I always thought climbing rated carabiners were a no go for the tether. I was under the impression that dangerous cross loading was a possibility and a steel quick link was a must. I just watched a one stick video by a fellow named Carl where he uses a carabiner with a scaffolding hitch. Any thoughts? I know that alot of us on here risk out of spec use for certain applications. I just wondered what some opinions were and if there’s a carabiner that’s stronger and better suited for this. Thanks
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Carabiner or quick link for tether attachment??
- Thread starter jgss2
- Start date
KYRanger
Well-Known Member
In Carl’s video, he does use a carabiner for his rappelling rope attachment. From what I have read, common opinion is that the carabiner could be placed into a cross loaded position against the tree...more likely on smaller trees. Carl is on a good sized tree but I think most people prefer the strength of the delta link. I use the delta link.
Any reason why delta over oval?
Not saying it's the right choice, but you could contend that the 2 minutes spent screwing/unscrewing the link is time where your tether is essentially unhooked, so less safe.
davecarp
Member
yes... carabiners are not made to be loaded in that manner. FWIW, i'm not sure quick links really are either..
davecarp
Member
yeah I keep coming back to this question too. I think it has to do with the potential for a poachers/scaffold knot folding over an oval link under great tension, where w/ a delta that would be substantially less likely. I'm not sure how likely it is on the oval to be honest.
I am not sure I understand what you mean. Is the idea that it could slide up and pop out of the open hole or what?
I think he means the oval link might possibly get sucked into the knot due to its shape.
Oh I see, and this it would pull out or the knot would be on the nut itself?
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If the oval gets pulled into a scaffold (due to being narrow and taking a fall), then the scaffold knot comes untied and you fall. It hasn't been tested, so I don't know how likely this is, but you can get the oval to start to go into the scaffold just with hand tension (pulling on the standing end of the knot does not tighten the coils, so the knot does not try to resist this naturally as greater tension is applied). For that reason, I use the delta even though I have the oval because no possibility with the wider delta. Where the scaffold knot is really dangerous with this would be tying it so it constricts onto another rope or some webbing. I mention this so that people remember this about certain types of knots: they are trying to self-destruct at all times and something else that is sturdy has to continually stop them.
When you say the oval you mean the short side of the link or the curved part itself? What about on a larger link? I’m only asking as I have one as do a few folks I know and I want us all to be safe.
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EDIT: I confused someone else, I don't use the ovals. The knot will eventually work its way into the narrow end when under pressure with the tether line on the opposite side, which from the perspective of my concern is worst case scenario.
Original message:
Just the narrow end of an oval link like this
The larger the link the better. The 8 mm triangle is only 0.9 ounces heavier.
My caution about this is probably the most controversial thing I've ever wrote here! You'll probably be okay with the oval, but I just feel a lot better about it with the wide triangle with a slight weight/size penalty.
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Do you tie the scaffold knot on the wide end of the triangle or in the point of it?Just the narrow end of an oval link like this
The larger the link the better. The 8 mm triangle is only 0.9 ounces heavier.
My caution about this is probably the most controversial thing I've ever wrote here! You'll probably be okay with the oval, but I just feel a lot better about it with the wide triangle with a slight weight/size penalty.
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I think I was confusing. I won't use those ovals. The knot will always end up in the point.
Doesn’t that completely nullify the advantage of a link by making you pass the entire rope through every time you want to go around a branch? And if you’re going to do that why not just use a figure 8 knot. Why add another piece of rope to the equation. Unless I’m missing something which with my brain is entirely possible. Lol.
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I believe he is using a soft shackle in place of a screw link.