Why you should consider learning how to rappel

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

I‘m not so sure that was the problem, because that’s the only time I’ve ever had that issue. Maybe it was and it was simply exacerbated by the damp rope. As you stated, I have found that the smoothest ride is a balance of lever tension and brake hand tension, vice just one or the other. I definitely don’t yank the handle wide open and solely rely on my brake hand. I prefer a balance.

It would depend on the type of rope you used as well. A technora rope such as oplux would absorb a lot of water and interfere with the displacement of friction between the rope and the safeguard. Plus wet ropes seem to bite a little more anyway. If you were on a 100% polyester rope, it’s doubtful you would have had that problem since it’s hydrophobic.

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

I second

Love the 8, learned on a eared 8 and a rack. Running an 8 sideways is by far the simplest but also requires a degree of understanding and training to use correctly.

In no manner of disrespect, it’s also why I’ll talk up the “idiot-proof” mechanicals over things like advanced hitches and 8’s. Not knowing the level of training and practice, I’d rather promote something simple to operate at the cost of $$$, weight and wear over technical skill and ability.


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I second this statement. Keep it simple. I like the 8 sideways because it makes it easier to pull rope back in if you needed to use it while climbing or rappelling. It is definitely more advanced than using an 8 in standard rappel mode. Same with hitches. All these guys tying WLR, JRB and hitches that are larger or more complex, to only get a little better performance than a simple schwabish or distel. I want a hitch I can tie easily in the dark because you never know when you might have too. Murphy’s law is a peculiar thing

 

[TNSTAAFL]

I second

I second this statement. Keep it simple. I like the 8 sideways because it makes it easier to pull rope back in if you needed to use it while climbing or rappelling. It is definitely more advanced than using an 8 in standard rappel mode.

Is there a video on using an 8 "sideways"?


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[BTaylor]

I second

I second this statement. Keep it simple. I like the 8 sideways because it makes it easier to pull rope back in if you needed to use it while climbing or rappelling. It is definitely more advanced than using an 8 in standard rappel mode. Same with hitches. All these guys tying WLR, JRB and hitches that are larger or more complex, to only get a little better performance than a simple schwabish or distel. I want a hitch I can tie easily in the dark because you never know when you might have too. Murphy’s law is a peculiar thing

I dont disagree with that line of thinking but I also think it is important to develop skills and stop being dependent on an easy button for everything possible.

 

[2Sloe]

Is there a video on using an 8 "sideways"?


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I think it’s the one at 6:15, which he refers to as the “Canyon”.

 

[DroptineKrazy]

A classic example. Yesterday I wanted to try out my WLR hitch to see if I wanted to incorporate it into my system. I bought some 5mm and 6mm accessory cord to try them both out on my Oplux to see which works best. I put my new RDA one stick on my practice tree and climbed up. I also bought the new Wild Line Ropes Featherweight Linesman's Rope that I wanted to try out. Well, the hitch worked just fine but I didn't realize how easy it would actually release while it is weighted so when I gave it a little tug I dropped about a foot really fast. Luckily I had the wherewithal to just let go as I had given this a little bit of thought ahead of time. I was also on my short tether which is for practice in the yard and it is only about 5 ft. long and has a stopper knot so I wasn't really in any danger but I'll tell you what, If that had happened at 20 ft. I would have needed a diaper change

 

[GeoFish]

Is there a video on using an 8 "sideways"?


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Is this it?
I am totally confused.

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

Is there a video on using an 8 "sideways"?


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I haven’t ever made one but I believe there’s an old video from tree climbing ect….. don’t quote me on that though

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

I found it. This video is like 12 years old but this is the set up

Of course with everything back it up with a friction hitch

 

[TNSTAAFL]

I found it. This video is like 12 years old but this is the set up

Of course with everything back it up with a friction hitch

Thanks for finding and sharing. No closeups, so I'm not certain, but this looks just like how a figure 9 works.

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[Fl Canopy Stalker]

I think it’s the one at 6:15, which he refers to as the “Canyon”.

Yes sir that is the connection. Only thing this video didn’t relay was to use it for progress capture, you need to clip your carabiner on the side of the line that is the high side or “anchor side” and not the brake line side. And also that when you use the sit stand method to advance the 8, you can’t use a redirect or the rope won’t bite back over itself (aka you lose hands free progress capture)

 

[Brocky]

I moved away from 8mm Oplux for just this reason. I hunt a lot in wet conditions and one time after a long sit in a steady rain my Oplux was thoroughly saturated. I can best describe the descent with the Madrock as a series of short free falls interrupted by some sudden stops. While there probably wasn't any real threat to my safety it sure felt super sketchy to me. I retired my Oplux rappel line after that and went back to my 11mm Tachyon (which I have comfortably rappelled on with it frozen stiff before) for the rest of the season. I have since moved to the 9mm Canyon Elite for the last two seasons which seems to be more water resistant than the Oplux. I haven't had any issues since.

Sounds like the dry treated core works.

 

[ketch22]

I found it. This video is like 12 years old but this is the set up

Of course with everything back it up with a friction hitch

This actually worked surprisingly well even for my big size. I don’t Know if it would hold or not under a shock load but it’s definitely something to keep in the bank for sure.

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

This actually worked surprisingly well even for my big size. I don’t Know if it would hold or not under a shock load but it’s definitely something to keep in the bank for sure.

I wouldn’t wanna go hands free on the brake line if it were a dynamic load, but it definitely works if you know you’re connection point is secure and you want a cheap, safe way to ascend and rappel the tree.

 

[ketch22]

I wouldn’t wanna go hands free on the brake line if it were a dynamic load, but it definitely works if you know you’re connection point is secure and you want a cheap, safe way to ascend and rappel the tree.

It’s not going to be my go to for ascending, I’m working on my rope/accessory cord a hitch setup now. I may however use this in my rappel with my figure 8. I currently run one the traditional way using the soft and hard lock as needed. i have to do more testing but initial reaction is it’s much easier to stop and go without having to jerk the rope out of the lock positions. More to follow in the coming weeks.

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

It’s not going to be my go to for ascending, I’m working on my rope/accessory cord a hitch setup now. I may however use this in my rappel with my figure 8. I currently run one the traditional way using the soft and hard lock as needed. i have to do more testing but initial reaction is it’s much easier to stop and go without having to jerk the rope out of the lock positions. More to follow in the coming weeks.

Yes sir it’s much nicer than tying off or popping the cord out of “lock” mode