Switching between SRS & MRS....

[brydan]

It's always been curious to me how many hobbies pull you in with equipment: fly fishing, climbing, hunting, cycling, motorcycling, etc. Then...the experienced people frequently return to the bare bones for the beauty of the activity.

Anyway...interesting to me.

Having been involved in those same hobbies (except motorcycles) I find it interesting too and actually in the (albeit slow) process of getting rid of all the unnecessary equipment. I went through a major downsizing after a divorce and a lot of "hobby stuff" just got thrown in boxes. Now I'm going through it all and it feels so good to be getting rid of stuff and simplifying everything.

I often think back to when I was young teen and only had one fly rod that got strapped to the top tube of my mtn bike and a little green army bag I picked up at a garage sale slung over my shoulder with a few misc flies and tools. I had a blast because of the adventure not because of the equipment. Try to remind myself of that when the urge hits to buy another gadget....although I did cave recently and pick up an HHXF even though I'm just rec climbing these days, too cool to pass up

 

[Redbud33]

Yesterday I tried footlocking on a short VT Prussic and one carabiner instead of a Klemheist. I stopped and came down on a figure 8.

My question,
Is it technically within our standards to descend on the VT when it’s around a double rope without the figure 8?

Thanks in advance

 

[Redbud33]

Same thing for the Blake’s hitch.
Can I footlock up on it and then put my hand on it and descend if it’s around both legs of rope? Thanks again,
Old School

 

[Muggs]

Yesterday I tried footlocking on a short VT Prussic and one carabiner instead of a Klemheist. I stopped and came down on a figure 8.

My question,
Is it technically within our standards to descend on the VT when it’s around a double rope without the figure 8?

Thanks in advance

I don't trust the VT in that case for grabbing, or descending. I've had a klemheist completely fail around a doubled rope on the way up. Only thing I trust is an English prusik for ascent, or mechanicals. And switch over to something else to come down.

 

[Friedrich]

a hitch will grab better around a thicker or doubled up rope but it‘s still 100% load on the hitch so not advisable to descend on it without added friction.

 

[Mowerr]

Figure 8 with hitch should be fine....same concept as the rope wrench...

 

[Redbud33]

That’s what I like to hear! ;P

 

[Redbud33]

Thanks

 

[Muggs]

I have used a ring and biner to add friction below the hitch in the past. I like it a lot better than the figure eight because it doesn't twist the rope. Just put a bight of rope through the ring and clip the biner into it.

 

[Redbud33]

Awe cool! Thanks.

 

[southsoundtree]

F8-Revolver-y

 

[dspacio]

lot of great ideas in here. I switch fairly often. its nice to ascend quickly on SRT and then have the ease of MRS motion for the remaining climb. A lot of time it's just a necessity if I'd like to do MRS but it's not favorable to isolate a branch for TIP.

Related is that I've been more ready to take a lower TIP, easier toss from the ground, and plan on installing my true system once I get up there. This could be setting a canopy anchor and then advancing a bit before setting a friction saver etc.

It's pretty nice on some days to keep an SRT access line and a MRS that can move easily, centering itself around the portion of the work. Use both, use one or the other, its a good day.
I had two very nice climbs recently, Each involving working very tight, near houses. I kept the SRT high and opposite the work in something strong and the MRS on smaller things local to the action, outside the rigging.

Generally it's felt very worth it to devote a bit more time to my initial climbing setup and enjoy it all day.

 

[Zebco Kid]

HHXF. I’m right with you. A super well thought out piece of kit, and enjoyable to use. You can’t say that about too many pieces of equipment.

Having been involved in those same hobbies (except motorcycles) I find it interesting too and actually in the (albeit slow) process of getting rid of all the unnecessary equipment. I went through a major downsizing after a divorce and a lot of "hobby stuff" just got thrown in boxes. Now I'm going through it all and it feels so good to be getting rid of stuff and simplifying everything.

I often think back to when I was young teen and only had one fly rod that got strapped to the top tube of my mtn bike and a little green army bag I picked up at a garage sale slung over my shoulder with a few misc flies and tools. I had a blast because of the adventure not because of the equipment. Try to remind myself of that when the urge hits to buy another gadget....although I did cave recently and pick up an HHXF even though I'm just rec climbing these days, too cool to pass up