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Use Ropeman 1 as an Autoblock?

Thunder81

Thunder81

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2017
Messages
58
Location
Decaturville, TN
So I was thinking the other day that using a Ropeman 1 as an autoblock would be less fiddly than using the hollowblock sling. Of course, this is in a rappel situation. I am going to try this and report back. Does anyone that rappels see any issues with this?
 
I'm not sure if you could keep your hand on the brake rope and release the pressure on the Ropeman at the same time.

It's a cool idea, but an accessory cord auto block is cheaper, lighter, and pretty easy to use. I'm not sure what advantage the Ropeman would give you.
 
When I am in a tree, I like to eliminate as many possible accident situations as possible. The risk to a prusik autoblock is the number of wraps on the climbing rope. If you "mess up" and only do 2 or 3 wraps and don't check autoblock for holdability then you may take a fast ride to the bottom. The ropeman would be easier to "get right", in my opinion.
 
No, definitely not. Don't try it.
There is no slow stop with a Ropeman. It's on or off.
The action of holding it open makes braking unlikely or at least difficult.
You can't really mess up an auto block that bad.

And the Autoblock is a backup. Even a bad one will slow you down and you can make one out of pretty much any strong loop. "Hollow block" works great and is clean (no knots) and stupidly lightweight.

Did you see my post about the ATC Pilot?
I haven't decided if I will keep it or not but it brakes WAY easier than an ATC.
It doesn't work on fat rope though...and sometimes I use fat rope.
 
justsomedude said:
No, definitely not. Don't try it.
There is no slow stop with a Ropeman. It's on or off.
The action of holding it open makes braking unlikely or at least difficult.
You can't really mess up an auto block that bad.

And the Autoblock is a backup. Even a bad one will slow you down and you can make one out of pretty much any strong loop. "Hollow block" works great and is clean (no knots) and stupidly lightweight.

Did you see my post about the ATC Pilot?
I haven't decided if I will keep it or not but it brakes WAY easier than an ATC.
It doesn't work on fat rope though...and sometimes I use fat rope.
Click to expand...
It sure would be a fast ride to the bottom thats for sure!
 
P.S.


I just keep a hollow block or prusik rope clipped to my saddle with an ultralight wire gate carabiner. Takes seconds to hook up.
With a Kestrel, I think I like running the auto block on the bridge loop or maybe the Linesman's Belt loop. That way I don't have to mess with clipping into the leg strap...it just stays there full time
 
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