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dlist777

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May 21, 2019
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Thanks for the info Kyle. Is one sticking around branches hard?
 

Country

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2018
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Nice video...curious about that brake setup you've got. I might have to look more into this method.
 

Country

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Jun 7, 2018
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I may end up switching to a dedicated tether, I’m playing with some things. If I do, I’ll just use an ATC sport descender, but same basic layout. The auto brake is nice. I don’t think I’d rappel without it.



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So, you're basically backing up the Madrock with a prussic then?
 

slydog

Active Member
Feb 13, 2019
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Thanks for the video, you explain things so that even I can follow along. Hope you continue to film and post.
 

Ontariofarmer

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Dec 25, 2015
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Maybe a dumb question. But would the prussic be redundant if you had a safeguard instead of a lifeguard


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Country

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Jun 7, 2018
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Nope - It's just an auto block. Your hand acts as a brake normally. But in the event you have to let go, or want to stop and let go, the prussic catches, and holds you in place. You just place your right hand over prussic, and start pulling on the lever with left hand. As you squeeze the prussic and get it started sliding down, you'll begin descending. If you let go with right hand, regardless of how hard you pull lever with left hand, you won't move.
That's a good idea
 

eddiegomes83

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Dec 21, 2018
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Could you still get the rope down even with multiple branches....or only on a straight run with no branches like the one you demonstrated?
 

Mike7688

New Member
May 28, 2019
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Nope - It's just an auto block. Your hand acts as a brake normally. But in the event you have to let go, or want to stop and let go, the prussic catches, and holds you in place. You just place your right hand over prussic, and start pulling on the lever with left hand. As you squeeze the prussic and get it started sliding down, you'll begin descending. If you let go with right hand, regardless of how hard you pull lever with left hand, you won't move.
Do you have a hard time getting your lifeguard to release when it's loaded? I'm struggling rappelling with mine, I find that when I try to use the lever to disengage it it is VERY hard to get it to release and then when it does it goes FAST making for a very jerky descent. any idea what I might be doing wrong?

-Mike
 

Mike7688

New Member
May 28, 2019
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I'm definitely not the expert on rope stuff. But from my experience, I get better results by actually pulling hard to start with my brake hand, then slowly pulling the lever, and easing off tension on my break hand. It's like it was not designed to start descending with no tension - that's when bad stuff happens. I think you can pull all the way and cam that thing over though and override and get it to start flying.

I'd let one of the resident rope experts chime in. But I wouldn't dream of rappelling without an autoblock.

So when you're "easing off tension on your break hand" are you letting the rope slide through your hand? I would love to see a video where you break down how you do it with the auto block if you ever get time. :)
 

fawnzy

Well-Known Member
Jul 4, 2014
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YouTube it. There’s lots of auto block info


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dlist777

Well-Known Member
May 21, 2019
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Kyle, how much does all the repel gear and rope weigh. It seems alot easier than 1 sticking back down
 

dlist777

Well-Known Member
May 21, 2019
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Right now:

1 muddy stick - 2.5lbs
Rappel setup(35' of Sterling HTP 9mm, madrock lifeguard, 2 biners, prussic, screw link) - 2.5lbs
Samson Predator Lineman's/Tether - .6lbs

Total - under 6lbs.

I have a couple of changes I may be making - below is the lightest I could get it with gear on hand

1 custom welded stick - 1.75lbs
Rappel setup (35' Sterling Oplux 8mm, atc sport, 2 biners, prussic, screw link) - 1.75lbs
Sterling Oplux Linemans setup - .4lbs

Total - a shade under 4lbs

This would force me to use the dedicated tether for climbing and while hunting, but could drop a couple pounds. Need to see which way makes more sense.


For reference -

My Treehopper, 4 carbon and 10 titanium rods, Linemans belt and tether weighs 3.8lbs

I want to try 1 sticking with the JX3. Is muddy the best stick for it? I cant find them online...what's my best other option?
 
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Country

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Jun 7, 2018
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Maybe a dumb question. But would the prussic be redundant if you had a safeguard instead of a lifeguard


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I was wondering the same thing, but I think in the safeguard instructions it says something like the device isn't meant to be used as an auto braking/locking device (or something to that effect). It would probably be good redundancy.
 

fawnzy

Well-Known Member
Jul 4, 2014
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Hi Kyler1945,
Why the changes? Wouldn’t the safeguard on the rappel line work like a ropeman1 as far as holding your position at height? Then use it for the descent as well? The ATC is simple but now you need your tether as well as the rappel line. Just curious.


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Turk

New Member
Jan 15, 2019
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Like the title says. Couple of notes:

This is the first time I've used one stick with the hybrid, and first time I've used the method in a while. As you can see I'm pretty rusty. Same with rappel.

I purposely filmed my first climb and descent with the method to give you new guys an idea - I didn't want to film it going perfectly.

The edit in the middle of the video was just while I was hanging out at height. I didn't cut any of the time spent climbing, descending, or packing up. As you can see - it fares about the same as most other climbing methods when you factor all the time together.

I'll probably use this setup some this season.


THANKS SOOOOOO MUCH FOR THE VIDEO...JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!!!
TURK
 
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