Rope Wrench Failure

Didn't fix the plate yet. Bing is sending a new plate out to me. As for human crane, looks like I'll be without my boo for most of the summer. He's going down with a hip replacement surgery and won't be back for a bit.

I officially hate my life
 
I heard that in tests the RW was found to hold as much as 70% of the climber's weight when in descent mode. You could call that life support if there was no hitch... but there's a hitch and it's integral to the system.

It should be evident to anyone who uses a RW that the hitch is your life support regardless of whether the Wrench is engaged or in neutral.

It's professional climbing gear. The people who use it should be very familiar with climbing with hitches. The cool thing about the RW is that it allows you to keep using a familiar hitch just like with DdRT.

I pulled my pin halfway out today and studied the configuration. Assuming the pin is heat treated and hardened, it's probably stronger than the cheek plates. If that's true and the pin withdraws partially during descent, the cheek plate would have to bend for the rope to escape... that goes double if you're as plump as Marc.
The fact is though, Marc is fine, he still likes the RW, everything went as expected for a catastrophic device failure. To me, this is reassuring and I'll be wrenching again in the AM.
 
Like all parts of our climbing system, the wrench is no different it NEEDS to be constantly inspected throughout our climbs and especially when using either mid line attachable pin. I try to be as vigilant when climbing as can be and these checks have become second nature no matter what system I am using. I do find that when using the wrench as opposed to Ddrt I tie a slightly more grippy VT adding an extra wrap or braid depending on length and choice of hitch cord. Glad you were not hurt Marc as I am wanting to have an ice cream eating contest with you in the future. ( just kidding, climb safe dude ).
 
I always have a lowering device, as mentioned, the munter hitch on an extra biner. No '8' needed.

I like the low profile and slightly difficult to open slic-pin. While lanyarded to the tree, I use the back side of my handsaw to depress the slic-pin release button that is hard to press with gloves, and sorta without. Seem that the slic-pin is solid, imo.
 
Sean,

I need a pic of how you use your handsaw to trigger the pin.

Off the cuff...I have to ask...why are you bringing your handsaw anywhere near your climbing gear...especially on purpose. Maybe I'm missing something...I hope so.
 
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Sean,

I need a pic of how you use your handsaw to trigger the pin.

Off the cuff...I have to ask...why are you bringing your handsaw anywhere near your climbing gear...especially on purpose. Maybe I'm missing something...I hope so.

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X2
 
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Anyone see the photo that Marc Powell put up on Facebook? His Rope Wrench got bent while climbing on it. Looks like it lost the pin on one cheek plate and side loaded. Strange thing is, Marc says it was the version with the key chain ring keeper for the upper pin. It bent it pretty bad. He's ok thank god. My concern is that this tool is labeled as not life support. It was obviously supporting something to bend it the way it did. Kevin should ask to get the tool back and take a good look at it. He may want to rethink that label.

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Mark Powell as in Davey Tree from Orillia? I know a few of the guys that work there.
 
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