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Partner pbcowboy77


Oct 22, 2002, 7:01 AM
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self equalizing figure eight
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Does anyone use a "Self Equalizing figure eight knot" at anchors? If so, how well does it work. I know the knot but have not used it on a climb due to the fact that I've only seen it in a book and not in use. Pros and cons would be nice to know.

-Zac


youareon


Oct 22, 2002, 8:55 AM
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The self-equalizing figure eight can be useful for tying into two or three points (depending how you tie it) but has a few drawbacks...
* uses up a fair bit of rope which could come in handy if the next pitch is long
* provides no masterpoint for belaying the second from the anchor
* anchor management is complicated if you plan on leading all the pitches (again no masterpoint)


Partner rrrADAM


Oct 22, 2002, 11:59 AM
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I've used it before.



fishypete


Oct 22, 2002, 12:02 PM
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Another weakness with this system I read about in one of my climbing knots books is that when an anchor point fails, as the newly redundant loop pulls through it can melt a piece of the figure 8.

Probably not going to be significant unless you have really huge loops, but it is useful to know.

I hope it helps,

Fishy.


tradklime


Oct 22, 2002, 4:23 PM
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My opinion, it is most useful when climbing on a single rope and anchoring into 2 or 3 bolts. Other than that there are better methods.


hyhuu


Oct 22, 2002, 6:03 PM
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I've used it for my Grand Teton trip and found it to be very useful. Our criteria for using the rope anchor method were:

1. The climb was well within mine and my partner climbing ability (Self-rescue, belay-escape would be difficult.)

2. We switched lead all the way up.

3. We wanted to save weight to go fast.

Some other points: Single or double ropes have no bearing on the method whatsoever. There is a master point (between each of the loop) that you can use. If you are not comfortable clipping above the knot then just tie a butterfly knot below and use that as a new master point. Problem solves. The point about sheath melting from an anchor point failure, I think, is valid for factor 2 fall.


josher


Oct 22, 2002, 6:19 PM
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Climbing Mag has a how-to using a double boline. They havent updated there site, so sorry , no link. Looked like a quick and easy knot


tradguy


Oct 22, 2002, 10:09 PM
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I'm not 100% sure if this is the same knot Zac is talking about, but go to the bottom of this page:

http://www.utas.edu.au/docs/climbing_club/TUCC/knots/figure8.html

I use this alot when I'm on a route that has a 2 bolt belay anchor - particularly if I want to be more than the length of my daisy chain away from said anchor. The directional figure 8 shown on that same link can be tied just below the main knot, in the end running down to your partner, and you can throw a reverso on it for a quick, easy, auto-locking belay that you could escape from if necessary. (just untie the rope from your harness)

I'm going to be somewhere in the southwest (AZ, or So Cal) over Christmas time, so if I happen to run into you Zac, I can show you what I'm talking about.

As far as benefits - it's fast, easy, requires less extra gear, and allows you to adjust your belay position relative to the anchors for greater distance. For drawbacks - it uses more rope than other options, so if you just finished a 160 ft pitch on a 50 m rope, you're probably not going to be able to use it.


tradklime


Oct 22, 2002, 10:36 PM
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There is another version of this knot that I believe John Long describes in one of his books. I like it better than the one described in the link above because you finish the figure eight and it can equalize 2 or 3 points.

I'll do my best to describe, start with a loosely tied figure 8 on a bite. Take the loop over the top of the knot and thread it through the last part of the knot again. Do not pull it tight, clip into the loop and one of the strands on the other side of the knot. You can clip into both of the strands for three anchor points, however do not clip into the two strands together for the same anchor point because if the anchor for the main loop fails you are no longer really clipped into the knot.

Confused , get the book. A picture is worth a thousand words.

[ This Message was edited by: tradklime on 2002-10-22 15:36 ]


Partner pbcowboy77


Oct 23, 2002, 6:17 AM
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Thanks for the info guys. The book I found it in is "Advanced Rock Climbing" by John Long. For me it was not worth buying, but I did find this knot in it. Iguess I'd better try the knot, it's worth $14.95 plus tax
Just joking... well thanks again, and if theres anymore info keep it comming.

-Zac


buzyrock


Oct 23, 2002, 6:41 AM
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Is it same as what is called "Bunny loop", coz that knot is also self equalizing and can be tied from fig 8


tradguy


Oct 23, 2002, 2:18 PM
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I have heard the knot I was referring to (pictured in the link above) sometimes called "bunny ears". It isn't truly "self-equalizing" though, so I'm not sure it's the same thing you guys are talking about. It is very easy to equalize the knot manually, though, even after you've clipped the bolts/gear. The benefit is that if one of your anchors blows, you don't have to worry about shock loading the rest of the anchor, or about sliding rope friction damaging the rope as was described by someone else above.


orangekyak


Oct 23, 2002, 3:28 PM
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I think I'm missing something here. I'm familiar with the knot but not its utility for making an anchor. And the vastly different opinions in the thread aren't helping my understanding. Could someone please direct me to an online source for more info on using this for anchors? Or at least clarify this thread?

Maybe it is clear and I'm just a schmuck (setting myself up...).

Jeremy


knotrocket


Oct 23, 2002, 5:42 PM
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I believe we are all talking about a Double loop Fig. 8, or I've also heard it called a Canadian Eight. As an anchor knot, two options exist: 1. Making your loops equal and running one to each of your anchors. This will not be self-equalizing, it will be a load-sharing anchor with two legs.
2. This will be harder to explain - Make one of your loops bigger (how big depends on the distance between anchor points) and run only that loop to all of your anchor points. Now, IN BETWEEN each anchor point clip a crab to the rope that forms the big loop and then clip THE SAME CRAB to the SMALLER loop. The trick is getting the BIG loop to be the right size, because you can't just tie it as big as you want. Contrary to someone's post above, if an anchor point fails, you will fall the distance of the slack created in the big loop. If the big loop is tied TOO BIG, this could be enough to blow your remaining anchors. When tied in this fashion, the knot is in theory self-equalizing...


tradguy


Oct 23, 2002, 5:48 PM
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If you didn't see my post above, click THIS LINK and look at the last picture at the bottom of the page. Now imagine it turned over 180 degrees, with each of the loops clipped into one bolt of a 2-bolt anchor, one of the strands coming out of the other end of the knot tied into your harness, and the other strand going down to your second. Basically, you are tying this knot in the climbing rope to anchor yourself to the belay station, and then you can either tie another knot (directional figure 8 from afore mentioned web page) in the strand going down to your second, and use that as the belay point (with a reverso) or the re-direct point (to an ATC on your harness) for belaying, OR you can clip a locking biner through both "bunny ear" loops above the figure 8, and use that similarly for belaying.

Does that make any more sense? I'm trying, really I am. If I had a digital camera, I would set this all up, take a picture, and post it, but alas, I don't.


knotrocket


Oct 23, 2002, 6:48 PM
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when used like tradguy is explaining, as a tie-in point for you as a belayer, I wouldn't think it necessary to use it as an SE anchor system, because you won't be moving around a great deal. That also will eliminate much of the shock load concern in the event of a failure at the bolt/pro point.

Also, when using this knot or any anchor system, try to keep all of your system within a 90 deg. angle or so. As you approach 120 deg., the load on each anchor nears the actual weight on the rope. More than 120, it will be more than the actual load. So lengthen the confluence of your slings/webbing/rope until the angle is right. But with SE anchors, remember that the longer the "legs" are, the farther the fall when one fails...


tradklime


Oct 23, 2002, 8:28 PM
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The knot I tried to explain (and the one that I believe pbcowboy77 was referencing) is used in the same way as the knot that tradguy explained. However, it is self equalizing and can be attached to 3 points (differently than knotrocket described). It does have the problem that in the event of an anchor failure there would be a shock load to the system and nylon rubbing on nylon as it adjusted.

I'll try to find a photo or something to post. As I said before, it really is only beneficial when climbing on a single rope and anchoring to 2 or 3 bolts.


knotrocket


Oct 23, 2002, 8:45 PM
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If it is different than what I described, it'll be new to me, as I haven't heard of a knot in the Fig. 8 family that is self-equalizing at the knot itself. But I'm all about learning new stuff...


rck_climber


Oct 23, 2002, 9:13 PM
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Perhaps rrrADAM will jump in to help on this one, as the only time I've ever seen it employed was by him when we climbed together at the SLC gathering on top of Satan's Corner.

It is distinctly different than what I've seen in that link and as described in the rest of the posts here.

It's similar to an equalizing sliding X if memory serves, but can't remember the ugly details of it all.

Will PM him in hopes he can elaborate on his previous answer.

Mick


slcliffdiver


Oct 23, 2002, 10:28 PM
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tradklime has the right knot though it scares me a bit for hard hits on the anchor. 3 loops might self equalize a bit with a fall 2 will (less friction than with 3) but I don't like the potential for extention and nylon over nylon equilization (rubbing) and a couple of other minor quirks.

I generaly prefer the double loop figure 8 that tradguy posted for 2 points or bowline on a bite for 2 or 3 points depending on the setup. There are a couple of tricks to adjusting a bowline on a bite quickly otherwise it's a pain to equalize maybe that's why I don't here about it much anymore. Hopefully I just didn't miss a memo about there being problems with it. But mostly I'm in love with cordelettes and webolettes.

The equalizing 8 is fast but with the friction in adjusting it I'm guessing I'd be just as fast with cordelettes most of the time but options are good and I'm glad it's in my bag of tricks.

Peace

David


Partner pbcowboy77


Oct 23, 2002, 10:37 PM
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The knot I was talking about has three loops but you can use 2, the knot tradguy only has two. I don't know if that helps.

-zac


slcliffdiver


Oct 23, 2002, 10:49 PM
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Right tradklimers knot has 3 loops can colapse to 2 tradguys has 2 but isn't truely self equalizing a good thing in my book. I don't particularly want a rope equalizing over itself (nylon over nylon).

tradklimers is the knot I learned as the equalizing 8, not tradguys his is the double loop 8. Useful for equalizing (between 2 points) but not self equaling. Confusing?

[ This Message was edited by: slcliffdiver on 2002-10-23 15:55 ]


knotrocket


Oct 23, 2002, 10:57 PM
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EDIT: I just saw your edit cliffdiver, so this ISN'T the knot in the link, the doub. loop fig. 8? One of you guys surely has a digital cam.?!?! Where's our visual aid?


Maybe I'm wrong (not entirely outside the realm of possibility), but I think we might be experiencing some semantic difficulty. The actual KNOT itself, the double-loop-fig-of-8 IS NOT in and of itself a self-equalizing knot. It can be used to create a self-equalizing anchor system. If everyone is using the knot at the bottom of I believe tradguy's link, this is the knot I'm referring to. You can only use this knot to create said system by tying TWO loops of vastly different size. How many "legs" you create is irrelevant. You can add legs ad infinitum, it is only a function of how many anchor points you have, but with increased # of points comes an increase in the friction of the rope against all the crabs. This will make it harder for the system to equalize the load without someone helping it along.

There has been talk of nylon-nylon friction. Where? Using that knot (2-loop fig 8, with diff size loops) there won't be any! No gross movement of rope will occur inside the knot.

Again, if I am wrong, someone please tell me. I dig knots and anchors and that type bidness, so if there is some pimp new way to do things I'd like to know it, for my mental toolkit.


[ This Message was edited by: knotrocket on 2002-10-23 16:04 ]


slcliffdiver


Oct 23, 2002, 11:09 PM
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Do I write horribly? I agree tradguys knot no nylon over nylon friction, tradklimers potential nylon over nylon friction when it self equalizes. Maybe it's because the names are similar, tradguy, tradclimber one of you want to change names

Sorry no digi cam. But think really simple (hard to desribe though). I'll try a slightly different take on tradklimes discription to see if that helps. I'm writting this so you can see it equalizes by sliding over the top part, I'd really wait at least for a pic before trying it for real going the wrong way and clipping the wrong loops could be very, very bad.

Tie a figure eight on a bite loosly, leave a long loop coming out of the figure 8, take the end of the loop and shove it through the hole in the eight it last came out of. Don't double back go through the hole the opposite direction as for the first part of the double loop 8. If you pull on the loop all the way and the 8 dissolves you went the wrong way. The loops you clip are the loop pulled through the hole and one or two of the section of that loop still on the other side of the hole.

That sounds aweful even to me but it's the best I can do. Think of the simplist thing you can do with the loop going through the main knot.

Peace

David

[ This Message was edited by: slcliffdiver on 2002-10-23 17:06 ]

[ This Message was edited by: slcliffdiver on 2002-10-23 17:14 ]


knotrocket


Oct 24, 2002, 2:19 AM
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Believe it or not, that is a fairly good explanation. I can picture the knot pretty well. I'm gonna play around with it tomorrow. 'PRECIATE IT!
Zach


tradguy


Oct 24, 2002, 1:53 PM
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Umm... it was suggested at the gathering in AZ recently that I should change my name to something like "master-marshmallow-roaster-guy", or perhaps "marshmallowman", or maybe just "staypuft", due to my mad skills at roasting the 'mallow.

Anyway, based on that last description, and using a chunk of cord I keep around for practicing knots, I believe I have created the "self-equalizing" knot described. To be sure, if you pull on the middle loop only, the two side loops will cinch down across the top of the figure-8, right? This is definitely different than what I was describing. Playing around with it, it seems kind of cool, but like others have stated, I'm a bit concerned about the friction created in the knot as the rope slides and equalizes. Also, I'm noticing that when I weight this knot, it doesn't seem to equalize very well as I move from side to side, due to the tightening of the knot and the increased friction that creates. Certainly not like a cordelette, or a sewn runner.

To add to the discussion, the knot I described earlier is NOT self-equalizing. I realized this, but because it is very quick and easy to manually equalize, I thought that was maybe what you were talking about. One other thing about the knot I described is that it can be tied for a 3-point anchor also, but requires one more intermediate step. It's actually really cool and handy. Of course, that still wouldn't be truly "self-equalizing".

Clear as mud??

[ This Message was edited by: tradguy on 2002-10-24 06:54 ]


Partner rrrADAM


Oct 24, 2002, 2:30 PM
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There is only one way to correctly make this knot, I'll try to verbally explain it...


Tie a loose double 8 on a bite opf rope, ending with 4-6 feet of loop. Pass this loop around and through knot at point where loop comes out, do not pull tight. You end up with 3 loops that can be clipped to anchors, and will self equalize. (Note-You can also use 2 loops to one anchor, and 1 to another for a two anchor system.)

This should be used with BOMBER Pro, as it will shock load pro if one fails. It's main use is for building an anchor to belay from while on multi-pitch climbing, and does NOT prequire belaying off the harness, as you can use a locker to attach any piece to the system, and if it fails, it is still in the system backed up by the others. (I personally like to belay off my harness with a directional above me so if the climber falls, it pulls up on the rope.) This saves on the need for cordolette, if you want to travel light while doing multi-pitch, as 2 are needed for each belay (top and bottom of pitches.) Also, clipping into any loop as a "hot point" is OK, as redundancey is built into this system.

If the 2nd is boing to rebelay the 1rst on the next pitch, just clip into system with teathers, untie and switch ends. (No need to mess with reflaking the rope.)

It can also be used for single line rappels, as this was how it was used when I was climbing with 'rck_climber' in SLC, or for rigging systems used to take photos from above.


I'll tie knot, and scan into Gallery, and link to this thread to show a visual of this knot.


Partner rrrADAM


Oct 24, 2002, 2:36 PM
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This is close, but not the correct way to tie this knot...




There is no redundancey in this knot. Instead of making a "bow tie", pass entire end of loop around and through half way to make 3 seperate loops.


Partner pbcowboy77


Oct 25, 2002, 6:46 AM
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Well that's the one I was talking about. So good or bad? Back to the question.

-Zac


slcliffdiver


Oct 25, 2002, 12:54 PM
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Rrradam you generally give really good advice but clipping into one loop is a big mistake. Clipping anything of significant weight into a self equalizing arm is generally a mistake. Clipping yourself doubly so. The loop you weight will grow and the others will shrink and cinch up if you’re unlucky you could dislodge a lower piece or two if you clip into one of the loops of a higher piece and weight it. Maybe you’re thinking about a bowline on a bite.

For some single line raps it sounds like a cool solution hadn’t thought of that before thanks.

Tradguy, staypuft?;) sound like you got it. Have fun;)


Damn 4 (correct) descriptions for one of the simplest knots to tie. Seems a pic is worth about 1000 words;) Okay I do think rrradam improved upon my attempt but it’s still funny.


pbcowboy77 a little more of my take on it and another knot that has similar benifits with fewer warts in my opinion (big caveate if used correctly).

For the equalizing 8 you always need to clip the single loop that gets fed through. Also if the piece blows that’s connected to the single loop fed through and you’re hooked into 3 pieces total you’re relying on the biner or pro that pulled jamming in the knot to prevent the loop from pulling through and prevent potentially massive extension and loading only on the upper piece.

Edit Delete Praising Bowline on a bite:
I forgot that someone showed me that one of the loops can pull shut (friction) if the knot is dressed a certain way? and the wrong line coming out of the knot loading the anchor and I don't remember how to fix it? Maybe I'll stay quiet about anything I haven't used in the last 4-5 years. My memory is doing the Alzhiemers sieve thing I can remember the cool tricks I was shown over a decade age but forgot for a bit more recent info 5 years.

Peace

David



Peace

David

[ This Message was edited by: slcliffdiver on 2002-10-25 06:45 ]


Partner rrrADAM


Oct 25, 2002, 3:22 PM
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Good point, better to tie a "cows tail" or hot point loop between the 8 and you for teathers, but any loop is still redundant.


jstreet


Oct 25, 2002, 4:44 PM
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Out of "knots for Climber" by Craig Luebben



orangekyak


Oct 25, 2002, 4:56 PM
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jstreet that's a great illustration but isn't that a different technique than we've been talking about?


tradklime


Oct 25, 2002, 5:06 PM
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self equalizing figure eight [In reply to]
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The knot on the left was the one I was referring to. However, I disagree with how it is shown clipped into two anchors. The biner on the right is clipped into both strands. In the event of failure of the anchor on the left, the only thing maintaining the loop on the right is the biner clipped on the left loop preventing the loop from being pulled through the knot. It will most likely work but...

Better to clip only one of the two strands. This way the other strand will be pulled through and the slack is taken up in the two remaining loops. In this way both biners are actually clipped into the knot itself.

Ragardless, it still has the issues discussed previously and in my opinion only useful when climbing on a single rope and clipping into bomber bolts.

The knot on the right uses an additional locker that is unnecessary. If you have three anchor points, just use the knot on the left and clip into the three loops separately.

[ This Message was edited by: tradklime on 2002-10-25 10:09 ]


Partner rrrADAM


Oct 25, 2002, 7:21 PM
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self equalizing figure eight [In reply to]
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The knots above are the correct self equalizing knots I was reffering to.

And the use of the locker in the middle can be a "hot point" for subsequent climbers to clip into, as well as protecting from the "nylon-nylon" friction if a piece fails. (therefore the locker is not "unnecesary" but even a better way.)

Also, when I learned the knot, I was told to "collapse" one of the doubles to make a two point anchor. (just as the above reply says to do.)


I also found this image (knot on left) of the same knot (in the middle) used in a very elaberate system. But the knot in the iamage above is much less confusing, good find.




[ This Message was edited by: rrradam on 2002-10-25 12:29 ]


jstreet


Oct 25, 2002, 7:42 PM
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self equalizing figure eight [In reply to]
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You're right tradklime, this system should not be used as shown in the picture on the left. It is a sure way to die if the one anchor breaks. You are only suppose to clip one of the loops.



[ This Message was edited by: jstreet on 2002-10-25 12:46 ]


tradklime


Oct 25, 2002, 7:44 PM
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self equalizing figure eight [In reply to]
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rrradam, I stand corrected, good points about the knot on the right. Also, after thinking, it seems like it may even be just a touch easier to set up.

[ This Message was edited by: tradklime on 2002-10-25 12:47 ]


punk


Oct 25, 2002, 8:26 PM
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I just think that this will be the preferred method since it is easier to rig


knotrocket


Oct 25, 2002, 8:42 PM
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self equalizing figure eight [In reply to]
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I learned sumthin' new. Bitchin' A.


Partner pbcowboy77


Oct 26, 2002, 12:08 AM
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self equalizing figure eight [In reply to]
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All good pics thanks for the beta on this.

-Zac


jt512


Oct 26, 2002, 3:52 PM
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self equalizing figure eight [In reply to]
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The knot on the right in Jstreet's post also looks like a death knot. If the right anchor point fails, the remaining two points will be shock loaded and the right loop could be pulled through the master biner and the biners on the other two anchor points. This knot seems to have the same disadvantage as the sliding X (shock loading) without the advantage (redundancy).

If you like the idea of rigging an anchor with just the rope, use a bowline, which won't shock load the anchor if one anchor point fails.

-Jay

[ This Message was edited by: jt512 on 2002-10-26 09:11 ]


biff


Oct 26, 2002, 4:43 PM
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self equalizing figure eight [In reply to]
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the knot on the right does have redundancy .. if the gear on the right loop fails, and the biner pulls through the biner in the middle of the knot, the rope will not pull through the other two biners, but they will be shock loaded, witch is bad.



beyond_gravity


Oct 26, 2002, 4:47 PM
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isn't it impossible to have a self-equalising knot that wont shock load the anchor if one point fails?


jt512


Oct 26, 2002, 5:50 PM
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Quote:...if the gear on the right loop fails, and the biner pulls through the biner in the middle of the knot, the rope will not pull through the other two biners...

Can you guarantee that?

Are you absolutely sure that you would always remember to use a large enough biner on the right? What if you were freezing cold? What if it was dark? What if both?

Even if you did use a large biner. Are you sure this rig would withstand a factor 2 fall? If the right anchor point failed and the right biner was pulled through the master biner, imagine how the left biner would be impacted. What is the strength of the biner when it is loaded like that!?

-Jay


punk


Oct 26, 2002, 5:55 PM
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Quote:
isn't it impossible to have a self-equalising knot that wont shock load the anchor if one point fails?

Its totally possible just refer to my earlier post


slcliffdiver


Oct 26, 2002, 9:00 PM
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After you add the clove hitches it isn't self equalizing anymore (though most of the time I'd prefer no extension to self equalization).

Edit: BTW thanks for the cool link and cool looking knot I'll have to play with it.

It however possible to drastically reduce possible extension for the likely range load on the anchors most of the time and still have equalization.

It's easy to test the lowest amount of extension you can have for any range of angles of pull you want and a given anchor configuration. You just slide the biner around the range you want and if you wanted to take the time with certain configuration you could put a knot just on either side and the distance between the knots is the least possible extension you can guaranty for that system.

I'm not saying this is the best practice most of the time it just shows minimum possible extension with self equalization and every once in a while comes in useful equalizing a couple of pieces.

Peace

David


[ This Message was edited by: slcliffdiver on 2002-10-26 14:26 ]


punk


Oct 26, 2002, 11:06 PM
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Ok,
The way to do it is to adjust it to the anticipated pull direction in the self equalizing manner once u set is then apply the clove hitch at the biner and if u need more adjustments the apply them and readjust the clove accordingly …Yes it is not auto adjust knot but it is very close second without the potentially harmful shock load


tradguy


Oct 28, 2002, 7:43 PM
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Ok, so this weekend I was out at the Red River Gorge and climbed a trad route that had 3 anchor bolts on top. As a test, I tied the "self-equalizing" figure 8 that we've been discussion (as shown on the left in jstreet's photo, but clipping all 3 points rather than just 2). I then weighted the system with my body weight, and brought up my second. It was easy to tie and easy to adjust originally, but once weighted, the tightness of the knot on the loops held them in place, preventing any re-equalization when the angles were changed. With a strong enough force at an off angle, the rope might shift through the knot, but it seemed to me that greater force would just tighten the knot down more, and prevent any slippage. This was all done using my friends Maxim rope, which has some sort of special tweed finish to the sheath that gives it a very smooth (almost slick) feel, so if it didn't slide with that rope, I don't think it would slide with any.

After the little test, it seems to me that it is a reasonable knot to use for a quick setup with 3 anchor points. However, I would still prefer the "bunny ears" that I pointed out at the beginning of this thread for a 2 point anchor.


coclimber26


Oct 31, 2002, 11:24 PM
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The version that I know is tying a figure 8 with a large bite(1 foot). after you have an 8 then feed the bite back through the lower part of the 8. You should have 3 loops now. You can attach your pro to these loops and when you move your anchor point left and right it should self equalize..


tradguy


Nov 1, 2002, 1:31 PM
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Quote:Tradguy, what route at RRG?
Specifically, this was done on Party Time, a 140' 5.7 trad route on the right end of The Fortress. Really cool route, by the way.

Quote:And since we're on the subject, but unfortunately off-topic, why are so many routes at the Red considered X?
I guess I hadn't really noticed a high concentration of X's, but there are plenty of R's, which I attribute to the fact that many of the trad or hybrid routes have some face sections that don't take pro and lack bolts. Cool climbs, but can be intimidating. A prime example is American Wall (also on the Fortress) - it's only rated 5.3, but it's scary as hell on lead near the beginning.

Quote:Back on-topic: where did you belay from? Off your harness, or off the knot? I tied a directional figure 8 in the rope tail that hung down to my second, about 4" below the "self-equalizing" figure 8 that was clipped to the anchors, and belayed off that using a reverso. See my link previously in this thread for a picture (upside down - I tied it for downward pull) and info on the directional figure 8. Or click HERE.

[ This Message was edited by: tradguy on 2002-11-01 05:37 ]


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