Roll N' Lock not holding....

[moss]

It surprised me because I know people are hanging from these as seen on numerous rock climbing videos.

stop looking at rock climbing videos! [joke]

 

[Zebco Kid]

I don't even believe in rocks!

 

[Richard Mumford-yoyoman]

stop looking at rock climbing videos! [joke]

I get the humor but on a serious note.
Aside from all the reasons tree climbing is different, rock climbers in trees often forget that they don't have a dedicated person on belay, making sure that their climbing apparatus does not have flop or slop in it, that it does not have slack in the rope AND the system, it is not impeded by a chest harness or clothing, not just for shock loading but also to make sure that it is oriented properly and clear to function.
There is a lot to process there if one gives it some thought. Rock climbers develop muscle memory that builds trust that the system will be there in a a fall. It is important to have that trust, I get that, but it is equally important , difficult to overcome.

 

[Mike Islander]

Hello Richard.

I can't be sure...but I think you might have uncovered my problem. I have the RnL mounted properly on the rope...however, as you pointed out in, "Couple of Things...#2"...I think I was rigged for a "bad day." I wont be doing that again.

I'm much obliged.

View attachment 81364

Also thinking that tether is a huge no-go. I understand it might pull down to engage the teeth, but it also looks like it could pull the wrong way and literally disengage the teeth.

 

[Zebco Kid]

Also thinking that tether is a huge no-go. I understand it might pull down to engage the teeth, but it also looks like it could pull the wrong way and literally disengage the teeth.

Alright. I saw someone place that tether to facilitate opening the device, but off it goes. Thank you for the insight/oversight/experience.

 

[Mike Islander]

Alright. I saw someone place that tether to facilitate opening the device, but off it goes. Thank you for the insight/oversight/experience.

Far less experience than you, but it just looked bad to me.

 

[moss]

Not to forget, a simple 5-wrap prussik with a hitch cord w/carabiner and micropulley (or one of the DMM biners with built-in “roller”) has all the functionality of the roll n’ lock, quick install, stays set, easy to readjust as needed, for the use you’re describing.
-AJ

 

[climbstihl]

I've had difficulties getting a rolln'lock to engage on a already tensioned rope, which is exactly the application you are using it in. This is especially true with larger diameter ropes.

 

[southsoundtree]

Not to forget, a simple 5-wrap prussik with a hitch cord w/carabiner and micropulley (or one of the DMM biners with built-in “roller”) has all the functionality of the roll n’ lock, quick install, stays set, easy to readjust as needed, for the use you’re describing.
-AJ

A multipurpose set of gear instead of a one-trick pony.

 

[Zebco Kid]

Climbstihl,

That was my experience. I'm hoping that I simply had it configured wrong. I'll be giving it another try.

 

[climbstihl]

Climbstihl,

That was my experience. I'm hoping that I simply had it configured wrong. I'll be giving it another try.

I just tried to recreate it, without success... With 8.9mm, 10mm, 11mm and 12.7mm ropes. I don't know what I did differently when I had that problem, perhaps it was a slightly different version of the rollnlock. I remember that one of the three I habe felt a little bit different. The other two are permanent bridge adjusters for my sequoia and treemotion.

 

[Bart_]

Devices engaging differently on a tensioned rope is very likely a thing. I was testing some stable braid and under tension it was a rock hard cylindrical profile; flaked it was totally sloppy pliant and loose. That said, a well designed device ought not to care. Prussics and hitches are reliable on tensioned lines.

 

[evo]

Hello Richard.

I can't be sure...but I think you might have uncovered my problem. I have the RnL mounted properly on the rope...however, as you pointed out in, "Couple of Things...#2"...I think I was rigged for a "bad day." I wont be doing that again.

I'm much obliged.

View attachment 81364

Always check your life support. This is one of the cases where the oldschool mantra of “whenever using a mechanical you should have a backup or a backup prussic”
This has certainly become passé, BUT I’d argue that it still holds 100% relevant for toothed or camed devices.
So keeping the “slack” rules in mind any amount of 3’ falling shall be avoided.
I’d never recommend using a thing like a roll n lock as a primary solo device.

Now I still have one on my bridge as an adjuster, but I’m never 100% dependent on it, and understand the devise enough to know it might slip of not babysat.

 

[Richard Mumford-yoyoman]

I do

I just tried to recreate it, without success... With 8.9mm, 10mm, 11mm and 12.7mm ropes. I don't know what I did differently when I had that problem, perhaps it was a slightly different version of the rollnlock. I remember that one of the three I habe felt a little bit different. The other two are permanent bridge adjusters for my sequoia and treemotion.

I doubt it played a part but they did have a recall on a batch so check for that.

 

[Richard Mumford-yoyoman]

S

Devices engaging differently on a tensioned rope is very likely a thing. I was testing some stable braid and under tension it was a rock hard cylindrical profile; flaked it was totally sloppy pliant and loose. That said, a well designed device ought not to care. Prussics and hitches are reliable on tensioned lines.

So true, foot ascender vs knee ascender for example.

 

[Richard Mumford-yoyoman]

So keeping the “slack” rules in mind any amount of 3’ falling shall be avoided.

I 100% agree and appreciate people noting this important rule. So many think that slack is just for shock load considerations but as important, it keeps things configured and ready. Our mindset set should not be, "I'm sure it will engage if I slip", it should be, "I trust it because I'm watching it, setting it and protecting it."