New piece of gear from Rock Exotica

[frans]

Called the 'Silent Partner', this might be a great tool for practicing the speed climb by yourself. I have'nt worked it but it seems like a possibility.
Frans
www.wrenindustries.com/silentpart_home.html
Silent Partner
Solo climbers have wished for a speed sensitive device that would automatically feed out rope while the climber advanced, but quickly lock in any kind of fall. The Silent Partner accomplishes this. It has a speed dependent mechanism that allows rope to easily move through it at typical climbing speeds, yet lock up in a fall. The Silent Partner attaches to your waist harness; no chest harness is needed. The device resembles a pulley on steroids. To use, the climber ties a clove hitch around the wheel. Inside the wheel is the centrifugal mechanism that allows the rope to smoothly feed while climbing. The increased speed of a fall causes the wheel to lock and the clove hitch stops the fall. There are neither sharp teeth nor radical rope bends, so the device is very gentle to your rope. The Silent Partner has been proven on many diverse climbs by a variety of climbers. It can be used for leading or top roping. The unit is very strong and damage resistant. It will catch a fall in any attitude, whether upright or upside down. NOTE: Like any device it must be backed up — never trust your life to a single tool. The Silent Partner comes with an extensive instruction manual. The device is totally CNC machined from aerospace alloys — no castings are used.
Strength: 5,000 lbf (22.2kN)
Weight: 16 oz. (453.6 g)
Price: $225

 

[Tom Dunlap]

The SP has been around in rock climbing worlds for a while, I think it was developed by Sparrow Industries. It has a good reputation from solo climbers. Care needs to be used to keep it aligned to keep UP up. If the climber falls there is a possibility of a release of the rope isn't kept fair. I think that there is a bit of internal friction that would need to be overcome. Having the rope weighted or tied off with a bungee has been suggested.

 

[Teti]

I've had one for a couple of years.Never thought to use it ina tree for any reason but I have used it for roped solo climbs on rock. In that situation the rope is already anchored at the ground or the start of a pitch. It works really well when feeding rope from a pack. Does not lock up when you don't want it to and locks up when it should (I hope,havn't fallen on it YET! /forum/images/graemlins/9lame.gif.The BIG drawback w/ it is the weight (1 lbs.). I have enough stuff to cary as it is, especially when a clove hitch works on a biner almost as good. The other thing is w/ any kind of climbing like that your supposed to tie backup knots every 8' or so.
Using it for a belay on a speed climb I would weight the rope as apposed to anchoring it. If it wasn't raining out I would try it.

 

[Teti]

Another.

 

[frans]

Teti,
Thanks for the reply. Very imformative I did not think about the weight. Maybe use this 'silent partner' for lowering branches?

Now I have a question for you.
How on earth do you monitor each individual piece of gear for, length of use, overall wear, and inspect each piece of gear for workability of the moving parts?
do you gear up for specific climbs and then clean and inspect specific pieces of gear for each climb?
Man what alot of gear, I thought tree climbers & high angle rescue people were gear heads, but I see I have alot of learning to do regarding Rock Climbers
Frans

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

Ditto!

What about one of the Harken blocks instead for lowering branches, isn't that the pre and during tightening of a pulley, yet the support load of friction (like Silent Partner) fer cheaper? And smooth enough to let rope run?

Enquiring minds knead to know!

 

[Teti]

The S.P. is speed activated. As soon as you put a load on it, it locks up. Then the clove hitch cinches down and arrests the fall. I suppose you could just use a wrap or two instead of the clove so the rope would feed smoothly when setting the line but create enough friction to lower the piece safely. For what that little thing costs I am not willing to test that out. Doesn't sound real practical.
To answer your other question, biners are biners you care for them like any other. Wired nuts are no brainers. If they take a hard fall I will replace them. Cams are a different story. They can be expensive ($60-$150 a piece). Inspect, lube, and replace the slings when need be. Some manufacturers sell rebuild kits. Bottom line: Take care of your gear and your gear will take care ou you.
Here is a cool shot that Ox took of me in N.J. Notice the plane.

 

[charlieb]

Ever tried the Rocker?
Feeds great ascendeing or descending and grabs quick after 3-4kn of weight is applied to it. Great fall protection and fairly light.
CharlieB.

 

[Oxman]

That was taken on Teti's camera after mine got caught by the crane outrigger while it was being retracted. Here's what it looked like.

 

[Zac]

ooops. Is crane damage covered under warranty?

 

[Oxman]

The camera is obviously defective to not be able to stand up to that measley 40 ton crane.