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5.5lb climbing, platforming, & descending package - Solo Scout

Red Beard said:
The top one was a distel hitch. It was my bridge connection. The bottom one is an autoblock (13.5 inch hollowblock). It aids in regulating your decent speed and lets you to go hands-free when retrieving sticks.
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And your clipping the autoblock carabiner to your leg loop since it is supporting almost no weight?
 
FrankNess14 said:
And your clipping the autoblock carabiner to your leg loop since it is supporting almost no weight?
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Clipping the autoblock to my leg... yes. Since it's supporting almost no weight... no.

Your autoblock should be attached to a load-bearing connection point. You'll find some rock climbing harnesses have dedicated loops near the thigh while others don't. In the case your RCH doesn't have a dedicated leg loop, you would extent your rappel runner (going to your ATC) and clip your autoblock to the belay loop as well (below your runner).

Now with the technically correct description for safe use is out of the way... the Aero Evo (my saddle) was made with leg loops that are load bearing and I attach my autoblock to one of those. If your saddle isn't an Evo (I feel sad for you ;)), your lineman's loop *MAY* be an acceptable place to locate your autoblock. I would check with your manufacturer for their recommendation before attempting to use them this way. :)
 
Hanging from an ATC, I measured the force on the loose end of the rope required to hold me using a spring scale. It was less than 10 lbs. That is why you can just use one hand to control your descent. So, your attachment point must hold 10 lbs. I clip anywhere on a saddle so that the autoblock knot won't hit the ATC and release. 10 lbs. is nothing.
 
bj139 said:
Hanging from an ATC, I measured the force on the loose end of the rope required to hold me using a spring scale. It was less than 10 lbs. That is why you can just use one hand to control your descent. So, your attachment point must hold 10 lbs. I clip anywhere on a saddle so that the autoblock knot won't hit the ATC and release. 10 lbs. is nothing.
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I'm going to respectfully disagree. 10lbs of pressure may be needed to "hold you" in place from a gentle/controlled loading of your autoblock. However, the issue isn't the ability of the autoblock to catch correctly and tighten on your main line thus holding you in place... the issue is the integrity of the bit of material (and stitching) that you attached your autoblock to. The issue is the possibility of that material giving way in the event it is momentarily shock loaded. Anything used to hold you in place while you are suspended on a rope should be load bearing... period.

Please don't trust a single-stitched molle loop or piece of 550 cord attached to your belt to hold you up.
 
Red Beard said:
Clipping the autoblock to my leg... yes. Since it's supporting almost no weight... no.

Your autoblock should be attached to a load-bearing connection point. You'll find some rock climbing harnesses have dedicated loops near the thigh while others don't. In the case your RCH doesn't have a dedicated leg loop, you would extent your rappel runner (going to your ATC) and clip your autoblock to the belay loop as well (below your runner).

Now with the technically correct description for safe use is out of the way... the Aero Evo (my saddle) was made with leg loops that are load bearing and I attach my autoblock to one of those. If your saddle isn't an Evo (I feel sad for you ;)), your lineman's loop *MAY* be an acceptable place to locate your autoblock. I would check with your manufacturer for their recommendation before attempting to use them this way. :)
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If your linesman's loop will not hold the autoblock there is NO WAY it would hold your weight with a linesmans belt in a fall. It would be utterly useless to have on your saddle.
 
bj139 said:
If your linesman's loop will not hold the autoblock there is NO WAY it would hold your weight with a linesmans belt in a fall. It would be utterly useless to have on your saddle.
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Herein lies the rub sir. I didn't question the ability of the lineman's loops to perform as intended by the manufacturer. I only recommended verifying with the manufacturer that it would function correctly in this particular application.

You however, promoted the use of an attachment point ANYWHERE "on a saddle so that the autoblock knot won't hit the ATC and release" because "your attachment point must hold 10 lbs." and "10 lbs. is nothing."

I'm truly not trying to be snarky BJ. I'm only trying to clarify for folks like @FrankNess14 who self admittedly doesn't have much experience with rappelling.
 
bj139 said:
Hanging from an ATC, I measured the force on the loose end of the rope required to hold me using a spring scale. It was less than 10 lbs. That is why you can just use one hand to control your descent. So, your attachment point must hold 10 lbs. I clip anywhere on a saddle so that the autoblock knot won't hit the ATC and release. 10 lbs. is nothing.
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Do you think it would take more than 10lbs to 'belay' a falling rappeler? I remember being taught to use my full body weight to stop someone that 'let go' of the rope during rappels. You could probably get away with less but I don't want to be the test dummy. There is also the factor of stopping the dynamic event.

In the real world there is also the failure mode that the autoblock stays wrapped around the rope and balls up in the descending device and stops you from hitting the ground. Another tether/ main line would be needed to get down.

I use my linesman loop as a tie off point for my autoblock, its a 'rated' loop and its really in the right spot also.
 
I only posted what I found through actual testing. Whatever the individual decides is up to them. I can hold 10 lbs easily with one hand. I don't know about others. I was paid for 30 years to give my scientific opinion by the US government and private industry. That is the only qualification I have.
 
smcchevy said:
Do you think it would take more than 10lbs to 'belay' a falling rappeler? I remember being taught to use my full body weight to stop someone that 'let go' of the rope during rappels. You could probably get away with less but I don't want to be the test dummy. There is also the factor of stopping the dynamic event.

In the real world there is also the failure mode that the autoblock stays wrapped around the rope and balls up in the descending device and stops you from hitting the ground. Another tether/ main line would be needed to get down.

I use my linesman loop as a tie off point for my autoblock, its a 'rated' loop and its really in the right spot also.
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I don't know if it would take more than 10 lbs to belay a falling rappeler. I do know the largest force would be absorbed by the belay device and its attachment. That attachment point better be full strength. People stop falling climbers every day with one hand on the free end of the line. They are not body builders. This is the truth. I saw it on Youtube. ;)
 
Chickenhawk said:
Seriously, what's the pack weigh???
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Weight is negligible since I only have it on for about 12 seconds. Goes something like this...

1. Ride up to hunting location on R1200R.
2. Initiate vertical thrust on jetpack until optimum altitude is achieved.
3. Jettison pack by unclipping AustriAlpin belt buckle and jetpack returns to R1200R via auto-glide homing.
4. Deploy biodegradable ram-air parachute and navigate to pre-selected tree. **Side note - you can really see what the thermals are doing from up there!
5. Remove tether/rappel rope from water bottle pouch and ready using lasso configuration.
6. Detach parachute when Crocs are 5' above target tree.
7. Lasso crown of trunk and brace for bumpy ride to desired hunting height.
8. Grin as deer walk the unadulterated woods below without any clue you're even there.

#nomoregrounddisturbance
#wasntthatafunride
#ohyeahitsgoingtohappenoneday
 
Nice job man but your saddle shouldn't outweigh your climbing method, pack and platform combined! Keeping it real....jetpack probably lighter than that Evo... :tearsofjoy:
 
Red Beard said:
One needs not defend the mighty Evo. Those who have beheld its glory fully understand.
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Hahaha believe it or not, I have actually beheld the Evo's glory personally!:cool: ........and promptly sold it after receiving the Kestrel. It was definitely a nice saddle, with adjustment out the wazoo for those who require it. Just too much going on for me.

I'm just thrilled that we have so many options available to us in the saddle hunting community anymore that everyone can find something that works for them and you have definitely done that.... Awesome setup you have going.
 
As a newbie saddle hunter I was never able to figure out how to properly adjust the EVO to get comfortable. After several years of experience, I broke the thing out again this summer and was able to dial it in inside 5 minutes now that I knew what I nhad to adjust to achieve comfort. What a comfortable saddle, just a little too bulky for me now.
 
boyne bowhunter said:
As a newbie saddle hunter I was never able to figure out how to properly adjust the EVO to get comfortable. After several years of experience, I broke the thing out again this summer and was able to dial it in inside 5 minutes now that I knew what I nhad to adjust to achieve comfort. What a comfortable saddle, just a little too bulky for me now.
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Good point boyne and I should have pointed out for clarification that it wasn't a comfort issue for me, the EVO is plenty comfortable. I pack my saddle in often and seem to be comfortable in nearly any saddle, so the EVO was just more saddle than I need to get the job done.
 
Jasper2 said:
Good point boyne and I should have pointed out for clarification that it wasn't a comfort issue for me, the EVO is plenty comfortable. I pack my saddle in often and seem to be comfortable in nearly any saddle, so the EVO was just more saddle than I need to get the job done.
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Stop talking about the EVO you're making me want to get one from someone especially because of the climb rated leg straps for rappeling.
 
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