Rope Runner

Kevin, liability form is in the mail. Spent a few more hours on it today running it as an SRT system on top rope bridge and my ZZ as a DdRT system on my bottom rope bridge, ooccasionally I would throw the lanyard to tweek my position off the D's. It was a little cumbersome running 2 systems on separate bridges (my first time), however I got used to it. Once I did it was amazing how you could tweek your position by just ascending/descending on one or both systems. I know I could of ran them both off one bridge but I thought why not have absolute redundancy, well other than the harness itself.
 
My RR was delivered today...thanks Kevin.

Unfortunately, it's going to be at least a few days before I can try it. 80' up on a climb a couple of days ago, something went POP in my bicep, along with the sharp pain one would expect. Like an idiot I continued up to the TIP at ~95' after a brief rest. I hate getting (being) old.

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OK....I could not wait to heal before trying out the RR. I set it up with a short sling to the bridge to place it high enough that I could use a chest roller under it, allowing me to climb one armed.

Up 15', stop for photos and on up to ~40' where I could stand on a limb and tie off to remove the sling and extra biner to get the RR in a normal position to descend.

My first impression is that the RR just became my go to ascend/descend tool. I also like that the bird does not place as sharp of a bend radius on the rope as the Rope Wrench does.

I had almost forgotten how nice it is to climb with a chest roller and it tends the RR very nicely.

Sitting back with the setup for chest roller use and climbing....

IMG_20140907_164826_857 copy (Small).webp IMG_20140907_164905_500 copy (Small).webp
 
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It's a NT Onyx and has nothing to do with using the "tether" (should have said sling).

I used a couple of terms incorrectly in my post. Tether should have been sling and chest harness should have been chest roller. I edited it and it may make more sense now.

The sling was used to place the RR above the chest roller for climbing. If the chest roller is placed above the RR or hitch hiker, etc., you can't sit in the saddle without the chest roller preventing the RR from grabbing. With the chest roller below the RR, it tends the RR up as you climb and does not interfere with the RR's operation when you need it to grab.

To me, this setup is less than ideal, but it is the only way I've found to use the chest roller with these type off devices.
 
gmcttr said:
OK....I could not wait to heal before trying out the RR. I set it up with a short sling to the bridge to place it high enough that I could use a chest roller under it, allowing me to climb one armed.
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Nice, I have never used a chest roller and I know it is one more thing to add but I like how you used it to compensate for your injury! Neat how it tends the RR so well and fits perfectly under the RR sheave to capture the line. It could be useful for those really long ascents in tall trees. Tether/Sling/Chest Harness/Chest Roller.....the picture said it all anyway! THANKS
 
yoyoman said:
Nice, I have never used a chest roller and I know it is one more thing to add but I like how you used it to compensate for your injury! Neat how it tends the RR so well and fits perfectly under the RR sheave to capture the line. It could be useful for those really long ascents in tall trees. Tether/Sling/Chest Harness/Chest Roller.....the picture said it all anyway! THANKS
Click to expand...

Thanks.

A chest roller is definitely an arm saver on long ascents. Especially when you are away from the trunk where you can't put your toes against the tree to help stay vertical.

I've been watching your 'adjustable rope bridge' thread and have been thinking it would be ideal to use instead of the short sling to raise the RR above the roller. The RR or hitch on a HH are at the limits of my reach so I tie off at the top of the ascent and remove the sling to connect the RR in a normal position allowing easy reach and better control. With the adjustable rope bridge, all I would have to do is shorten it without having to unclip from the main climbing line. It would make it very fast and safe to switch back and fore between the two positions.

What's a good rope to use as a bridge with the Roll n Lock?
 
I did a few large white pine removals a few weeks ago using the runner. By the end of the day my rope was really gummed up in a few places. I don't honestly think I would have been able to pass a hitch over it. The runner barely noticed. It just got a bit jerky on the really sticky parts. My gear got so covered in pitch I had to take every biner and bit of rope home over night and wash it. The only pitch that stuck to the runner was where my nasty ass hands had been groping the bird all day. Cleaned that off and the next day it was good to go. This thing is really a great tool. It has taken me a while to really get the feel for descent. But now i am a true convert. Since I got the runner I have not used a hitch. I have been using the bulldog bone as well, but still... No hitches.
 
I finally switched to over the shoulder bungees today, one on the RR and one on the Knee ascender. Wow what a difference that made for me when asecending. I never once had to bump the RR, it followed me up the rope with every step.
 
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These aren't the droids you're looking for :)
 
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