ISC Rocker Ropegrab

[Winch]

Does anyone use one of these?:

http://goo.gl/C6IPA



If you do, can you tell me what you use it for, advantages or disadvantages to the device, etc.

I have one, haven't tried it out yet, was wondering about compatibility with the wrench instead of a hitch, or just what this thing is good for, if anything.

Thanks!

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Go to Gary Storrick's site to learn more about the Rocker and other rope grabs like this.

The Rocker is meant to be used as an ascender not a descender. When I was using it I could descend a little but the ride down was NOT smooth and I didn't like the action.

Using the Rope Wrenche's friction dampening features might smooth out the descent. If I were testing this I would have a separate belay line attached to me with a person belaying me. There is a very good chance that you could move the Rocker over-center and cause a ground fall. Be careful@!

During the development of a dual attachment SRT system I started off using two Micro Grabs. You can see then in this pic. The lower would tail along passively. If I needed to move back down the rope I could reverse inch-worm by releasing the top one and letting the tether bunch up. Then I would loosen the lower one. At no time did I thumb the cam on both ascenders. That could have allowed a fall. Thumbing both cams was tempting but this would negate the dual attachment system.

Be sure to look at the next pic too for how the Rocker was incorporated.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

When I found the Rocker I realized that it was a better unit to use for the lower attachment.

It would slide up the rope easier. Installation was a bit easier. The nicest part was that I could flip the tab and lock the rocking mechanism in place for positioning. Using the Micro Grab in the lower meant that it would slide up the rope sometimes when I was moving around.

The picture isn't real clear but I think that you can see how the Rocker worked in my system. The bracket that is taped/epoxied onto the biner kept the Rocker from sliding down the spine of the biner. Think of it working like a corner trap does on the curved part of a biner. There is a shoelace tether in there so that the whole system was chained together. This reduced the fumblies.

 

[Winch]

Cool Tom, thanks. I had a feeling you had some experience with this particular piece of gear (and so many others).

Low and slow, I may try it out this week, will report if so.

Anyone else?

 

[oldfart]

I use the ISC Rocker for my SRT ascent. My access line is Imori, the primary ascender is the Uni in SRT and my footloops are on the ISC, below the Uni. At the top, I set a TIP, and move the Uni into DRT. The Rocker stays on the access line and tethers to a Screamer on a dorsal ring. For as much of the climb as I can, the access line does double duty as a safety line.

This way, I get my brief SRT access without carrying any extra equipment. The Rocker is well-behaved on the Imori because it’s slightly undersized. It needs no tending whatever, either up or down. For excursions, I close the little clamp on the Rocker and leave it there on the line. Sometimes I can get back to it, sometimes not. But it’ll come down OK with the line retrieval.

OF