Rapell - figure 8??

[fauxfly]

So I'm a new member here and fascinated with this whole concept - in planning for next season - - I'm thinking of climbing up with my spurs, hunting, then rappelling down on a single rope (similar to flingin's set up) using a figure 8 descender. anybody doing this - this way - I can get a 50' chunk of 9mm assault line which is only a couple pounds, already have a RC harness w/ carabiners. A figure 8 is lightweight also - just wondering if I'm way out there or if this is kinda the methodology for saddle hunting. Nice and light to pack in/out.

I ask because I've been stuck up in my stand a couple minutes after close and here come the does - I'd really like to not spook them out of the area and get back to the ground nice and quiet and quick once they are out of the area...

Thoughts guys???

 

[bigjoe]

I would tell you yes. Guys on here do hunt like this and others have better info. and insight to this method.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[20ftup]

So I'm a new member here and fascinated with this whole concept - in planning for next season - - I'm thinking of climbing up with my spurs, hunting, then rappelling down on a single rope (similar to flingin's set up) using a figure 8 descender. anybody doing this - this way - I can get a 50' chunk of 9mm assault line which is only a couple pounds, already have a RC harness w/ carabiners. A figure 8 is lightweight also - just wondering if I'm way out there or if this is kinda the methodology for saddle hunting. Nice and light to pack in/out.

I ask because I've been stuck up in my stand a couple minutes after close and here come the does - I'd really like to not spook them out of the area and get back to the ground nice and quiet and quick once they are out of the area...

Thoughts guys???

I believe @g2 used the figure 8. I used to use an atc sport for rappelling. It’s simple lightweight and no mechanical parts. Not sure if your comfortable using spurs but if your using a platform spurs are easy to put back on to climb down. I ditched the rappel rope mid last season, although rappelling like a ninja makes you feel like a badass.


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[Wirrex]

I use a sterling ats with 11mm rope that doubles as my tether. I am going to try out some 8mm this year in hopes of packing smaller.

 

[pesqimon]

What saddle are you using? With a Kestrel or Mantis you wouldn’t (necessarily) wear a RCH. But you could rappell off the bridge (shortened or otherwise).

I am playing with a SitDrag and use it with a RCH. I would use a fig8 or my grigri.

 

[Vtbow]

I hate the 8, unless caving, or don't things where your rope gets really dirty, etc. It tends to put a continuous twist through the rope and requires flaking the rope a ton to get it out. I much prefer and atc or tuber style device.

 

[fauxfly]

So the 8 came in the other day - tried it a couple times - just with an 11mm rappel line - I'm about 240 ish on the hoof and I just don't think that 8 provides enough friction...I have to really wrench my brake hand/arm to get the nice slow descend I want.

Any advice - I need more friction or less me!! I Utubed a couple vids on single carabiner rappel and they are pretty interesting. There is a tower climbing guy with a vid on rappelling with a single biner - I like that because then I can loose one more piece of equipment - my 8.

Just wondering what you guys are running into while using these 8's to repel.

 

[Vtbow]

So the 8 came in the other day - tried it a couple times - just with an 11mm rappel line - I'm about 240 ish on the hoof and I just don't think that 8 provides enough friction...I have to really wrench my brake hand/arm to get the nice slow descend I want.

Any advice - I need more friction or less me!! I Utubed a couple vids on single carabiner rappel and they are pretty interesting. There is a tower climbing guy with a vid on rappelling with a single biner - I like that because then I can loose one more piece of equipment - my 8.

Just wondering what you guys are running into while using these 8's to repel.

there are several different ways to wrap the 8 to add or subtract friction. I suggest either checking out the manufacturer website, ot grabbing a bok like "freedom of the hills" which will go through a lot more rope work and techniques.

Again, as I mentioned above, I really dislike the 8 unless in very specific scenarios...

 

[pesqimon]

Do you plan to use 9mm rope or greater? A Grigri2 could replace your prussik on a tether and also be your descent device. That will go as slow as you want. Might require some silencing effort though.

That said, you should be able to control your descent just fine with an 8. Are you using your butt for added friction? There may be other ways to slow down a figure-8.

 

[fauxfly]

I using my 8 with 11mm "assault" line from REI - it was on sale a couple months ago and I like the specs - so I got some. I'm not super happy with it as it goes through the 8 too fast and I decend to quickly. I'll investigate adding friction to the 8, I'm afraid maybe I'm a little too "portly" to use an 8 - hence the posts...

 

[pesqimon]

Hard to find the right picture, but you see how he holds the rope by his butt cheek? This makes the rope drag across your leg, adding friction to slow you down. Are you using a technique like this?

 

[fauxfly]

Hey pesqimon

I'm not really doing it that way. I will try this evening though, to do a rapel with that hold - I did find where you can rig an 8 with two wraps around instead of just one - so going to try that also - Thanks man!!!