Solution to ring/ring FS dilema.

[TLHamel]

I like the idea of a Rope Guide but I prefer the feel of a ring/ring friction saver. An adjustable r/r FS set up in this fashion...
http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/images/upload/73231-Rec060LargeWebview.jpg
...is well suited to working on, or descending from, a spar. Not so great for small diameter limbs or when a lot of movement is necessary. Say I want to use a standard, or adjustable r/r FS in a choker setup. (No crotch is available or only tight crotches, included bark etc.) How do I set it up and how to retrieve it?

Forgive me if this has already been demonstrated, I personally have not seen it done yet...

 

[TLHamel]

Rope installed.

 

[TLHamel]

To retrieve, attach RG ball or similar to rope eye.

 

[TLHamel]

Passes through rings, catches on clevis. Just like the RG.

 

[TLHamel]

Pull. Some tugging and/or wiggling may be in order.

 

[TLHamel]

Yay!!!

Retrieval results have been excellent. My initial thought was that the device would bind-up upon retrieval, given there is not a solid interface for the ring legs to choke against/run through (as in the RG). So far this hasn't been a problem. I would be less than confident of retrieval however, if using this method in situations where a direct line from canopy to ground cannot be maintained (lots of spirals around the trunk), or when set in a "crowded/cluttered" area of the canopy. I have not tested retrieval from these scenarios yet.

 

[Peter McS]

Nice little setup. I will stick with the rope-guide, or similar friction savers with a pulley, to give me a decent bend radius on your climbing rope.

 

[Mahk_Adams]

Great idea! Seems that it would work well where there is no crotch. On the other hand I don't think you could retrieve it from a tight crotch, but you could set it up just below a tight crotch.

Seems that you could also set up a rope AFC (adjustable false crotch) to do the same thing. A longer length would make it easier to get the girth hitch out.

[ QUOTE ]
My initial thought was that the device would bind-up upon retrieval, given there is not a solid interface for the ring legs to choke against/run through (as in the RG).

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure what you mean by this.

If you want just ring to ring friction on a spar or small stem where there is no crotch you can also make a full turn around the spar with AFC. Make sure the big ring is on top and adjust so that the rings are next to each other.

 

[cory]

Isn't the bend radius on the r/r FS the same or greater than that of the rope guide??

It's also interesting that the recommended bend radius for a 1/2" rope is 2 inches (4 to 1), and none of the friction savers/rope guides provide that....you can only get that using natural crotches.

 

[rich_h]

Nice idea, and thanks for sharing it !!!

I wonder if it would retrieve a little easier out of tighter branch attachments if it were made of 16 strand instead of the webbing? May not make any difference, but it may also choke down a little tighter that way on the spar. Of coarse it may roll down the spar as well....don't mind me just thinking out loud. Can't wait to give this one a try.

 

[TLHamel]

In the pics I have my Bluestreak AFS set up below the webbing FS. Both retrieve easily. I can post a photo of the AFS retrieval later.

 

[TreeCo]

Great idea TL!

I don't own a RG and likely never will.

If two large rings were used to make an AFS do you think it could be retreived with just a knot in the rope? I perfer the way knots cinch down on biners and don't use splices in my climbing line. Your idea on retrieval also opens up the possibility of two small rings being a working concept for an AFS(I think!).

 

[TLHamel]

If you don't have a splice in your climbing line you can still use a retrieval ball. With a longer cord, prussik it near the end of the rope.

 

[TLHamel]

Here's the AFS. Even with the knots, it retrieves well... so far.

What I mean by solid interface...
On a Rope Guide the pulley passes through a ring. On a choked FS, the rings pass through webbing (or rope). I figured the rings may have the tendency to catch or hang up as they cross through the webbing upon retrieval, as opposed to crossing through a solid piece.

 

[NickfromWI]

Very nice idea. My preference is the webbing friction saver girth hitched to the limb.

If it's girth hitched, it doesn't need to be adjustable, does it?

I'm glad I saw this today!

love
nick