Hi,

Sometimes when I do rigging there are situation where I feel like using a skyhook - e.g. have to stay sideways at a bigger angle from the natural drop or flat wall with no natural steps to get into a stable position. Can you recommend something?

This one looks good to me but based on what I read for similar hooks you might need to hammer it in a crack and then remove it forcefully which sounds cumbersome.

https://www.oliunid.com/bd-black-diamond-pecker-skyhook-progression-hook.html

Most cavers I've seen use something like this but it looks like it has very limited application with this wide nose so I'm more inclined towards the first style:

https://www.oliunid.com/bd-black-diamond-cliffhanger-progression-hook.html?SID=1h9fo8hknb9qsdjfv6ph645tu7

I'm no expert on this, but the most practical I've found so far is a small-radius hook, like this.

Alpine Caving Techniques recommends a large-radius hook (like this), but I like the smaller ones because they are easier to store or carry without being annoying, and the situations where I need it most seem to involve smaller holds anyway.

Black Diamond do an interesting "triangular" skyhook, which I tried before getting the Reglette. It's meant to be more versatile, but I didn't really see much difference between the different hooks in practice.

With any skyhook, care is needed to ensure it doesn't smack you in the face when it peels off. Sometimes I keep one hand over the skyhook just in case.

Mike Hopley said:

With any skyhook, care is needed to ensure it doesn't smack you in the face when it peels off. Sometimes I keep one hand over the skyhook just in case.

Click to expand...

Good tip for the face smacking, thanks

The Pecker will not be much use you to you.

Its not really designed as a sky hook as you say, more to be hammered into very small cracks like a peg.
It will swivel and ping off as it does not have 3 points of contact like a sky hook.

Either the Reglette or a cliff hanger will do you fine.

TheGrave said:

Mike Hopley said:

With any skyhook, care is needed to ensure it doesn't smack you in the face when it peels off. Sometimes I keep one hand over the skyhook just in case.

Click to expand...

Good tip for the face smacking, thanks

Click to expand...

Indeed - good way to lose an eye (although I've not actually ever heard of this happening!).