Managing the Rope Wrench

Zebco Kid

Zebco Kid

Branched out member
Location
Ashland, Oregon
Hello All,

First post this this section of the forum. I'm a recreational climber. I enjoy it tremendously. I think it's awesome what many of you are able to accomplish in the canopy. Now then...to my questions

I'm new to SRT. I have a couple questions about its use:

1. I have a Petzl Zig Zag. I enjoy it for my DRT climbing. Can I use the Zig Zag with my Rope Wrench in SRT?

2. I have been using my rope wrench with a prusik (Cornell is my favorite) and a Hitch Climber Pulley. I find that the Rope Wrench falls when ascending, and I have to manage it when I stop climbing and want to sit back and/or descend. I have attached a picture of what I'm talking about when it falls.

2.5. I have collected the Rope Wrench above the Zig Zag, but when the Rope Wrench "falls," I get spooked that it might contact the top of the Zig Zag and initiate an unplanned decent.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on these questions and experiences.

Thank you.BB11E9C6-6293-4086-9AE9-241971241B9A.jpeg
 
I would eliminate the carabiner from the rope wrench to the Hitchclimber and place the end of the wrench tether next to the Hitch climber.... Attach that all to a pear or HMS or DMM Rhino carabiner on your bridge.

Crappy old zoomed in picture attached...


You can also buy a double leg wrench tether that will have an eye on each side of the Hitch climber.

Or use a Pinto Pulley instead of the Hitchclimber and place the wrench tether inside the sides of the Pinto


Hope that helps!

db27e2c87c9ba4f9aaa38c3893d4b440.jpg


Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
 
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Not a problem, it's just my preference but there may be other answers out there.. I don't have a zig zag so I'll let some folks with experience on the zz/wrench combo address your other questions

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
 
IMO you need a longer tether and yes consider dropping the carabiner. I like the split leg ones because im stuck on oval carabiners A alternative is you can have the wrench in the bottom hole and the hitch in the middle, capture the wrench carabiner with the legs of the hitch cord to keep it in the correct position. This can interfere with the function of the hitch, but it also can work.
 
I use a shackle in the top hole of the hitch climber to attach my tether, also the fix shorty tether like yours. There’s a small amount of flop from the tether moving side to side but it’s like a centimeter of flop. One could remove that flop if they really wanted to. I don’t ever remove the wrench, but makes for an easy transition to Mrs if you were to want that. Idk why, I just like it being separate from the hitch, and it makes the tether the exact perfect length to never interfere with the hitch in any way but not add length to the system.
 
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If it’s possible for the wrench to release the ZZ, you need a longer tether.
I got a ZagWrench tether doohickey or whatever it’s called. Kinda like the Reon Rounds tether. I’ll get a pic. They’re no longer made but I think the builder left instructions on how to make them somewhere.
 
Putting a small o ring, one on each side of tether eye to keep it centered, on the shaft that holds the tether and adding some whipping/seizing to the upper tether eye will help to keep the Wrench from dropping down too much.
 
Nothing is smoother and safer than well dialed Wrench, and you must first ditch the separate biner which is attaching your tether to your HC pulley. Get yourself a double legged shorty tether and attached it to the same biner as your friction hitch, with the tether legs sitting on the INSIDE of your prussic eyes...Keeps everything center and tidy. I would aslo highly recommend you try a Michoacán with a 24"-26" E2E.
 
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rico said:
Nothing is smoother and safer than well dialed Wrench, and you must first ditch the separate biner which is attaching your tether to your HC pulley. Get yourself a double legged shorty tether and attached it to the same biner as your friction hitch, with the tether legs sitting on the outside of you prussic eyes...Keeps everything center and tidy. I would aslo highly recommend you try a Michoacán with a 24"-26" E2E.
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This sentiment is constantly echoed on this forum and it rings true.

The top of the wrench is close, but does not interfere. I think I’d be wary to have it that close with a zigzag but idk. Been climbing on the sticht lately so don’t do this often anymore, but it could be improved. Leaves the middle hole open for whatever fuckery you might want it for.
 

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rico said:
Nothing is smoother and safer than well dialed Wrench, and you must first ditch the separate biner which is attaching your tether to your HC pulley. Get yourself a double legged shorty tether and attached it to the same biner as your friction hitch, with the tether legs sitting on the outside of you prussic eyes...Keeps everything center and tidy. I would aslo highly recommend you try a Michoacán with a 24"-26" E2E.
Click to expand...
Hmmmm tether eyes outside the hitchcord eh? I’m gonna have to try that today!!
 
Hello All,

Thank you for the lively discussion, and the sharing of your experience/ideas.

Ironically, I was an owner for a short time of a Rope Runner Pro. It was an incredibly well engineered piece of equipment. At the time I wasn't climbing SRT, and it seemed a bit cumbersome for DRT...so I sold it.

I had the impression that the Rope Wrench would be more straight forward, but with this discussion it seems...in some ways...more complicated...so if I'm willing to jack the money, I ought to return to the Rope Runner Pro.

Sounds like a first world problem...and being in the USA and Northern California, I suppose it is.

DG
 
Zebco Kid said:
Hello All,

First post this this section of the forum. I'm a recreational climber. I enjoy it tremendously. I think it's awesome what many of you are able to accomplish in the canopy. Now then...to my questions

I'm new to SRT. I have a couple questions about its use:

1. I have a Petzl Zig Zag. I enjoy it for my DRT climbing. Can I use the Zig Zag with my Rope Wrench in SRT?

2. I have been using my rope wrench with a prusik (Cornell is my favorite) and a Hitch Climber Pulley. I find that the Rope Wrench falls when ascending, and I have to manage it when I stop climbing and want to sit back and/or descend. I have attached a picture of what I'm talking about when it falls.

2.5. I have collected the Rope Wrench above the Zig Zag, but when the Rope Wrench "falls," I get spooked that it might contact the top of the Zig Zag and initiate an unplanned decent.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on these questions and experiences.

Thank you.View attachment 77381
Click to expand...
This setup works for me.
The RW/tether will collapse somewhat when ascending (1st pic). Once your full weight is on the rope, it will fully extend (pic 2).
 

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I‘ll take credit if it works, but I meant putting the o rings on the shaft that holds the tether, inside the Wrench.
 
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