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8 or 9 mm ropes

paxamus

paxamus

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2018
Messages
288
So I’ve been using CNN Oplux for the past three seasons and I’ve got some 9mm canyon elite laying around and I’m thinking about making the switch to 9mm for ease of use with descenders (be it figure 8, ATC, or Grigi+). What do y’all use?


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I like the Canyon Elite for SRT and also use it for linemans and second tether, It works well with a Figure 8 and also with a Safeguard. I use it for a bridge also but have an amsteel bridge ordered but not sure I will switch yet.
 
Was using 8mm RescTech for one-stick/rappel but switching back to 9mm Canyon. Liked the compactness of 8mm but not as easy to tie JRB running hitch and it is stiffer so binds a bit pulling on the exploding hitch at end of climb.
 
I really liked the compactness of the 8mm but without all our gear I’m a good 230 and something about that 9mm just makes me feel better. I know that it’s rated for way more but I think I’m going to run with some 9 for a while


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I kinda have the spectrum. I keep two saddles fully rigged. My lightweight mesh saddle has RescTech and I use CT Roll-N-Locks instead of kong duck or ropeman. I also have 8 mm rappel rope that I use with a figure 8.

On my solid panel saddle, which is heavier, I use some 9 and 10mm ropes with ropeman 1. Typically it’s canyon elite but it does feels larger that my canyon CIV. I also use thes ropes with the Safeguard.

When I tree stand hunt, I tend to grab the 8mm RescTech. Even though I like the other ropes, the reduced bulk is nice.

I keep telling myself to sell some of this stuff and standardize on one thing. I think if I had to choose, I would lean toward the 8mm RescTech or the 9mm Canyon CIV. I think Canyon CIV is hard to beat for its size, weight, compatibility and price although it is a little stiffer. But I find that useful in our application.
 
Last couple years has been resctech. This year I have been climbing on 9mm bluewater protac. I like both but after a few climbs now on the protac, I prefer the resctech just a slight bit more. For me it is easier to tie and release the running jrb hitch with the resctech and it packs a little better being a bit more pliable. That is really nit picking it though.
 
I was running 8mm resc tech until I switched to a madrock. I still ran the 8mm for a while but I had 40 feet of 9mm canyon in the closet brand new so I tried it. I really really like how it runs I like how it’s stiff and easy to work with but I hate the bulk difference 1mm makes. I might change back for the simple fact the 8mm packs better especially this time of the year going miles into the big woods every ounce and every inch counts
 
KYRanger said:
I kinda have the spectrum. I keep two saddles fully rigged. My lightweight mesh saddle has RescTech and I use CT Roll-N-Locks instead of kong duck or ropeman. I also have 8 mm rappel rope that I use with a figure 8.

On my solid panel saddle, which is heavier, I use some 9 and 10mm ropes with ropeman 1. Typically it’s canyon elite but it does feels larger that my canyon CIV. I also use thes ropes with the Safeguard.

When I tree stand hunt, I tend to grab the 8mm RescTech. Even though I like the other ropes, the reduced bulk is nice.

I keep telling myself to sell some of this stuff and standardize on one thing. I think if I had to choose, I would lean toward the 8mm RescTech or the 9mm Canyon CIV. I think Canyon CIV is hard to beat for its size, weight, compatibility and price although it is a little stiffer. But I find that useful in our application.
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I think the same way. I‘m using C-IV as well and I also find the stiffness to be useful sometimes vice a hinderence. I have 70’ of Elite and 40’ of Resc Tech sitting in a bin unused. Really bought them so I could leave a rope in a tree if I wanted to come back in the morning, while still retaining the ability to go somewhere else if I changed my mind overnight. I like the MadRock, so I’m a little hesitant to use the 8mm with it although many say they do. Prolly be fine, but I’m not at a point where I think the savings is worth the risk. Maybe I’ll get around to them one day lol.

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2Sloe said:
I think the same way. I‘m using C-IV as well and I also find the stiffness to be useful sometimes vice a hinderence. I have 70’ of Elite and 40’ of Resc Tech sitting in a bin unused. Really bought them so I could leave a rope in a tree if I wanted to come back in the morning, while still retaining the ability to go somewhere else if I changed my mind overnight. I like the MadRock, so I’m a little hesitant to use the 8mm with it although many say they do. Prolly be fine, but I’m not at a point where I think the savings is worth the risk. Maybe I’ll get around to them one day lol.

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I prefer to stay in spec on the madrock, but it seems to work with the 8mm. Wouldn’t do it wet though. I try to stick with 9mm and above for the madrock. Got the figure 8 for the smaller ropes and plan to make it my preferred device…for all ropes I use. it’s a little lighter, quieter and no moving parts.

Yea, I do similar things since I have several ropes. Sometimes it’s nice if you plan to go to a tree or set within a few days to just leave a rope hanging.
 
I use a bunch of different ropes.
I like stiffish 9mm for tethers and supple 8mm for rappel rope.
 
KYRanger said:
I prefer to stay in spec on the madrock, but it seems to work with the 8mm. Wouldn’t do it wet though. I try to stick with 9mm and above for the madrock. Got the figure 8 for the smaller ropes and plan to make it my preferred device…for all ropes I use. it’s a little lighter, quieter and no moving parts.

Yea, I do similar things since I have several ropes. Sometimes it’s nice if you plan to go to a tree or set within a few days to just leave a rope hanging.
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I hear you, MadRock + wet or damp rope = a scary ride. For me Madrock is too easy and about as safe as it gets so I don’t see a need to do anything else. Figure 8 is simple, but one moment’s inattention and you could be on the ground and I really like to just be able to stop hands free and pick up my stick on the way down.
 
I prefer the 8mm Oplux for packability. C-IV I prefer if I know it’s going to rain all day, but I’ve rappelled with both. 8mm is a little more jerky on rappel when wet.
 
I never thought about the rain & a rappel. I’m definitely switching to 9.


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neonomad said:
I’ve figure 8 rappelled on soaking wet RescTech a number of times, it’s been fine.
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Agree. I wouldn’t stop using it for that, but rappel on C-IV feels smoother when wet. Oplux seems to grab tighter then release more quickly when wet with my rappel method(currently a schwabish over a guide ATC, with a hollow block keeping tension below). When I used a Pirana guide 8 it was a quicker descent but smoother when wet. Either way, if it starts raining I’m not climbing down and going home over it. But if I know it’s a rainy all day sit I’ll grab the C-IV. Bonus points because I don’t have to wait 3 days for it to dry so I can use my preferred(Oplux) rope.
 
I'm currently using C-IV for SRT and Elite for climb/rappel. I really have been trying to stay within spec of the Safeguard, but that 8mm RescTec just looks sooo sexy (and I know it'll pack better). All my tethers/lb/bridges are RescTech, so if I can get over the "out-of-spec" hump...
 
neonomad said:
I’ve figure 8 rappelled on soaking wet RescTech a number of times, it’s been fine.
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I think the point being made is that rappelling on wet 8mm rope in the Madrock Safeguard could be a problem. Rappelling with wet 8mm rope in the Figure 8 can be done safely.
 
Do the 9 mm and be in spec. You’ll be glad when you get rained on. Also, your rope will wear, and get caught on bark, CIV seems more rugged to me than the oplux, and easier to advance the tether due to stiffness. Sounds silly, but the extra mm makes me feel the rope will last a bit longer in real world, “Barky” conditions. My CIV (35-40 ft) fits just fine in my right pouch with a bulky gri gri, so i see no reason to go less bulky. I carry 2 8 mm oplux tethers/linesman (Latitiude originals), 1 with a footloop for rescue, or 2TC. Here the lower bulk matters to me, since i need to fit them both + gear strap in my left pouch. I carry 1 rope 2 many, but sometimes land in sketchy trees/limb passes where i use all of them at some point.
 
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