How does rappelling allow climbers to descend a rock face?

In the sport of mountaineering, rappelling is a technique used to descend a rock face quickly when climbing down proves difficult or inefficient.1

To perform a rappel, a climber uses a doubled rope that is firmly secured at the top of the descent. The rope is wrapped around the climber's body in a specific configuration that creates friction. By holding the rope, the climber can feed it out with one hand, allowing them to control their speed and lower their body gradually and safely down the rock face.1

Because rope handling is a critical safety skill, climbers must ensure the rope is clear of sharp edges or cracks where it could become jammed or damaged during the descent.1