A Prize for Top Technical Tip
- Thread starter Badlad
- Start date
Simon Wilson
New member
Thanks.
I had this idea when I was putting anchors on the last pitch in Rift Pot. I already had a rope on the shorter route which I thought might just be long enough for the new route. The shaft is full of drips and has dark walls so you can't see the floor until you're nearly at the bottom. I couldn't get down the pitch until I'd put the anchors in and when I was putting anchors in near the top I used this device and found out that the rope I had didn't reach the bottom. On the next trip I took more rope and got the the bottom so it saved me a wasted trip.
It's very simple, light to carry and costs nothing because you can pick old number plates up at the side of the road. I think it would be good to have on an expedition. It could also get round the problem of using too long a rope on an unknown pitch.
I had this idea when I was putting anchors on the last pitch in Rift Pot. I already had a rope on the shorter route which I thought might just be long enough for the new route. The shaft is full of drips and has dark walls so you can't see the floor until you're nearly at the bottom. I couldn't get down the pitch until I'd put the anchors in and when I was putting anchors in near the top I used this device and found out that the rope I had didn't reach the bottom. On the next trip I took more rope and got the the bottom so it saved me a wasted trip.
It's very simple, light to carry and costs nothing because you can pick old number plates up at the side of the road. I think it would be good to have on an expedition. It could also get round the problem of using too long a rope on an unknown pitch.
Griffin
New member
Not really a digging, srt or even a technical tip really but maybe worth mentioning.
Like many cavers, I have made up my own first aid kit. I was looking for a lightweight waterproof container that would fit everything inside it but they were either too expensive (when I started caving!), too big, or too small. I know a lot of people chuck a first aid kit in their daren drum, but sometimes I don't want to take a bag that big, or carry a drum. I spotted a cheap plastic beaker in quality save with a rubber seal in the lid and realised it was the perfect size. Also fits a tealight candle and some waterproof matches in the bottom. Small enough to carry in a hip bag, and it floats too
Like many cavers, I have made up my own first aid kit. I was looking for a lightweight waterproof container that would fit everything inside it but they were either too expensive (when I started caving!), too big, or too small. I know a lot of people chuck a first aid kit in their daren drum, but sometimes I don't want to take a bag that big, or carry a drum. I spotted a cheap plastic beaker in quality save with a rubber seal in the lid and realised it was the perfect size. Also fits a tealight candle and some waterproof matches in the bottom. Small enough to carry in a hip bag, and it floats too
cap n chris
Well-known member
That one gets trotted out quite regularly; not entirely sure I buy into the reasoning. If you're going to get hit on the head by falling rock and survive it then the rock needs to be very small or falling a short distance - other dynamics over which you have no control come into play as well. Getting hit on the head sufficient for the cradle space to be critical would be a disaster; you'd have many other things to worry about. An FAK in the cradle space arguably would improve absorbency. Not sure I buy into the reasoning.
Cartwright26
New member
never never ever sneeze in a squeeze
Some testing of that configuration indicated that it weakens the carabiners significantly, due to the side loading of the krabs pushing against each other. Results were dramatic, with the system of two carabiners being weaker than a single carabiner!
Also when testing knots pulling against carabiners, the rope breaks at the loaded strand where it enters the knot, not at the bend on the carabiner.
Furthermore, the radius of the bend doesn't actually get increased, it's the same radius in two 90? bends vs one 180? bend.
Also when testing knots pulling against carabiners, the rope breaks at the loaded strand where it enters the knot, not at the bend on the carabiner.
Furthermore, the radius of the bend doesn't actually get increased, it's the same radius in two 90? bends vs one 180? bend.
andychapm
New member
Fusion knots are good for this sort of thing too. Some cavers abroad are choosing to just use Fusion knots for all things like traverses and pitch heads(apart from when you first tie a rope in or attaching two ropes together). I suppose the trouble is that its a bit more wasteful on the amount of rope used
.I think figure of nine knots always look a bit clunky myself and a bit harder to dress nicely.
I quite like Alpine Butterflies for rebelays as its a nice, simple knot and can load from different directions, which I think could be quite useful with a few people on the rope.
Russian karabiners though, that'll be the next big thing.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH66tGsWv_Y
this post is NOT intended to start any debate about caver fitness // ability etc etc
but - this is a tip : climbing the greasy slab [ bar pot ] the easy way
this assumes there is an SRT rope - not the basic knotted rope
approcach the base of the slab and attach your chest asscender and pantin only to the rope
take 1 // 2 stepps up to get your torso laying fully flat on the greasy slab - then
turn over so you are on your back [ this is because the rope is anchored avove you ]
push your leg out to get the rope straight - and use pantin to push yourself up the slab - using whatever assistance your other limbs can input
then your arms are through the hole detach crhest ascender and wrigle up unto a sitting position then stand
you are now above the greasy slab - with minimal time // effort - 15 seconds tops
[ it took me lest than 30 seconds to explain this to a young lady who also struggles with this manouver - and watch her flawalessly acend with no effort or fuss ]
and can decdide weather to exit bar or SM
thats it
but - this is a tip : climbing the greasy slab [ bar pot ] the easy way
this assumes there is an SRT rope - not the basic knotted rope
approcach the base of the slab and attach your chest asscender and pantin only to the rope
take 1 // 2 stepps up to get your torso laying fully flat on the greasy slab - then
turn over so you are on your back [ this is because the rope is anchored avove you ]
push your leg out to get the rope straight - and use pantin to push yourself up the slab - using whatever assistance your other limbs can input
then your arms are through the hole detach crhest ascender and wrigle up unto a sitting position then stand
you are now above the greasy slab - with minimal time // effort - 15 seconds tops
[ it took me lest than 30 seconds to explain this to a young lady who also struggles with this manouver - and watch her flawalessly acend with no effort or fuss ]
and can decdide weather to exit bar or SM
thats it
Simon Wilson said:Is the rope touching the floor?
This is two pieces cut off a retroreflective number plate, tied together back to back and attached to the rope with 2mm cord. When it's suspended you can't see it from above but as soon as it touches you can see it from a very long distance.
Wish I'd remembered this when doing a pull through, saves using too much rope and spending ages stuffing it all back in the bag again.
Simon Wilson
New member
Make good use of your old rope by giving it to children to play with.