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Distel or Autoblock loop for rappelling

If you
Cutright said:
Is the safeguard worth the extra money over a figure 8 or a belay devise? I am going to make the jump to rappelling down and am wondering what is the best way to go about it. I would be wanting to stop to retrieve the platform and steps/step. I would like to one stick up, but due to age and back fusion, I’m not sure that is a possibility
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If you’re using multiple steps/sticks, I don’t see the point in rappelling. On the flip side of that, if you can climb using multiple sticks, you can 1-stick. It doesn’t require any additional abilities. Just a little practice. Once you learn to use your tether as leverage, you just lean back into your tether and walk up the tree into your aider and onto the stick....move tether....rinse and repeat.
 
Cutright said:
Is the safeguard worth the extra money over a figure 8 or a belay devise? I am going to make the jump to rappelling down and am wondering what is the best way to go about it. I would be wanting to stop to retrieve the platform and steps/step. I would like to one stick up, but due to age and back fusion, I’m not sure that is a possibility
Click to expand...

I was apprehensive at first, but glad I did buy the safeguard. It is worth it and I feel completes my system. I also use an autoblock as a back up...although not necessary, but just for peace of mind.
 
Cutright said:
Is the safeguard worth the extra money over a figure 8 or a belay devise? I am going to make the jump to rappelling down and am wondering what is the best way to go about it. I would be wanting to stop to retrieve the platform and steps/step. I would like to one stick up, but due to age and back fusion, I’m not sure that is a possibility
Click to expand...

If you think you might want to try ascending the rope at some point you’ll probably want the Safeguard. But if just coming down after hunt probably not worth it unless you are a gadget person.
 
I agree that if just rapelling, an atc or figure 8 is fine. SRT plus rappel is where the Safeguard justifies the price and addition of a mechanical device.
 
Cutright said:
Is there any advantage of the ATC over the figure 8 or vice versa?
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I prefer a figure 8 because I think it is more versatile. You can turn it upside down, put a twist in it and basically have an auto-brake. Many other options. If you go with a rescue 8, you can easily lock it off if you need to stop (retrieve platform, etc).



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Newhunter1 said:
This is my setup.

All ropes are Oplux and all friction hitches are TRC ties in a distel and or a scwabisch hitch. I did tie my TRC using the double fisherman’s knot or poachers knot but I only had a long enough section to tie this without a stopper knot and noticed that the tag end of the knots were getting shorter. Bought 4 foot sections and tied figure 8 loops on each end for an eye to eye and backed each loop with a stopper knot.

Short tether is 10’ and has a distel hitch.
Bridge is 8’ and has a distel hitch with a tender.
Lineman’s belt also has the distel hitch with a tender.
Rappel rope is 52’ and has a Madrock safeguard and once on this rope I back it up with an autoblock that is placed on my right side. It controls my descent as I simply open my madrock and smoothly walk down the tree.


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On the TRC for the distel could you just do two figure 8 knots on each end? I was looking up if there was somewhere that would stitch in an eye on each end of the TRC for the distel but I couldn't find anything, so I figured the figure 8 would be the next best option..
 
DanO said:
Poacher's Knot is what you seek.
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Perfect thank you! Is there advantages to this knot over the figure 8 on a bight? I'm no expert on knots lol. Looks like the poachers tightens down on the carabiner when loaded? I imagine this is ideal for the distel hitch.
 
cpayne07 said:
That was my thought as well. I just liked the knot management of the distel better. Might have to make another order from dano for a Beal jammy.

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Click to expand...
I'm taking note: French prussik, Beal jammy, autoblock...
Are these all the same thing?
 
mtsrunner said:
I prefer a figure 8 because I think it is more versatile. You can turn it upside down, put a twist in it and basically have an auto-brake. Many other options. If you go with a rescue 8, you can easily lock it off if you need to stop (retrieve platform, etc).



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Click to expand...
I just bought a figure 8 and this is exactly what I want to do. Thanks
 
JAYBO said:
I'm taking note: French prussik, Beal jammy, autoblock...
Are these all the same thing?
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French prusik is a type of auto block, probably the most common type. Beal is a brand, jammy is their sewn loop. Google the names and watch a few videos and you'll see the different types of auto blocks/uses.

Sent from up in a tree
 
JAYBO said:
I just bought a figure 8 and this is exactly what I want to do. Thanks
Click to expand...

No problem. I find the MadRock Safeguard to be smoother, but a figure 8 or rescue 8 has no moving parts. As long as you stay focused, it’s pretty much bomb-proof.
 
Did I miss the answer on using a distel as an auto lock that can be managed one handed?

trying to plan out using 35’ oplux as my tether and rappel line. Thought is to use distel for tether until time to descend. Attach LB and transition distel to leg loop or lineman loops. Install ATC, clip in, remove LB start on my way down. Would like to keep from retrying my distel everytime.
 
iamcorey said:
Did I miss the answer on using a distel as an auto lock that can be managed one handed?

trying to plan out using 35’ oplux as my tether and rappel line. Thought is to use distel for tether until time to descend. Attach LB and transition distel to leg loop or lineman loops. Install ATC, clip in, remove LB start on my way down. Would like to keep from retrying my distel everytime.
Click to expand...
Did not think we got a yes or no, but what I found after asking the testing is an autoblock was easier to us. It seems to release smother and bite a bit faster when I needed to stop to remove sticks. So I am using a distel on my 40' feather line and when I am ready to come down I us another loop of cord and carbineer attached below where the ATC will be and clipped to leg loop. Once that is attached I clip in my ATC, put some weight on them to sure up the autoblock knot then I unclip the carbineer form my bridge that is attached to the distel hitch. This way I only ever have to tie my autoblock, and if that cord should fall when settings up to come down I would still have the distel cord on the line. This way also ensures I am always connected to the tree.

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