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andykirkpatrick
Apr 19, 2006, 7:46 AM
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After reading rockermike's post about soloing a wall over on supertopo, I thought I'd pen something about retreating (wow ain't I Mr positive!!!). After all there's not much info on this out there, and it seems when it happens you often have to learn first hand. Maybe this will make things easier!
By the way this is only my view, and I'm sure there a lots of people who are bigger failures would can add alot to this article (I'm happy to include them).
http://www.psychovertical.com/?escapewall
Cheers
Andy
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treez
Apr 19, 2006, 8:01 AM
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Cool site. Be sure to check out the remote screw removal trick. Clever.
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euroford
Apr 19, 2006, 12:03 PM
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nice site andy, my company has paid me allot of good money to read through it.
i appreciate the bail tips, i plan to put them to good use this summer.
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dynamo_
Apr 19, 2006, 1:52 PM
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In reply to: nice site andy, my company has paid me allot of good money to read through it. ...
:lol: Indeed.
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ddoucet
Apr 19, 2006, 2:29 PM
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I've always been skeptical of that retrievable ice screw trick. Screws often re-freeze in their holes. It seems unlikely that this would work in any conditions where the screw was actually reliable. Has anyone actually gotten it to work?
I'm also not sure why I wouldn't just thread if I have the perlon to wrap around the screw, which is needed for this trick in the first place. I suppose if I had no hook to make the thread, as Andy says, but still..
-Derek
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andykirkpatrick
Apr 19, 2006, 4:50 PM
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Hi
I've used it quite a few times - mainly when I was short of cord (and didn't want to thread my ropes through an ice thread). And yes it worked every time (needs to be a quality long screw though).
Andy
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kimgraves
Apr 19, 2006, 5:13 PM
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Hi Andy,
Great article as usual. It would be helpful if you could/would add a picture or drawing showing the configuration for rapping with the haul bag.
Also, spell check, buddy! :wink:
Best, Kim
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andykirkpatrick
Apr 19, 2006, 9:23 PM
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Cheers Kim, pictures added, and spellings (well some) corrected.
Cheers
Andy
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ddoucet
Apr 20, 2006, 2:10 PM
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In reply to: Hi I've used it quite a few times - mainly when I was short of cord (and didn't want to thread my ropes through an ice thread). And yes it worked every time (needs to be a quality long screw though). Andy
That's wild. Intuitively it just sounds like it wouldn't work. Great to hear it actually does. One more trick to put in the quiver! Thanks.
-Derek
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kimgraves
Apr 20, 2006, 2:35 PM
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Hi Andy,
Thanks for the diagram. I have a question regarding the rappel backup configuration when rapping with a bag.
Then I rappel, I backup using a Shunt off my belay loop and then rap off a descender extended above the Shunt so the two don't interfere with each other. I realized yesterday that with the bags attached to the descender if the backup engaged, they would still keep going. Their weight would continue down the rope until the descender hit the backup. (Who knows what happens then).
So I took another look at your diagram and saw that you've attached the backup to the bags instead of to the climber. Won't you have the same problem but in reverse - the weight of the climber will continue to descend until the descender hit the backup knot.
I always learned that you should suspend the bags off your belay loop and then rap as normal. But I liked your way better because the climber is not so tethered to the bags and so can manage them better.
I assume I'm just confused - as usual. Can you clarify?
Thanks, Kim
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andykirkpatrick
Apr 20, 2006, 2:47 PM
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Hi Kim
I can't quite work out what you mean. With a prusik ("Klemheist/AutoBlock)on either the climber or the belayer (atached to both ropes below the device and rigged so that it won't be blocked by the device) the whole lot should stop if the climber lets go (if you have tons of weight then then there is a chance it could slip, which is why then you should use two belay plastes/prusiks.
Does that make any sence?
ANdy
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ricardol
Apr 20, 2006, 3:29 PM
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Kim ..
.. the heaviest load i've rapped with is about 120+ lbs .. (give or take ..)
thank god it was not a free hanging rappel .. but what worked very well for me was...
the load was 2 haulbags. -- tie them together using and upside down Y .. the at the main point, attach a grigri, put the load on rappel.
then with a daisy attach myself to the load (at the main point).
i could use the grigri to control the descent.and use my feet to kick the bags as i descended.. (brought much pleasure).
.. it was all going well until i had to pass a knot..
andy's site describes how to do the above using standard belay plates (or atc's) .. since the load is heavy you can use 2 atc's in series to make your rapelling job manageable.
.. you then put a prussik backup on the line before it enters the 1st atc so that you can be safe with such a heavy load.
the prussik backup can also be added when you use a grigri.
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kimgraves
Apr 20, 2006, 3:48 PM
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Hi Andy,
Sorry I wasn't clear. I'm just now having my morning coffee.
http://www.rockclimbing.com/...p.cgi?Detailed=72435
So here is the climber and the bag suspended from the descender with the climber backed up.
http://www.rockclimbing.com/...p.cgi?Detailed=72436
If the backup locks, won't the bags continue to come down (it's not locked by the backup) causing a real clusterbugger - (Did I use "bugger" correctly there?) :roll:
http://www.rockclimbing.com/...p.cgi?Detailed=72437
Alternately if the bag is backed up won't the climber continue to decend?
As I write this I guess that the weight of the climber (or bag) would essentially act as a fireman's belay stopping all movement. So maybe I've answered my own question. But I guess you'd have to be careful about releasing the weight - e.g. stepping onto a ledge.
Thoughts?
Best, Kim
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andykirkpatrick
Apr 20, 2006, 3:58 PM
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If this was the case then the belayer wouldn't be able to hold onto the rope anyhow! Plus I think if the bag was THAT heavy the ropes would probably snap!
The main aim is to be able to move the bags (which may be big), more easily, and you're kind of riding down on the bag, rather than the bag riding you!
Using a gri gri is OK, but they do get very hot under a big load (more so then two chunky HMS crabs and a belay plate).
Like all this stuff it's just a case of learning as much as possible, then appliying what you can when you can.
Cheers
Andy
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kimgraves
Apr 20, 2006, 4:15 PM
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In days of old when dinosaurs roamed the earth we put more friction in the system in this way.
http://www.rockclimbing.com/...p.cgi?Detailed=72440
I once lowered myself with a injured climber in a Stokes with this rig. Probably a total of 400 lbs.
Best, Kim
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holdplease2
Apr 21, 2006, 11:43 AM
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Last year I rapped 18 pitches of El Cap, Solo with about 140 lbs. It took two days. (couldn't ditch food, took water down/energy drinks/fun stuff for nose climbers)
Here's what I learned:
ATC Complications: When bailing, you have plenty of penjis/reaches to do. Rapping with ATC-only friction can get dangerous fast if you take the pigs down the pitch with you your first trip down the line. Be very careful if you are doing this, and add friction to the system with another ATC or twists around a biner below the ATC. You may be hating yourself if you add friction with a munter, the last thing you need is twists in your line when you are trying to bail/pull thru anchors, etc.
There are perfectly safe ways to rap with an ATC, I'm not saying its a bad idea, just that I prefer another way...and that one should be aware of the complexities of using one in this particular situation.
GriGri and Heavy Loads: When using a grigri to rap with a particularly heavy load, the handle becomes quite difficult to release, and points almost straight up in when weighted in the cammed position. Also, it heats up very quickly, glazing your rope.
The combined glazing of the rope (If you are so unlucky) and the strange loads on the grigri can result in a very jerky descent. If you are rapping a dynamic line, it can become pretty scary and maybe dangerous quickly. If your ropes are rubbing on an edge, wow, no good.
Additional Friction: You can add extra friction to this system by positioning an ATC on that line below the grigri, after extending the grigri with REDUNDANT slings.
Reaching the Next Station: If your pigs weigh more than maybe 70 pounds, you will find that if you rap with them without your line connected to the next anchor first, you may be in trouble. It is very hard to "penji" to a station with a heavy load. You may have to rap the pitch first, fix your line with some slack in it, jumar up, and then rap with the pigs, using jumars to pull yourself to the station when you beocme horizontal with it.
There are ways to do this without rapping the pitch first if you have to move sideways with a heavy pig, but if you can't figure it out on your own, its probably too dangerous to try.
"Riding the Pigs" Riding the pigs as described above, where the pigs are on rappel and you are clipped to the pigs, redundantly, is key.
Managing the Rope: In high winds, like on El Cap sometimes, just feeding your ropes thru the rings and letting them float in the wind is not a good idea. Control your ropes with rope bags clipped to your pigs as you rap. Stay tied/clipped into the ends as you rap for backup.
Down Aiding - Setting up your fly pole as a "stick clip" can eliminate some down aiding and suffering, as you can use it to hook fixed gear and bolts when your plum line is taking you out too far from the wall or too far to the side of the station that you are trying to reach.
The key is: Don't Bail. Seriously. Bailing is often as hard as climbing, specially if you are solo, and on many routes, may be harder/more dangerous than actually climbing them as long as the weather is stable.
Andy's Article: This is a fine article with great illustrations. With so many ways to do things, we won't always agree. Here's a few points where Andy and I differ...
In the section with the prussik below the ATC...if you weight the prussick, as it is shown attached to a pig...and that pig weighs alot, good luck. It will not be fun using your knife that close to your lifeline, and that will likely be your only choice.
Also, three docking cords are, IMO not necessary, time consuming, and confusing which can be bad especially if your weather is deteriorating. . Connect all your pigs to one powerpoint and add one docking cord to that.
Ditching your stuff: Sure, ditch the unnecessaries. (This probably would not include survival gear.) But if your ropes get stuck, you are slower than you think (don't be surprised) you willl want more of your stuff than you might otherwise...don't ditch rain gear/warm gear and keep the ledge rather than kill someone when it lands on them at the base.
Finally: Please DO NOT cut your bags loose unless your only other choice is to die. On today's crowded routes with crowded bases, your lack of ability should not be compensated for in this way. You would stand a chance of killing someone.
But he is right, always always always have your knife on your person. It can be a great problem solver on a wall.
Hope this helps.
-Kate.
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andykirkpatrick
Apr 21, 2006, 12:19 PM
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Thanks for the feedback Kate - I hope you don't mind but I added it too the article on my site.
Yes I agree with all your points, and I think ref the docking cords I think one cord on the sling would be best, although for some reason I ended up using the other system on the TRoll; I'll have to think about why that was?
For more control over a belay device look at: http://www.psychovertical.com/?increasingcontrol and yes I'm not a big fan of Gri Gris for big or small loads. The first time I rapped with a gri gri it was with a huge load down an old fixed line. Totally committed on a free hanging section I saw to my horror the core was hanging out of the rope below me. I didn't think I could tie off the damage and pass the knot, so thought's I'd just zipp past as fast as I could (hoping that the core was still OK). What actually happened was as I shot down the core got caught on the handle of the gri gri and I stopped dead. My only option (gulp) was to cut the strands of core and carry on down!!!!! Must add this was a LONG time ago, and I'd hope I'd come up with a better plan next time.
By the way was it you who rapped of Tribal Rite?
Cheers
Andy
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andykirkpatrick
Apr 21, 2006, 12:22 PM
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One other thing - if you use a autoblock prussik (Kleimhest) you can realesae it easily - unless the bags are REALLY heavy. If doupt you could attach it to the bags with a tie-off munter hitch, so you could realaese them that way.
Oh yes and never clip all your empty waterbottles to the bottom of the bag as they are garenteed to catch everything!
andy
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holdplease2
Apr 21, 2006, 12:25 PM
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Hi Andy:
Yeah, that was me. :oops: :) But I learned so much and had such a great time on the deck when I got there that it was probably better than summiting in this case, though it sucked at the time.
Re: The Gri Gri vs ATC - Its a totally personal thing. I'm just so used to a grigri from soloing that I prefer it, I even squirm rapping sport routes with my ATC. NOT that I'd ever get to the top of one, of course. ;)
-Kate.
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andykirkpatrick
Apr 21, 2006, 12:33 PM
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A Scottish mate of mine met you on the way down (handsome bearded Scotsman called Sandy - who also designed the biggest shit pump in the world ((it's in Turkey)).
Did you go back and solo something else?
I haven't been to Yosemite for 4 years, and I can't wait to get back on something.
ANdy
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holdplease2
Apr 21, 2006, 12:47 PM
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I remember Sandy! That's awesome. I met some of the nicest people on the Nose. And every darn one of them was good looking!
I think there is a "you must be a hottie to proceed" kiosk around the base of the tripple cracks.
It was already mid-October, too late to try a long solo again if you're as slow as I am. Most importantly, after whipping like that I didn't feel like aid climbing for awhile. In fact, I still don't feel like it.
;)
-Kate.
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kimgraves
Apr 21, 2006, 1:14 PM
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In reply to: The key is: Don't Bail. Seriously. Bailing is often as hard as climbing, specially if you are solo, and on many routes, may be harder/more dangerous than actually climbing them as long as the weather is stable. -Kate.
Hi Kate,
Has your thinking changed about whether it was the right thing to do to bail - the "phantom fear" being a clear and present danger? Seemed right to me.
Best, Kim
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holdplease2
Apr 21, 2006, 1:49 PM
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Hi Kim:
Of course, I've thought alot about this.
Well, the source fear was a little irrational (like I said to you before) as I had already climbed the supposed crux (A4 by the topo, prolly A3) and am in the 20s as far as pitches at the difficulty of the remaing routes goes (A3/C3, maybe alittle harder). 18 down, 9 to go.
But my response to the situation, fear, was still there and still impacting my climbing. And by being afraid, I would have climbed less well than usual, not stepping high and climbing fearfully.
That would likely have been enough to have put the route beyond my ability at the time.
Of course, if you see the warning flags and Still make an error that could have been avoided and could have killed you, well, maybe you're in over your head in the first place? Somthing to think about. ;)
Also if you take one fall, don't get hurt, and still have to bail, maybe it means you didn't have the reserves to deal with adversity.
If this is the case, you were climbing at your limit, with nothing to spare when things go wrong. This activity is for alpinists and hardmen/women. Running into this situation you end up in that category or the other. I am happy in the 'other' category, that's how I know so much about rapelling. ;)
I learned a little about what happens to normal people when you are climbing at your psychological limit and something kind of big goes wrong. The people who don't turn around at that point are my heros, and some of my heros are dead.
Wall climbing is a matter of judgement...and the best place to use your best judgement is on the ground before you ever start climbing. I hope I can decide on the ground to climb with something to spare in the future, but its hard to tell when you're on the ground looking up how tall you stand beside a mountain. (El Cap's not a mountain, but that sounded better)
I'd appoloigize for thread drift, but I think that, for me anyway, the above psychological aspect of bailing is almost as relavent as the technical aspects...
-Kate.
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kimgraves
Apr 21, 2006, 3:25 PM
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In reply to: Also if you take one fall, don't get hurt, and still have to bail, maybe it means you didn't have the reserves to deal with adversity. If this is the case, you were climbing at your limit, with nothing to spare when things go wrong. This activity is for alpinists and hardmen/women. Running into this situation you end up in that category or the other. I learned a little about what happens to normal people when you are climbing at your psychological limit and something kind of big goes wrong. The people who don't turn around at that point are my heroes, and some of my heroes are dead. Wall climbing is a matter of judgement... the above psychological aspect of bailing is almost as relevant as the technical aspects... -Kate.
Kate,
To a lesser degree, I too came across this situation on Washington this winter - where I was operating at 90% and knew if I continued my reserve would be gone and it would be questionable if I could get myself out. So I bailed. The mountain isn't going anywhere - I'll climb another day.
Would your or my continuing make us "hero's?" I'm thinking, of course, of Tomaz Humar who had to be rescued off of the Rupal Face last year putting all the rescuers at risk. He knew conditions were bad when he started, and yet he went anyway. It seems to me that you're the hero for getting yourself out and not endangering anyone else while doing it.
I agree that the physiological maturity to make sound judgements is the really interesting question. Maybe we can get Andy (and others) to chime in with their thoughts.
Best, Kim
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climbingcowboy
Apr 22, 2006, 1:22 AM
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Thanks for this topic as only having done one wall so far, the whole rapping with pigs scares the crap out of me.
I've practised it but always wondered if I was doing it right. When we rapped with a pig (only 3 pitches SFWC) my brother lowered the pig via our static line, and I rapped the dynamic line via grigri that we fixed to the anchors so I could move the pig around. Granted it was a light load, is this how you guys do it when theres two of you?
When I've pracitsed solo rapping I've always rode the pig, is there ever a time when it's better to attach it to your belay loop?
Thanks Geoff
p.s. if any of you want to drag a rookie up a rock theres always me. :wink:
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holdplease2
Apr 22, 2006, 2:04 PM
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Hi Geoff:
Do check Andy's web site, as in the rest of it, it has some great stuff. 'Specially the illustrations.
It sounds like you and your bro did a good job with problem solving, which is cool. I can't tell from your post if he lowered the bag and you "guided" it while you were rapping, or if he lowered it later, down to you.
However, if the route was wandering a bit, it might have been hard, either way, to get the pig to the station by lowering it without a person attached. I bailed off of a wall with a partner and a only moderately heavy pig, but here's what we did:
Partner 1: Rapped the lines first, located the station, swung into it and fixed the lines...not too tight.
Partner 2: Rapped with the pigs "riding the pigs" with a docking cord ready, as shown in Mr. Kirkpatrics illustrations. Then either swung themselves into the station with a penji or was pulled into the station by the partner if the bag made the swing too hard without help.
Partner 2: Docks the pigs and partner 1 pulls the ropes (with one end already thru the lower station) to get ready for the next raps.
This does 3 things:
1) Allows one partner to search for/reach the station without worrying about getting screwed up by the pig.
2) Allows the partner with the pig to focus on the pig and know that the station was already found AND that the end of both lines was fixed.
3) Provides "muscle help" for the partner with the heavy load to reach the station if needed.
Hope this helps,
-Kate.
PS - Nice, PMYCHE! Too Many Silverfish! Its the only one on the list I haven't seriously considered at least once... ;)
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climbingcowboy
Apr 23, 2006, 2:49 AM
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Thanks Kate thanks makes sense. I was guiding the pig as he was lowering it. I think this would work better then way you metioned on this route (SFWC) just do to it being so low angled and all the ledges and flakes on it, but what you said deffintely is a better choice on steper stuff.
I'm still not sure why anyone would not ride the pig down but would rather hook the pig to you. At first I was thinking if it was low angled and you attached the pig to you it would be lower then you making it easier to control, but isnt the easily fixed by just putting a longer webbing to the pig. It just seems more comfortable and safer to have the pig hooked to the rappel device. Help me out here till I can get out and mess around again with this stuff.
Geoff
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holdplease2
Apr 23, 2006, 3:20 AM
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Howdy Mr. Cowboy:
If the pig isn't super heavy, sometimes I do clip it to my belay loop (small pig from push routes or fix/fire routes down rapel routes. This is usually more of a backpack-sized pig.
Plus, you can put the pig on belay and have its full weight on the line, so you know your system is bomber before you put your own body on it. This is reassuring if rapping with all that weight is already scaring you a bit.
In general, I find that I sometimes want to move around, and being able to move relative to the pig can be a good thing. TI attach to the pig/belay device with full length daisies for some degree of movement, but shorten them up for the "ride"
I can't really explain it in more detail than that, maybe someone else can. Hope this helps, tho. :)
-Kate.
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climbingcowboy
Apr 23, 2006, 5:09 AM
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makes sense thanks Kate. Its funny how much I've practised this stuff but never thought about asking these simple questions. At least I was doing it right, and made it back around to ask them. :roll:
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lambone
Apr 24, 2006, 6:25 AM
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In reply to: The key is: Don't Bail. Seriously. Bailing is often as hard as climbing, specially if you are solo, and on many routes, may be harder/more dangerous than actually climbing them as long as the weather is stable.
tell that to the Japanesse folks.
actually, perhaps if they had bailed they be here to tell the story. rip
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lambone
Apr 24, 2006, 7:02 AM
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I don't agree with Kate that it's not a good idea to use a kliemheist autoblock back-up below the ATC. I disagree that it will get so tight that you have to cut it...if you do it properly at least. better to have a back-up.
most of the diagrams being shown show the bag connected to the rap-device biner with a sling.
I am a fan of connecting the bags to the belay device biner with a munter-mule load release knot in a long cordellete. backed up with a daisy or something of course. That way you can release the bags from the belay/rappel device at any time if you had to, perhaps onto an anchor, without lifting them off your device with muscle.
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mikeehartley
Apr 24, 2006, 2:21 PM
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Here's something I've thought of to (hopefully) simplify retreating with a pig - but I haven't actually tried it yet. It could be modified to work with a pig(s) that weigh more than you but ideally they are equal to or less than you. The crux will be trying to explain it without a picture...
Run your first rope through the rap anchor (must be a ring/biner and not just loose webbing) and tie a big ole knot and connect to top of pig with a couple of biners. Tie your second rope securely to the bottom of the pig. Keep the tails of both ropes connected to you. Set up your rap device on the first rope, weight it, and unclip the bag so that it is now supported by your weight. Rap to the next anchor. As long as you don't un-weight the rope you should have the freedom to penji if needed. Once at the next anchor lower the bag using your device, which you never removed from the rope, and guide piggy to you with the second rope. Secure pig and pull ropes.
Seems like this method would allow you to rap sans pig, be maneuverable, and not require re-jugging (aurgh!) the rope.
Whatcha think?
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mr8615
Apr 24, 2006, 2:40 PM
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Mike,
Sounds like it would work, assuming that you can make the rap with a single rope or effectively pass knots (sketchy sometimes). It would also assume that that pig doesn't stand a chance of catching on anything on the way down or knocking anything off onto you. It seems like you'd be better off having someone control the pig the whole time.
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lambone
Apr 24, 2006, 4:32 PM
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mikeheartly,
the technique you are describing is a common self-rescue technique known as the "assisted-lower." you can do this with one, or two ropes tied together, just put the pig on the knot side. {edit} oops I mean the non-knot side.
It works well but you need to connect the haulbag to your harnes so that it comes down along with you. may sound funny, but if you do this with a person you actually have to pull them down along with you. a sling is all you need for the connection, and it ussualy pulls up on you no down, unles sthe bag is like twice as heavy as you.
be sure to have some sort of docking teather ready on the bag for when you hit the next belay. you will want a load release knot or mechanism to ease the next transfer. allways back everything up. 8^)
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mikeehartley
Apr 24, 2006, 5:03 PM
Post #35 of 51
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Bone,
Thanks for the thoughts. I've done the assisted lower before, or at least one version of it. It doesn't give you the freedom to move much laterally though since the pig/person is basically attached to you.
mr8615 - The way I see it there aren't any knots to pass with this system. The concern about loose rock is very valid. At least this way you can descend and if rockfall looks like a concern, fix the rope, jug back up, and then rap while you guide the pig.
One of these days when I turn into a climber again I'll have to try it and see what the real kinks are. I've just never seen anyone post on having done it this way.
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olympicmtnboy
Apr 24, 2006, 5:11 PM
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Wow, lots of great stuff here. Most likely I'll end up using some of this since I've just recently jumped into solo aid this season. One question I have that hasn't been address yet is passing a know while rapping with bags. I've only passed knots with a bag light enough to easily move around (often just a backpack). How do you pass a knot when rapping with a heavy bag?
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holdplease2
Apr 24, 2006, 5:50 PM
Post #37 of 51
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Hey Lambone:
I think I may be missing something, it would be great if you could explainl..
I can see how when rapping with just yourself, and backing up to your leg loop with a klimheist, you can realease it by lifting your leg a bit relative to the belay device.
But if you are rapping with the pigs directly attached to the atc, and the klimheist attached to the pigs, but below the ATC as backup...and the pigs then weight the klimheist, weighing 120-150 pounds...how do you unweight the klimheist?
Thanks, as I would like to backup this way, but cannot see how to unweight the knot when the klimheist is holding the weight.
Are you attaching the backup to something other than the pigs?
Thanks for your help,
-Kate.
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holdplease2
Apr 24, 2006, 5:53 PM
Post #38 of 51
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If you are in an emergency situation, or your rope is damanged, you can have to pass a knot with a heavy pig. If you are rapping fixed lines on the east ledges, you may have to pass a knot or even switch ropes.
There are many discussions on this, I can't go finding them right now, tho, as I am supposed to be working...perhaps in a bit.
-Kate.
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mikeehartley
Apr 24, 2006, 7:07 PM
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Kate,
On the klemheist backup- in my experience releasing this has not been hard even with a heavy load. Since the backup is below the rap device it does not hold the full weight of the pig - only the amount of force that your brake hand holds. I'd guess that it doesn't take much more than 30 lbs of push to release the knot. If the backup is above the device that's a different story. I don't do an excessive number of wraps on my klemheist backup though. Depending on what I'm using I probably average 3. I do a few wraps, test it to make sure they are enough, and then away I go.
On passing knots - I think this is a nerve-wracking hassle but technically no big deal. The key is to have two docking cords on the pig. The bag hangs on from one your rap device. As you come to the knot to be passed anchor the 2nd docking cord (several prussks above knot works for an anchor). Release the first docker, transfer the rap device below the knot, and then reverse the process. It's important to have docking cords that are pretty long so you don't run out of travel. Depending on your experience and comfort level you can back up the bag with a sling/daisy at all stages but its easy to forget to undo the backup and screw yourself. If someone knows of an easier method I'd like to learn it.
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lambone
Apr 24, 2006, 7:23 PM
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In reply to: Hey Lambone: But if you are rapping with the pigs directly attached to the atc, and the klimheist attached to the pigs, but below the ATC as backup...and the pigs then weight the klimheist, weighing 120-150 pounds...how do you unweight the klimheist? Thanks, as I would like to backup this way, but cannot see how to unweight the knot when the klimheist is holding the weight. Are you attaching the backup to something other than the pigs? Thanks for your help, -Kate.
Kate,
yes i allways attach the klimheist to a biner clipped to my leg loop, and tend the friction knot carefull when lowering. If it does cinch it is ussually fairly easy to unweight it, regardles of how heavy you and the load are, because the klimheist slips easily when pushed by your hand (if it tied well).
attached to your leg loop it is easy to unweight, and should never be getting too tight.
mybe some would argue different.
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lambone
Apr 24, 2006, 7:35 PM
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In reply to: If you are in an emergency situation, or your rope is damanged, you can have to pass a knot with a heavy pig. If you are rapping fixed lines on the east ledges, you may have to pass a knot or even switch ropes. There are many discussions on this, I can't go finding them right now, tho, as I am supposed to be working...perhaps in a bit. -Kate.
sure, your point is?
You definately don't want to let the knot get sucked into the klimheist back-up, that could get messy.
I can't see much cause for passing a knot with a full haulbag, except for maybe emergency bailing off the heart lines. I try to avoid it.
If bailing or on the east ledges. I allways prefer to use my own lines rather then go down some ratty old ones, especialy on the east ledges descent. why kill yourself AFTER climbing El Cap...on the way down. Fuck those ropes.
If I was tieing the ropes together to make it down to the deck in one 400 or 600ft rap to the ground, I would probly either be leaving my haulbag for later retrieval, or I would tie it to the end of the chord and lower it in one shot with a munter hitch passing the knots at the anchor. I actually did this once or twice on the Trip.
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kimgraves
Apr 24, 2006, 9:16 PM
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Can a Shunt be used instead of a klimheist? I use a Shunt as my normal rappel backup and it's easy to release under load.
Kim
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lambone
Apr 24, 2006, 9:39 PM
Post #43 of 51
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yeah but its a big heavy peice of gear to carry when 3ft of 6mil chord does the trick.
you allready have jumars, pulleys/haul device, swivel, gri-gri, etc....etc...eventually you have to draw the line.
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ricardol
Apr 25, 2006, 12:50 AM
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i'm a little late with my comment .. but i wanted to chime in regarding kate's bail from Tribal last year ..
.. i was on south seas while she was debating wether to continue or to bail ..
.. i remember that in a conversation with dave turner and pete she basically boiled it down to this (on the radio).. kate had no rivet kit with her, she was sure that some rivets were blown .. and had only bolts with her .. to continue she would have to either cheat stick throug the missing rivets, or place bolts in their place ... neither option seemed like a good idea .. so down she went.
.. i thought that was great style ..
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holdplease2
Apr 25, 2006, 1:14 PM
Post #45 of 51
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Thanks guys for the tip on the prussik/klimheist.
Lambone: Your "Sure Your Point Is..." remark was to a response I wrote to someone elses post. Someone was asking how to pass a knot (I think as a separate issue/question) and there was some question as to whether this was likely to be required. It had nothing to do with your previous post. Sorry for the confusion.
And Ricardo, yes, the rivit kit question was a problem, (I had two 1/4 inch buttonheads, and could have considered those, the rest were 3/8 inchers...the rivits on the route were 1/2 inch machine heads 1/8 inch in. Yuck.) but I also could have tried bathooking the holes. In the end I decided "Screw this" and went to the Pizza Deck with friends. You probably missed the AM radio call when I was talking with Dave & Pete and said bye to the guys on the wall and got outta there, crediting 'liteness' for the bail in the end... :)
-Kate.
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lambone
Apr 25, 2006, 7:18 PM
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I agree you made the right call Kate, you shouldn't second guess...or have to explain yourself.
so, question back on topic.
What sort of auto-block back up (if any) did you use when you rapped from up above Boot flake? sonuds like not the standard "leg-loop" autoblock...?
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holdplease2
Apr 25, 2006, 8:10 PM
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Hi Lambone:
Thank you...
I didn't use a backup, but my rap system was a grigri, with an ATC for additional friction and the ends of the lines clipped to me, with both ropes feeding from rope buckets on the pig.
I never thought of backing up a grigri rap, and had always considered an autoblock backup to be a pretty big potential problem with that big of a load, so I am glad to hear otherwise from you guys. Another trick in the bag, for sure.
However, I am hoping not to need the trick again anytime soon. ;)
-Kate.
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kimgraves
Apr 25, 2006, 8:18 PM
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Hi Kate,
This might be a dumb noob question, but how do you rap on double ropes with a gri? Rap on the non-knot side?
Thanks, Kim
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lambone
Apr 25, 2006, 9:03 PM
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In reply to: Hi Lambone: I never thought of backing up a grigri rap, and had always considered an autoblock backup to be a pretty big potential problem with that big of a load, so I am glad to hear otherwise from you guys. Another trick in the bag, for sure. However, I am hoping not to need the trick again anytime soon. ;) -Kate.
Hi Kate,
I don't usualy rap my doubled ropes with a gri-gri...I use just one ATC sytle device with the leg-loop auto block. I have done East Ledges several times like this with big loads and it was fine. Never any trouble releasing it after it cinched.
I would NEVER tie the Auto-block or Jumar above the device like some people do though....that is asking for big trouble.
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holdplease2
Apr 26, 2006, 12:10 AM
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Right on, Lambone.
Kim: The system I used to rap, fix my lines, and get the pigs to the anchor was weird, and only kinda safe. Not something I'd recommend.
If someone should use it, they'll make it up on their own when the time comes. You understand, I'm sure, internet being what it is. :)
-Kate.
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lambone
Apr 27, 2006, 4:11 AM
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Another way I bailed with a partner once (the Prow) was like this:
1. My partner rapped down on rope #1, swung over to the anchor and fixed it.
2. I lowered the pig on rope #2, with the pig's daisy clipped to rope #1.
3. The pig went right down to partner just fine (not too traversing).
4. Partner docks pig and fixes both ends of ropes.
5. I rapped down both ropes as usual and we pulled them.
Maybe this has allready been hashed out as an option, sorry if I am repeating.
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