Posted by Tastee-Freeze I think what you have there is called a Bachmann's Hitch, does it look like this?

Yep, that's it

I tie it with the loop around the biner instead of the rope itself though, like so:

I use those too, when I have carabiners available, which I don't always do. The upside is that they're a lot easier on your hands and wrists.

Easier than....a handled ascender???

Posted by Therrin Easier than....a handled ascender???

Not easier, per-sey. But a hell of a lot cheaper.

definitely cheap out on SRT gear.

It really is worth the $50 or so for an ascender!

1.


For $30 you get the cheapest and smallest rope grab you can find.

I usually use my Black Diamond nForce ascenders but this little guy got me out of trouble a few time when i did not have my larger rope grabs with me. Its simple and work like a charm.

Posted by -Rio-

+1

I dont own any of those Tiblocs, but I know a few people that swear by always carrying one at all times on rope. Obviously it's good to carry prussik cords and know how to use them, but I think the tiblocs work very well on icy / muddy rope, and for the price, cant be beat.

Can't argue with that logic, plus they look sexy. I'll look into maybe getting one of those as a brace for taking a break, clip that to your harness with a caribiner and just have a seat.

I might pick up one of the Tiblocs myself. Not for ascending per se, but rather to use to unload my Croll or hand ascender when passing a knot or doing a change-over. A Tibloc and a carabiner with a foot loop would work great. Of course a simple prussic loop would work too.

For ascents less than 200', I like the Frog system. I've not had to ascend any really long drops, but if I had to I would want to look into one of the Rope Walker systems.

Abby Normal

Posted by Abby Normal I might pick up one of the Tiblocs myself. Not for ascending per se, but rather to use to unload my Croll or hand ascender when passing a knot or doing a change-over. A Tibloc and a carabiner with a foot loop would work great. Of course a simple prussic loop would work too. Abby Normal

Exactly what I use mine for except I've been clipping back to my main-biner.

I've actually had two Tiblocs for many years. I even suggested them on here somewhere before.

They're great to either get you out of a jam or for a short ascent, but they aren't the kind of thing to buy for regular use. Their own paperwork even cautions against it. The teeth are pretty aggressive.

I think I've used mine twice, in the last several years.




I can understand people wanting to go for a "low cost" ascending approach (not necessarily just with tiblocs). but, if it's the kind of thing you're going to be doing fairly regularly, you really should think about doling out the money for the "normal" gear. Just like with any other hobby.

I mean, a pair of vice-grips *work* in place of a steering wheel, but just because something "works" doesn't mean that it's what is meant for normal use. =)

Stay sexy, UER.

Posted by Therrin They're great to either get you out of a jam...

That's exactly what I would want it for. Just in case. It's light weight enough that it wouldn't load my pack down, but potentially useful. It would be there along with my extra flashlight and spare batteries. I certainly wouldn't recommend it in place of the proper gear.

Abby

How much is your life worth? Spend accordingly or stay the fuck home.

Posted by junkyard How much is your life worth? Spend accordingly or stay the fuck home.

Eh, that's not really it. Most of the stuff they're using "works" fine. I've ascended a few thousand feet using nothing but prussiks... but it's not very efficient (or as elegant, if you're into that kinda thing).

As long as what you're using is safe, that's fine. My point was just that if you do this often, get the actual gear that's meant for it. It is more comfortable, uses less effort, and is far easier than most of the other ad-hoc methods.


Heck, my original climbing gear was some 1" webbing tied into a harness, 6 non-locking oval carabiners, and a figure 8 descender. I felt pretty awesome having the figure-8 without having to use interwoven biners for my descender.

If you're moving forward with vertical access....move forward with it. Get the gear to match where you're at.

Guess I've always believed in having the right tools for the job. While a vise grips works, so does the correct size wrench, without boring up the head for the next guy, just in case its you. But when someone wants to use a scissors instead of a 9/16........Where do you draw the line?

Posted by junkyard Guess I've always believed in having the right tools for the job. While a vise grips works, so does the correct size wrench, without boring up the head for the next guy, just in case its you. But when someone wants to use a scissors instead of a 9/16........Where do you draw the line?

you don't. it's their line to draw.


Unless it's your rope, then you tell them to fuck off. =) but kindly.

Posted by junkyard How much is your life worth? Spend accordingly or stay the fuck home.

I agree completely. Don't try to be cheap on equipment your life depends on. By the way, I use and love my rope walker. In fact I just had a little session climbing 1600 feet this weekend preparing for my trip to mexico next week where we plan on climbing close to a mile of rope within a span of two weeks. I will try to share some pics.

Do want to put a frog together soon for when I want to be more minimal and lighter. But the rope walker has been just fine for me even for short distances like 70 - 100 feet, and I can really race up the rope in no time.

Posted by Teknical I agree completely. Don't try to be cheap on equipment your life depends on. By the way, I use and love my rope walker. In fact I just had a little session climbing 1600 feet this weekend preparing for my trip to mexico next week where we plan on climbing close to a mile of rope within a span of two weeks. I will try to share some pics. Do want to put a frog together soon for when I want to be more minimal and lighter. But the rope walker has been just fine for me even for short distances like 70 - 100 feet, and I can really race up the rope in no time.

Sounds like it's going to be an amazing trip. That much vertical sounds like a multi-day underground stay? Is this a new ground push or already surveyed?

Abby Normal

On the whole gear thing, I really don't care what configuration someone uses so long as they are proficient in its use and it's not fundamentally unsafe hardware. Right now I'm the only person among my friends using a rack to descend. Everyone else is on a Stop. Stops are fine, but I don't plan on switching.

If someone is unsafe, I don't care what gear they have. I don't want to be around them.

Abby Normal

Of course I've been out with Therrin and Tony, so I'm a bit jaded in my definition of "safe".