Is it safe ...?

Kevin,

How exactly do you mean that: in your climbing system, as a back up during ascent?

Thanks,

TMW
 
I tried using a pursik type hitch above a pair of Petzel ascendeders. I wanted a back up in case one of the ascenders failed on the double rope system. It worked but was not smooth and I didn't like it. I have not tried another system of back up yet but would like to find one worth using.
 
i have used a short prusic sling(maybe 12in.)above my ascender on a locking biner attached to the hole closest to the rope on top of the ascender (old style petzl). the prussic stays out of tour way and the biner will keep the rope from backing out of your ascender.
 
what i was talking about was for a single line. i'm sure something similer could be used for a double line. the junk kongs are just a rip off of the old style petzl.
 
Kevin what hitch are you using?I have backed the ascender up with a form of the french prussick .It works but there is some added friction but not to bad.I back my ascender up with a micro adjuster most often.
 
I`m using a double rope, I may not stick with it but I wanted to give it a try.
I have a Kong double ascender on the way.
I`ll probably try the Blakes hitch above the Kong.
 
When ascending through a brushy crown DRT, I will back up the ascenders with a klemhiest underneath. Snug it up and just slide it up after the ascenders no real problem, Makes me alot more comfortable with the redundancyu in the system.

I too cannot footlock without loading the knot so much it locks. I realy don't have any interest in learning to either
 
Tim, I want to practise footlocking but want to support my weight on the Kong double ascender just under my climbing hitch.
As I ascend I`ll ignore my climbing hitch and allow it to advance up the rope off the top of the ascender.
I`ll be attached to the ascender and the hitch on seperate lines.
The hitch and ascender will be attached to the rope but separate from one another.
It should be safe enough but it doesn`t hurt to run it by more experienced climbers in case I over look something.
I want to keep my weight off the hitch until I get a feel for footlocking on a static line.
 
Well I guess I`m in good company then JP.
wink.gif


Are you using separate left and right hand ascenders on DRT?
 
I discovered you can`t put a hitch above a double ascender because the ascender spreads the rope.
The Blakes is far too tight using the DRT, I remember trying it before and it didn`t work then either.
rolleyes.gif

I ended up using the klemhiest under the ascender.
Still having a bitch of a time getting the two ropes to lock but when my hands heal and my ab pains subside I`ll go at it again.
tongue.gif
 
When I was using DRT to enter the tree I bolted two Kong handled ascenders to one handle. The holes lined up nicely to do that. As a back up I used accesory cord and tied a Klemheist above the ascenders. The loop was long enough that I never weighted it while footlocking. The ascenders always pushed the K up with no interference. Finding a cord that is supple enough to lock is the key.

Using a webbing loop is an option too. Tieing an autoblock or French prusik is one of the methods that cavers and mountaineers use. Just wrap the tape around the line several times and clip the ends into a biner. Experiment with the loop length.

Just about any of the closed loop friction hitches should work as a backup.

Tom
 
Thanks Tom,
I remember reading on one of the caving boards you were just starting to use a pantin, a couple of years ago now I think.
Are you still using it to ascend or have you gone to something different?
 
Kevin, I made a sytem for single line that Ive been using latley on double line.It allows you to stay tied in at all times and the going up is as easy as pie.Hopefully , you will be seeing this in the near future of New tribes cat. and web site. If interested, let me know, I'll email you some info.I call it The GLeasy.

thanks

Greg


Greg

[ June 07, 2002: Message edited by: klimbinfool ]
 
Always interested Greg, thanks.
Has placing a single mechanical ascender above the climbing hitch ever been a concern where the ascender may fail and drag the hitch down the rope?

[ June 08, 2002: Message edited by: Kevin ]
 
Kevin, I guess that could be a concern, But I never heard of one failing. Unlesss it was under extream load or had debris in it.Your hitch should catch before the ascender hits it anyway.Especially if your using a Machard or split tail. The tie off point is very short compared to the way it used to be.I remember when I first started climbing, I always wonderd if the knot would hold me and the line as well.Today I done give it much thought, just like the ascenders or descenders.I just have to trust them,learn to use them correctly and check them constantly.
 
I still use the Pantinwhen I have an ascent over thirty feet. Shorter ascents aren't worth the bother.

Setting up backups takes some trial and error to get the bridge length right. IF the ascender is above the hitch there is some possibility that the tool could cause the hithc to slip. Like Greg says, trust the tools and pay attention. I find that I have a routine of going through checkups on all of my pieces just about everytime I make an adjustment. This doesn't take any time really. Just a visual checkoff.

My current upper sacender is pretty compact. I use a MicroCender with a short webbing lanyard. The lanyard attaches to a biner on the front of my saddle [Butterfly]. A Ropeman is attached to the rope and clipped into the same biner. The lanyard is adjusted so that I grab it just below the MC to pussh is up the rope. The R just tails along. When the time comes to move up the tree and not the rope I can grab the rope below the R and give it a pull upwards. The R works like a slack tender and pushes up the MC to take out the slack. Before I start up the rope I jump up and take up slack with th R too.

Tom
 
Tom, So do you use this sytem for long ascents into trees also. Say 150' plus? Do you use two ascenders for the uppers on long climbs or do you do the one armed bandit rutine all the way up ?

Greg
 
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