WHERE DOES ALL THE RAISED MONEY GO?
100% of donations help Habitat for Humanity-Spokane continue to make affordable homeownership an attainable dream for low-income families in Spokane County. Habitat for Humanity-Spokane believes EVERYONE deserves a safe, decent, and AFFORDABLE place to call home. Learn more about Habitat-Spokane at https://habitat-spokane.org/about-us/

HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO FUNDRAISE?
$1,000 PER PERSON/RAPPELLER
A non-refundable $50 registration fee reserves ONE fundraising spot for the Habitat Challenge - your registration fee applies toward the $1,000 fundraising minimum every participant must reach to get harnessed up on event day. You have until October 14 to fundraise and submit your donations. Everyone with balances below $1,000 on rappel day will be asked to self-pledge the difference – ensuring that all participants fulfill their $1,000 fundraising commitment. Self-pledges will have 30 additional days to fundraise after the event! The difference will be due on NOVEMBER 13, 2023. All funds and donations received by Habitat for Humanity-Spokane are non-refundable regardless of participation on the event day.

IS IT SAFE?
Completely! Our event partners, Over the Edge (OTE), supply the equipment and expertise for the Habitat Challenge; their technical staff are highly trained, certified industrial ropes specialists. Each event site has a comprehensive Site Inspection & Safety Plan prepared by one of OTE’s senior technical staff. This is Habitat’s third year rappelling off the Bank of America building, and the OTE technical staff is very familiar (and comfortable) with the building. Globally, OTE has a history of over 64,000 descents at 362 buildings with no safety incidents.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Over the Edge uses a unique two-rope system of rigging and harnesses, very similar to that of professional window washers. As a rappeler, you will wear a full-body harness and use an industrial descender. Getting your weight off the roof and into the harness is the hardest part for most people. Once you’re over the edge of the roof, you can breathe easy, knowing that the technicians above and below are there to help and can give you directions over the walkie-talkie attached to your harness. Pulling a handle makes you go down; letting go makes you stop. To a certain extent, you can control your speed. Should you go too fast, or should the equipment fail, the backup device will engage. You can stop to rest or switch hands if you need a break. If you find yourself unable to finish your rappel on your own, a technician can lower you to the ground. Once you’re within 20 feet of the ground, an Over the Edge staff member will assist your landing. 

IS THERE A WEIGHT MINIMUM/MAXIMUM?
Over the Edge's safety standards require that people must be between 100 and 300 lbs in order to safely rappel.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Costumes are encouraged! The harness goes around your legs, waist, and shoulders, so it is best to avoid anything too bulky. Plan to wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Athletic pants, tights, and jeans are suitable. Shirts should be comfortable and without draw cords or embellishments that could get caught. Well-fitting sneakers, light hiking boots, or other closed-toed soft-soled shoes are recommended. No sandals, slip-on shoes, slippers, flip-flops, high heels, or steel-toed boots will be allowed. Long hair should be tied back. You will be required to leave droppable items like keys and cell phones or jewelry at check-in, either with a friend/family member or with the volunteers at check-in.

DO I NEED TO BE AVAILABLE THE WHOLE DAY?
Participants should allow at least a 90-minute window for their rappel. Check-in times are scheduled every half hour from 9am to 4:30pm, with your actual rappel time occurring within a 30 – 75-minute window following registration. For example, if your check-in time is 10:30am, you may rappel anytime between 11am and noon. Rappel spots are assigned in the order fundraising is achieved. Once you raise $750, you will have your pick of available rappel spots.