Hi Samouse1
I don’t have a vast amount to add to the really well-thought-out posts above, but I’ll try to contribute a bit more to this really interesting area of caving.
After some personal practice/testing, and a session during our recent CNCC trainers’ meeting, here are some thoughts and findings (I’ll try to avoid repeating points already made above).
This rope requires a lot of practice in a
safe environment before taking it underground. You really need to find a system that works with
your equipment (and body weight).
It will quickly reveal any wear and tear in your kit.
Dull teeth in jammers and worn descender spools — sometimes viewed as a “status symbol” — will cause serious problems with such thin rope.
I tried descending using the Petzl-recommended methods but didn’t feel fully in control (these were only 3 m abseils!).
One thing I noticed was that this rope appears to cause significantly more wear on components where it runs over fixed points.
This was evident on the side plate of the Stop and the friction spur on the frenio when using it as per Petzl’s recommendation.
These were only short abseils on a clean rope — a long pitch with a gritty rope would be concerning.
After trying various methods of threading and adding friction with the Stop, Simple, Freino, Raumer Handy, and Edelrid Bullet, I decided that my current preferred setup (subject to further real-world testing) is to:
Use a Simple threaded normally, with a “C” rig added then passing the rope through my friction crab attached to my central connector with an Italian Hitch.
This gives enough friction for my weight (100 kg with kit) and keeps the rope off the side plates. The twisting effect of the Italian hitch was fine on such a short pitch, though a longer pitch may prove more problematic.
I was also comfortable descending using a “
Super Munter” through my cowstail carabiner. This had the added benefit that, as long as you only looked straight ahead, you could see your cowstail rope and kid yourself that you were on a thick rope!
Ascending was actually very pleasant due to the static nature of the rope — it felt quite reassuring. I suspect that if it were “bouncy,” that feeling would soon disappear.
Areas of Use
I am in full agreement with Samouse1 regarding where this rope could prove useful:
- A short line for setting up hauls/breaking into a loaded line.
Five metres is barely noticeable weight-wise and can be used with a few bits of rescue kit to set up a haul. (Also useful to carry a longer length as a spare rope in certain situations.)
- Pull-through cord.
Used on the pull-down side to save weight. Fairly self-explanatory, and it can also serve as an emergency rope to get you out of a pinch.
- For descent and ascent.
(By certain experienced cavers on appropriate trips.)
To reiterate, this requires lots of prior practice and testing before using it underground. However, in the right situation, and with suitably experienced cavers, this is potentially a very useful bit of kit.
Get yourself a length and have a play — in a safe environment.
Petzl recommended method with a Stop, I personally didn’t get enough friction and felt uncomfortable with the rubbing on the side plate.
Recommended system with a Simple, I found this better regarding friction but still had the side plate rubbing.
My preferred way, showing the extra c rig.
The extra Italian hitch felt comfortable. Twisting of the rope needs management.
Used in a Rig
DISCLAIMER. None of the above is given as official advice, just my personal experience.
