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Tether to rappel changeover

medic8ted

New Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2021
Messages
9
Location
NE Ohio
Never saddle hunted before and have been assembling equipment all winter. I received my ropes yesterday (thanks EWO!!!) and today started practicing 1 stick high (about 3') off the ground (no platform). My plan was to use my rappel line (8mm) as my tether then add in a munter hitch with autoblock to rappel down. My tether consists of a delta link, distel hitch with tender and biner. I was going to add in a munter hitch on a different biner below the distel with autoblock attached to right side linesman loop but I'm having trouble changing over from having all the tension on the distel hitch to having all the tension on the autoblock. It's like I need 3 hands to release the distel and set the autoblock. I tried adding in the munter hitch and using the distel hitch above it to descend but that felt awkward.
Option 1: use a separate tether and use rappel line only to rappel
Option 2: add in a figure 8 instead of munter, tie it off then add the autoblock, untie figure 8 and let autoblock grab then descend.
Option 3: open to suggestions, videos would be great but everyone on YT seems to use a mechanical device
**I'm trying not to use a mechanical device, Madrock Safeguard, GriGri, etc.** since using 8mm rope.

That was hard to explain I hope it makes sense...
 
Once done hunting for the day I attach my linesman's belt and snug it up. I then break free the prusik that attach my bridge to tether/rappel and give it a little slack. Unclip bridge/tether biner, tie monster/super munter and clip back into my bridge. Apply load until munter bites....allow munter out until prusik bites. Disconnect linesman and continue down. The prusik is a backup for the munter
 
Hunting...

Screenshot_20210406-163230_(1).png

Descending....

I have both feet off the ground and u can see the slack in the tail of the rope....the prusik is my break

Screenshot_20210406-163222_(1).png
 
The two hitches seem to share the load. Left hand keeps prusik loose and right hand feeds rope....applying the correct amount of pressure to each makes for easy use
 
That's how I tried it with a munter on a separate biner, it just felt awkward compared to braking with my right hand as I've rappelled before.
 
If you're looking for a non mechanical way of descent I recommend using a figure 8 descender with an autolocking Prussik.
Some itteration of this setup should do you justice. As for me personally I simply use my grigri on 9mm oplux and I sit on my grigri with over 200 hours on it through pouring rain in the salty bay to freezing sleet and snow on the northern borders of the UP. If you have any more questions about anything I've said feel free to ask questions. Good luck on finding your setup.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
 
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