on the way down!! Apparently he said it was the longest absail drop in the southern hemisphere so I'm glad to be still here today making this video - Enjoy!!

Category:

Travel & Events

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• DOCBRAUN2015
• DOC
• BRAUN
• ABSAILS
• 110m
• FRANKLIN
• DAM
• TASMANIA