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!ย
The pull-through cable has been replaced by a Y-hang of stainless chain.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 temporarily connect the chain to the anchors. This also means that at present the ring is parallel to the wall, rather than at 90? as it was originally, but we don't see this is being a massive problem in the short term, though we will try it with a larger connector soon. However they're very expensive for the possibly minor benefit. DCA can't really install fixed ropes under normal circumstances, so this is the most practical, lightweight and least-risk solution for most people.
As can be seen from the photos, the original cable was cutting through at the swage, and wasn't even loaded evenly at rest. In addition, the 'backup' sling was connected to a P-anchor which is loose and can be moved with fingers. That has been tagged temporarily as not to be used. The pull-through anchors themselves felt firm, but they should probably be pull-tested soon as they've been in ages, and are part-loaded axially. The plan is to remove and replace this loose anchor ASAP, if the hole is usable, or nearby if not, so a cowstail can be clipped in. Then a second anchor will be installed further in so that visitors can rig a short rope if they feel it necessary to protect getting on and off the pull-through. We've also installed a brand-new polyprop rope to pull the main rope up, and it works fine through the ring.
So the job will require at least one more return visit soon, so please bear with us, as we all have to fit this in around work and Covid - it's a very tight working space up there, so with the virus restrictions and angle grinders, working in a kneeling passage, it's a little more complex than usual and requires careful selection of workers, and quiet times too. Discussing the installation too much right now is probably not a good idea.
The photos below show the original setup before removal, a close-up of the failing cable, and two shots of the new system. The temporary krabs are good, and so the system can be used now, but there's no reliable backup at present with the tagged anchor. Use at your own discretion! We'll update again as soon as it's complete.