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Figure 8 questions: First timer

MaxKE

MaxKE

New Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2022
Messages
35
I've been one sticking with my Madrock the last few weeks. I ascend, using my rappel rope as my tether.

I was thinking of trying a figure 8 and had a few questions
  • Ascending: Would I use a standard tether (with a prussic) and keep my C-IV stashed away until it's time to rappel?

  • Descending: Does the Figure 8 give you any "auto stop/braking" ? Or do you rely on an Autoblock on one of your linesmen for this ?
 
MaxKE said:
I've been one sticking with my Madrock the last few weeks. I ascend, using my rappel rope as my tether.

I was thinking of trying a figure 8 and had a few questions
  • Ascending: Would I use a standard tether (with a prussic)
Click to expand...

A normal Prusik is really tough to adjust after you've had your weight on it for a while!
There are a shipload of better friction hitches that you can use on your tether.

Do some searching on here and read about them and learn to tie a handful and practice with them from the ground.
 
MaxKE said:
Is it recommended to back up the figure 8 at all?
Click to expand...

Most guys do. Some do not.
I don’t. I've rappelled a zillion times with the above mentioned method and I am really comfortable climbing and at heights and I know my capabilities and feel no need to back up 'the phatkaw method'.

I would recommend it in the beginning...
 
Last edited:
Lots of good info in the OG [mention]phatkaw [/mention] thread on his figure 8 method.

Someone’s gotta say it, so I will….Munter for the win!!!
 
If I remember right the double Munter didn't twist my rope.
Maybe it was the super Munter? Or both?

I'm not really heavy enough for the super Munter though, I just barely creep down the rope on it... :sleeping:
 
Super/monster the rope doesn't twist like a single munter.... It's still twists but it takes 20 or 30 rappels for u to even notice if u keep the tail end of the rope in a pouch and never let it dangle down. I don't climb high majority of the time so half my rope never comes out of the pouch...all the "twist" in the rope caused by the monster munter slowly gets built up over time. Usually good for a whole season before I need to take it all out and let the rope untwist

Besides the obvious advantage of virtually no rope twist I like the extra friction of the monster so my break/back up friction hitch sees very little load and super easy to break free after stopping to remove my platform.

I use a single/regular munter if my rope is wet because wet rope with the monster and I barely move
 
MaxKE said:
I've been one sticking with my Madrock the last few weeks. I ascend, using my rappel rope as my tether.

I was thinking of trying a figure 8 and had a few questions
  • Ascending: Would I use a standard tether (with a prussic) and keep my C-IV stashed away until it's time to rappel?

  • Descending: Does the Figure 8 give you any "auto stop/braking" ? Or do you rely on an Autoblock on one of your linesmen for this ?
Click to expand...
I 1-sticked this year. I climbed on my C-IV rappel line/Sticht hitch. I tend out my slack at every step, and when I've climbed to the point my friction hitch is at my delta link, I set my tether, re-set my rap line, and continue climbing. At height, I hang from my tether, and put my Figure-8 (on a 2' sling) above my Sticht, on my rappel line. I tend the Sticht as I rappel, so it acts as my backup.
Lots of rock climbing resources on autoblocks aka "third hand" setups, as well as figure-8 on a sling. Note that I'm climbing in an RCH+Drey; if I were climbing in my Recon I'd use my short bridge and long bridge in the same way as my belay loop and sling.
 
Yep
phatkaw said:
^^^ If I read that right you use your rappel rope AND a tether?
Click to expand...
Yep. At height I hang from the tether. I could detach my rappel rope, but it's not in the way with a few feet of slack tended in, and I like having an emergency descent option.
 
I have come to like climbing and hunting with knut hitch to bridge with backup autoblock on LM. Less metal to bang on stick or platform when climbing and can easily rappel with this if something goes wrong along the way. Sometimes climb with ATC pilot instead of knut but when hunting it restricts ability to rotate in saddle w/ autoblock attached to LM. Use the ATC pilot to rappel at end of hunt and keep the autoblock attached to LM throughout hunt, never can be too safe. Million ways to skin a cat just keep experimenting to find your sweet spot and you'll have also learned other backup options to carry in your pack should you drop or lose something along the way.
 
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