Simply SRT

fastlil1

fastlil1

Location
Wisconsin, USA
So I hear a lot about SRT and have always been interested, and now I have finally broken down and want to become part of the SRT camp. With that, I don't have a lot of money to be spending on extra gear, especially gear I am not sure if I will like. So what is a good, fairly cheap set up to get me started in the SRT world?
Thanks all, be safe.
 
SRT for access or a working system?

I'll bet that you already have many of the pieces of hardware to setup a functioning access system. What bits and pieces of gear do you have now?
 
Friend of mine set me up with a simple system. I never wanted to be bothered until he showed me.

Pantin, Handled Ascender, Static line, and an ISC Rocker for a backup. Simple and safe.
 
I have been using my line with a leather cambium saver installed. Just throw it over a limb, then anchor it to the base or to another tree or anchor(truck hitch, ground stake system, etc). Which is another thread that has some good ideas in it as to anchoring an SRT rope, I think its called SRT anchor or setup or something like that. I will be upgrading to a ring+ring friction saver or something like that soon.

As for hardware, it varies with what you have and want to have. Handled ascenders, chest ascender, footloops, grigri, foot ascender, the list goes on. Best bet is to find a shop or fellow climber nearby and get some "eyes on" research into what would work for you.
 
Shawn. One of the advantages of using SRT for access is that since to rope is rigged staticallly there is very little chafing of it or the tree's bark. The place to use that new friction saver will be after you get up in the tree and want to tie in with a trad DdRT system.
As for basic SRT- the most basic of all is 2 prusik cords rigged in a Texas System. It really works and is really simple....but it doesn't make access EASY. To make it fast and ergonomic mechanical devices go a long way.Among the most basic would be a single handled ascender and a self tending hitch of some sort... but a foot ascender (such as a Pantin) and a chest ascender (like the Croll or some other non handled ascender) combined with a handled ascender smooths things out. Probably on of the best things to do is get a copy of On Rope. Reading your way through the systems and loking at the drawings will begin to open your eyes to the multitudes of possibilities. ( Of cource this forum is another treemendous resource.)
 
a pantin is a wonderful thing to own because its not only nice to use while doing srt, but can also be employed for drt as well for drawing slack out of your line, this is pretty nice when it comes to smaller hauls when srt isnt exactly a practical solution but you dont want to body thrust either, if you use a pulley in your set up to tend slack then all you need to do is engage your pantin and pull your self up and let your leg take out the slack.

as for the croll chest ascender, its nice but can be a little costly, i made my own chest ascender out of my ropeman ascender, a cmi strap and an old eye to eye prusik that actually works quite well as a nice back up ascender to your hand ascender and there is no need to wear suspenders for it which helps cut back on cost and equipment
 
You can SRT effectively with a RADS or YoYo system with a rope, a Grigri or even better an I'D, a handled ascender, and some cordage for foot loops.

While there are more efficient ways to climb than the RADS, i.e. requires less energy expenditure in the climbing effort, you will eventually reach a point where you need to do up and downs or in and outs, and at that point you'll need a device that allows you to move up and down the rope without constantly switching gear. The RADS provides about the most cost effective way of doing that.

A Pantin is not required, a chest ascender is not required, and a chest harness to hold and advance the chest ascender is not required. So if getting started at minimum cost is primary, the RADS is a good way to go, probably the only thing you'll need is the GriGri or I'D and some 7-8mm cord for foot loops. Be aware if you go the I'D route, which I believe is far better, it comes in two sizes. Be sure you get the size to fit your rope.

The GriGri is spec'd for 11mm rope max. but I know a lot of people use it with 1/2" rope. I can't speak to the wisdom of that because they've been doing it for a long time. Although, I have heard of a GriGri slipping and I can't help but wonder if the over size rope interferes with the design of the GriGri.

Even with all the gear I have, and all the techniques I have experimented with, I find the RADS to be as useful as any, less equipment intense, and extremely simple to go up and down on.
 
Familytree,

The Ropeman has fallen out of favor as a rope tool. The concept is wonderful of course. In testing it was found to damage ropes at loads that are low enough to make it less desirable.

Ron and I have discussed the I'd and Eddy in other threads. My preference now is the Eddy.
 
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Familytree,
...Ron and I have discussed the I'd and Eddy in other threads. My preference now is the Eddy.

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Yep, I was hoping you'd mention the Eddy. I haven't even seen one so I didn't mention it. I am eager to try out an Eddy if I get the opportunity.

I will say though, I sure like the ability to lock off the I'D and install/uninstall it on the rope without disconnecting it from the saddle. It also has that little rope grab if you should thread the rope through it backwards. But the I'D is pretty big; I haven't found that to be more than an inconvenience at times, but it is kinda big.
 
i dont know what ropes you guys have been testing the ropeman on but ive yet to see or find a problem with it on my poison ivy or velocity, it works the same as my microcender but much small, and i have it as a back up with a vt knot attached, its not a primary, but thanks for the warning, if i see anything ill let ya know
 
I just got my eddy last week and love it. I am not sure if I'll go back to traditional drt. The simplest single line is a handled ascender and pantin. Not much money and very versatile. Back it up with a prussik above and you're ready to access.
 
I understand the Pantin, but doesn't that mean the handled ascender has to attach to the saddle? And if that's true, don't you have to do all your climbing with one leg?

Then when you get into position, how do you do up/downs and in/outs without a Grigri, I'D, or Eddy type device?

If the a Grigri type device is used, be it an I'D or Eddy, or GriGri, only an ascender is needed and either both or one leg can be used for ascending. To descend, you just remove the ascender and pull the handle on the GriGri.
 
1 hand ascender with an adjustable tether attached to your saddle, backed up above with a french prussik or some kind of device you can take off easily. Pantin on the right foot. I've just added a footstrap on the other foot, attached to the hand ascender. With 1 more ascender it will be even easier. I just ascend, lanyard in, and if the work is not too complicated just have the rope untied at the ground and then re-set it as a doubled rope and go to work. I have seen the 2 handled ascender but think 2 individual ones will be more ergonomic.
 
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I have seen the 2 handled ascender but think 2 individual ones will be more ergonomic.

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I've tried that, but didn't like it. The two single-handled ascenders just got in each other's way.
 
With the pantin you can put your left foot on top of it as you go up if you're using just a basic handled ascender pantin combo with a prussik back up. That way you're pushing with both legs and it's much similar to footlocking except no hassle of locking the rope.
 
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