DCA Fixed Aids For Pull-Throughs

[DCA]

DCA have adopted a new method for equipping pitches commonly used for pull-through descents. These retrievable abseil anchor systems are comprised of stainless steel chain and maillons. Details of the components and some recommendations for their use can be found on the DCA website at the following link:

Fixed Aids

Fixed aids of any type encountered in caves or mines should be treated with caution and you should be prepared to inspect them prior to use and accept full responsibility for their use.

thedca.org.uk

Although none have been installed at the time of typing this post, the first one is planned to go into Nickergrove Mine on the main shaft this coming Monday (20th April) and will be a direct replacement for the current wire and ring installation.

Cavers who have recently visited Simpson Pot in the Dales will recognise that the new DCA setup is similar to the ones that the CNCC have installed on some of the pitches there, and can be used in the same way.

Please take the time to read the guidance on the DCA website.

Pete Knight
DCA Projects Officer

 

[wellyjen]

A sensible upgrade. Are these going to be used on pull up cord equiped up pitches, like the one to access Pilgrim's Way from Oxlow? If so, are larger maillons planned to prevent snagging?

 

[Pete K]

A sensible upgrade. Are these going to be used on pull up cord equiped up pitches, like the one to access Pilgrim's Way from Oxlow? If so, are larger maillons planned to prevent snagging?

Hi Jen. No specific plans made for replacing the pull-ups yet, but I suspect we'll end up with stainless chain and big steel rings, or massive pear shaped maillons on them. The Pilgrim's Way one has already been changed to a stainless chain, but still has the big ring fitted.

Post in thread 'OXLOW - Safety Warning (Pilgrim's Way)'

Dec 10, 2020

Sorry to disappoint all the ladder purists out there, but this job is already half-completed. Though anyone is welcome to take a suitable rigid ladder down for the job - it won't be DCA! 

The pull-through cable has been replaced by a Y-hang of stainless chain. Sadly the delta maillon we brought to connect the ring to the chain didn't have a wide enough gate opening for the ring, which is at least 12mm, and so the two stainless maillons we brought to connect the chain to the anchors had to be used instead to connect the chain to the ring, with two personal krabs used to...

• DCA

 

[Babyhagrid]

Will the enormous ring in giants be replaced with this?

 

[Pete K]

Will the enormous ring in giants be replaced with this?

At some point I'm sure they both will be.

 

[DCA]

The Nickergrove chain went in today. It sits 15-20cm higher than the old ring, so improves the ease of getting on or off the rope a bit, whilst still retaining a nice angle of around 60 deg on the chain Y hang.
PK