• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Anyone use this method with a Figure 8?

BowhunterXC

BowhunterXC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2021
Messages
620
Location
N.W. Ohio
I'm going to try this method with my Figure 8, when it warms up and I can get back out.
I like how there's 2 different ways to stop/block the decent. Yet, it's a simple attachment.

Anyone use this method?
What are your thoughts?
 
Take the figure 8 out of the equation and use a super/monster munter with just a carabiner and that's how I do it.
 
Thats what I do. 3 years of it. Practice close to the ground at home for a bit first. I love it but it is possible to slip free of the figure 8.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk
 
Exhumis said:
Check out @phatkaw stuff. Pretty sure he rappels with a figure eight.
Click to expand...

I sold my Safeguard recently and have been out a few times in the last week practicing with the 8 and I use the method that [mention]phatkaw [/mention] shows in his video. It’s simple enough and it doesn’t seem like it has any intentions of slipping when you take those 2 additional “wraps”. I watched another video of any Arborist-looking guy showing the method posted above except he had the big ring on his left, I think. I read through a lot of the comments and the consensus seemed to be that it wasn’t an ideal option. YMMV though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Seems ok but I really think Phatkaws method is more simple and seems more secure...that said I'm still a madrock guy...
 
I have tried it several times, but yet to perfect that method. It seems too slow and there is a ton of noise from the metal to metal contact between the figure 8 and the carabiner.
 
I've played around with this for both progress capture in SRT and for descent in rappelling. To me, good to know for self rescue application. It wasn't ideal for SRT progress capture--it'll work, but you can easily knock the loop off the 8 when progressing. As for descent, again, it'll work but think there are better ways to rig and/or wrap for hands free if that is something you need to pull a platform, steps, etc.
 
BowhunterH2 said:
I'm going to try this method with my Figure 8, when it warms up and I can get back out.
I like how there's 2 different ways to stop/block the decent. Yet, it's a simple attachment.

Anyone use this method?
What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
That is the configuration for ascend mode, NOT rappel. Phatkaws video is showing the proper rappel mode, and when the carabiner is on, there is absolutely no way for your rope to come off the fig 8, in either ascend or rappel.
As for metal to metal contact, yes it's a metal carabiner to a metal figure 8. So what? Safeguards.....they're metal too!
I agree that for the surest way to have no metal to metal contact would be to ascend on a friction hitch, and rappel with said friction hitch and a munter on your carabiner.
It's all about what makes you comfortable....but i think new climbers should try different ideas before just buying a $140 MR safeguard.
And as for ascending on SRT, you're much better off just using a friction hitch, and the best one is the self tending JRB ascender hitch, I've done a bunch of tests this weekend, it really works well, no more separate tenders for me! see John's new video!
 
Last edited:
People hang off just a friction hitch all the time, so when you go to rappel, if you have a friction hitch/autoblock(same thing, varying materials) you should be able to stop hands free without the 2 additional wraps on a figure 8 as well.
 
Figure is my favorite. My old system required untying my hitch eye off the figure 8 and I didn't like that.
Having arborist tools I decided to do the rope wrench and it work real good.
That led me to want to try a Hitch Hiker but too expensive so I made one.
Also works good.

The thing is the average joe isn't going to shell out that kind of money or can make things like this.

In my spare time I revisited my figure 8 to problem solve from a proven system.

In the end I decided this to be my new system. Affordable for all and simple.
One carabiner, one capture carabiner, friction hitch and a figure 8.

The copper hook is for you a capture biner which slack tends one stiking, friction hitch pays out as needed for climb. Then the 8 is installed and added to in this case hook.
Decsend with hitch collaped and release hitch to stop and retrieve stand and stick. Also serves as fall preventer.

Always clipped in, slack a foot or so to add 8 and descend.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20220131-110331_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20220131-110331_Gallery.jpg
    103.9 KB · Views: 59
  • Screenshot_20220131-110336_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20220131-110336_Gallery.jpg
    90.6 KB · Views: 58
  • Screenshot_20220131-110340_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20220131-110340_Gallery.jpg
    91.9 KB · Views: 56
I clibm a little on the aggressive side and pull myself up with rope.
In my old configuration I would grab hold of the figure 8.
So it dawned on me that instead of leaving the 8 on my belt until time to come don, I can install it and use it as my handle.
Now I don't have to slack the line to install it or( I doubt) drop it.

By passing my loop over the 8 thru the big eye it prevents the 8 from slipping as I pull myself up.
To descend just pull out of big eye and click into biner.


Bonus!
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20220131-155738_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20220131-155738_Gallery.jpg
    110.7 KB · Views: 47
I'm not sure what your seeing here.
The climber is on the friction hitch always.
The 8 is just a grab handle and totally optional.
If climbing on a friction hitch is out somebody tell the arborists and probably most of the guys on this board.

I'm in.
 
Bigfoot522 said:
I'm not sure what your seeing here.
The climber is on the friction hitch always.
The 8 is just a grab handle and totally optional.
If climbing on a friction hitch is out somebody tell the arborists and probably most of the guys on this board.

I'm in.
Click to expand...
I think we( phatkaw and I)were talking about the OP's video and setup.
Your setup is perfectly fine. I too use a second friction hitch as a "pull up handle" but I like the fig 8 idea!
 
Sorry. I thought it was directed toward my post.
Also, I didn't think of this sooner so I have to test it tomorrow.
Figure 8s can become deadlocked so they make 8s with horns to prevent this.

So tomorrow I will intentionally set my 8 this way to see if it holds for the same handle use.
It probably will but I probably will stick to the loop thru the eye as it binds the rope very well and shortens my pull handle.
The 8 is easily moved to desired positions and in my case will be installed and removed on the ground as it will be either in service or on stand by for descent.
 
Bigfoot522 said:
Sorry. I thought it was directed toward my post.
Click to expand...

No I was talking about that dudes rigging.

It has the ability to come undone or 'spin out'...

@mtsrunner had a 12 ' or so fall trying that out.


Of course, if a back-up hitch is used you stand a better chance of not crashing to the ground if sumthin goes wrong.
 
@phatkaw how are you backing up your 8? I thought it was one of your posts that had pictures but I can’t find it.
 
ketch22 said:
@phatkaw how are you backing up your 8? I thought it was one of your posts that had pictures but I can’t find it.
Click to expand...

I don't.

When I first started started figuring out my figure eight method I tried a handful of different 'back ups'.
I got familiar enough and confident enough with it that I don't feel the need for one anymore...

I love rappelling from an 8 and I feel right at home in a tree. (or in the rafters of a steel mill, or whatever)
I think anybody that wants a back-up should use a back-up...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top