Popular Descending Gear???

joesoup

joesoup

Location
Macon Georgia, USA
What kind of descenders do most of you guys prefer? I am looking for something like a figure 8, but not too sure. What kinds give you adequate friction without being to finicky/unforgiving? Also, which are the easiest to tie in with in the tree?

Thanks,
Joe
 
Due to it's simplicity, a plain-ol' fig. 8 may be the easiest to work with.

That said, rarely do I find it worth it to carry around an 8 when the friction hitch will do a superb job. I will go so far as to say it does a BETTER job than the 8.

I do like rock climbing rap devices. I use a Trango Jaws for everything from 1lmm Blaze to half-inch XTC, not to mention the several rock climbing ropes I have that start at 9.8mm.

love
nick
 
For personal use I would stick with a figure 8. About the only time I use one is during SRT on a spar during a removal. I'll always decend on my climbing hitch. But if your looking to have some fun with repelling talk to those rock climbing guys.
 
Joe;

What are you going to use it for? Emergency descent when footlocking? Working a spar? Belay from the ground when you are ascending? I think people would recommend different things for different applications.
 
Mahk is right, there are different tools for specific uses.

I've got enough descenders to fill a three gallon bucket to overflowing. There are pluses and minuses for each.

My least favorite is an eight. But I know that I'm in the minority on that call.

An eight is the most universal tool after an HMS biner. Have you used a Munter hitch? Pretty simple and effective. I carry a couple of HMS with me all of the time.

This is the place to learn all about ascenders and descenders:

http://storrick.cnchost.com/VerticalDevicesPage/VerticalHome.shtml
 
I mostly want to do some repelling after reaching the desired limb in trees.
I like the blakes, and plan on experimenting with the distel, but just want to learn a variety of applications for who knows what down the road.

Anybody use the pirana? I am interested as to whether it performs better than a standard 8?
 
Tom , your not in the minority on the Fig. 8. I cant stand using them unless I have to . Completely messes up my rope after one use. If I'm going to descend srt. I use my Petzel Stop. Drt. Just a hitch of some sort .

Greg
 
Like Greg says, eights hockle arbo ropes in a bad way.

There are several bobbin devices like the Stop or racks where the rope goes through in a straight flow, no turns. A rack with a hyper bar can be setup very easily. With careful attention you can "almost" let go of the rope and rely on the friction of the rack. Never let go with your brake hand though.
 
Yes, I use the Black Diamond ATC on occasion. Yes it works. But the 1/2" rope is a bit bulky and sometimes you sorta have to feed it in the ATC. Like tom mentioned with the Rack, sometimes (if there's enough rope below you) you can just let go of the rope and you won't go anywhere.

love
nick
 
Joe,

I use the Pirana and like it, but as mentioned before it, like all devices, has its limited uses. It is small, light, has the ability to ad friction or take it away while in use, it is easy to lock off, the hook up elimanates the chance of girth hitching. However, It is difficult to use on ropes larger than 1/2 inch (forget it if the rope is doubled) Because of its small size it generates alot of heat. It really only hooks up well to Petzl bieners.

Hope this helps


Tony
 
After reading the posts above.It seems to me that one thing is overlooked when using Figure of eight type decending devices.When decending you should really have either a prusik over the top of the 8 or as with rock climbing decents a short prusik on your leg loop under the device.The problem with 8's as I see it is if for some reason you let go of the rope you have no back up and if you panic may well hit the ground before getting hold of the rope again.I think that all decending devices should be configured to stop when released.This will always give you a greater factor of safety...With release to lock devices There can be other problems though people who panic may react by holding the lever open on a gri-gri for example.This is the main reason I favour the ID it only releases when the lever is held in the middle if grabbed all the way open it will lock and also if released..i feel this is a very safe system.As for rappelling racks i think they are useful but can be a bit on the large size...As has been said already if you have enough weight in the rope tail it will give you enough friction to stop if the rope is released in most cases

Didj
 
Didj,

Have you read the paper on Storrick's site about rappel backups? A very interesting position. I like to have a back up during rapping. Especially for arbos who have the mental and muscle memory imprinted in themselves to "let go lock off"
 
I would not go so far as to say that a rappell "should" have a back-up/lock-off, but I would never rule it out as an option ESPECIALLY if the user wanted one for whatever reason.

love
nick
 
I think Spidey or Tom has a picture of my Canadian Italian Hitch. When tied correctly it twists the rope one way for half the knot, then it twists it back. It also has a lot of friction so you don't have to white knuckle the rope on the way down.

Dave
 
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