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Rappel Rope Question

A

Aocskasy

New Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2021
Messages
10
Location
Putnam County, NY
I apologize if this is a dumb question but I’m a newbie here. Just got my saddle and plan to climb up using sticks but rappel down (easier/safer than using sticks in the dark). I narrowed my rope choice to Sterling canyon c-iv or HTP static 9mm. Regardless of rope choice- mad rock safeguard if they ever come back in stock. I can’t tell whether one is better than the other for saddle hunting or if it just comes down to personal preference. Also, I can order both ropes with a factory sewn eye. Is that a better option than just using a knot to attach it to a delta quick link? Any advice is appreciated. I’ve been reading everything I can find on this site but it’s a lot of information to take in all at once when you’re just getting started.
 
Just my opinion. Better is subjective as all the equipment listed is sufficient. Yes a factory eye is stronger than a DIY knot. By how much? I have no idea, but it is strong enough for my weight and a 20’ trip down the tree.

Rope preference has a lot to do with feeling in the hand and being knot friendly (not crazy stiff). If you’re budget allows it I’d go with the canyon. Eye vs no eye is up to you. I prefer no eye because having a knot on the quick link keeps it from flopping around.
 
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I was asking the same questions a few weeks ago. I did a lot of research as well. Honestly, my decisions came from seeing what the majority of other people were using because I am a newbie. That being said, I have seen most people go with Canyon C-IV 40’ for their rappel rope using a MadRock Safeguard. I have seen there be a split on some people using their rappel rope as their tether and some using a separate tether and then switching to their rappel rope at the end of the hunt. I purchased extra rope (Canyon Camo Elite from EWO 13’) so I could make a tether to have both options. I’m not sure which route I will go. Most likely I will use a separate tether at first just for peace of mind. But when I start getting more comfortable with the setup (this will be my first year saddle hunting) I may end up switching to rappel rope. We shall see. Make sure you get a gear tie or something to keep the rope from slipping through the delta link. I’ve seen people use nite-ize gear tie, but I also saw a dude use a Neoprene Washer. Which was pretty legit.

I have seen a lot of people choosing Oplux rope but I believe that is 8mm and is not in spec with the Madrock. Still people use the Madrock with it but I’m not taking any chances. The Madrock is in spec with 9mm so that’s why I went with the Canyon C-IV. I got 40’ and it really doesn’t weigh anything. It’s crazy.

I had the same struggle with sewn/spliced vs knots. In the end I went with a knot because they are strong and are able to be changed if needed. Had a few climbers weigh in on the subject and all of them said to use a figure 8 knot with an eye for a tether or lineman’s belt. With a rappel rope I used a scaffold knot because it holds very tight to the delta link so it’s not flopping around. Most people use a scaffold knot on the delta link with a stopper knot on the end for the rappel rope. That is what I did as well. It is very tight and secure. No chance of slipping. Just make sure you tie the scaffold knot correctly or else it will slip. Had to make sure myself.

I decided to use a Schwabisch Hitch with a prusik tender for my lineman’s belt and tether. If you go that route, make sure you get a prusik cord that is at least 2mm smaller than your rope. And that is strong enough. Bluewater Ropes has great prusik cords.

Hopefully that helps some. Good luck this season and stay safe!




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I've used 9mm HTP and 8mm Oplux for the past few seasons and I've been playing with 9mm Canyon C-IV this year. Between the two 9mm ropes, yes the Canyon is stronger but it's also pricier and it handles very similarly to HTP and imo not worth the added expense for what we do. Oplux is still my favorite but didn't want to use out of spec rope with the Safeguard so I went with Canyon and only because I hate the bright neon green color of my HTP.

Do yourself a favor and don't get caught up in the "gotta have the newest trending gadget..." mindset. FWIW, I may ditch the Safeguard and go back to my ATC/ autoblock combo but that is another story.
 
Tr33_n1nj@ said:
I have both 9mm htp and canyon c-iv and, other than color, haven’t noticed a difference in my use.
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Isn’t the C-IV supposed to be water resistant? Couldn’t that could be a factor against the HTP if you’re hunting in rain and your rappel line doubles as your tether?
 
I was caught out in the rain during a few hunts and rappelled down on wet HTP rope without incident. Once I got home I just hung the rope indoors to dry.
 
You'll get a different answer from everybody. Here's mine...

Don't wait for a Madrock! Buy a figure eight. It will save you a bunch of money and you can use whatever rappelling rope you end up with.
Stick to the basics when starting out!

Don't worry about a pre-sewn loop. Get a quick-link and that way you won't have to feed your entire rope through the eye every time you attach and un-attach the rope to the tree.

C-IV and HPT are good ropes.
Oplux and Rescue-Tech and Ultra-Tech are great choices too.
 
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Marmuzz said:
Isn’t the C-IV supposed to be water resistant? Couldn’t that could be a factor against the HTP if you’re hunting in rain and your rappel line doubles as your tether?
Click to expand...
I guess, I use a separate tether so my rappel ropes have never really been out in the rain long enough to matter.
 
Accepting the fact that you'll probably change ropes several times if you're just starting out, I'd suggest the HTP. If you've never rappelled before and are trying to figure things out, get the 10mm as it'll be easier to get hitches and mechanicals set right. Once you're comfortable and confident with it, then decide if you want to spring for more expensive ropes in smaller diameters.

Sewn eye vs. knots, the answer is "it depends". For short lengths of rope, I like sewn eyes but as others have mentioned, tight knots help hold your appliances like quick links.
 
I'm new to rappelling and am using the Canyon elite with a figure eight too. Are you going to use a friction hitch as a back up to the figure eight? I'm curious which cord you are using on the Canyon elite if you are. My TRC and Probe cords bite too much so I ordered a Sterling flex 8 MM cord to try. Since the elite rope measures 10.5 MM I'm thinking it will work better than my smaller Dia. cords.
 
wingnut said:
I'm new to rappelling and am using the Canyon elite with a figure eight too. Are you going to use a friction hitch as a back up to the figure eight? I'm curious which cord you are using on the Canyon elite if you are. My TRC and Probe cords bite too much so I ordered a Sterling flex 8 MM cord to try. Since the elite rope measures 10.5 MM I'm thinking it will work better than my smaller Dia. cords.
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I like the sterling hollow block for my back up
 
It seems the hollowblock should be the go to choice but my probe cord is very similar at 6 mm and made of Technora. It locks up so tight once weighted you really struggle to get it to move. I've tried it tied in the Autoblock and Klemheist hitches with the same result.
 
Interesting. If anything, I've had the opposite problem with autoblocks and klemheists. Have you tried taking a wrap out of it in those cases?
 
I didn't try it with less wraps. I went through this same thing with the probe cord on my Oplux tether tied in a Schwabisch and Distel so I guess I've got that past history that makes me quick to move on and try a different cord. The TRC cord worked well on my tether. I thought it might work well on the elite but not a go.
Are you using Canyon Elite rope.
 
I’m running hollow block on 8mm oplux with a figure 8. In standard configuration with the 8 the autoblock slips ever so slowly when I’m not touching it. I’m talking like you question whether you’re really moving slow. But I also weigh 270 with all my clothes on so there’s that. I can add another wrap to the autoblock and get no slip tho. It’s a great choice for this application but not so great for a primary attachment
 
Sounds like you've got a combination of cord and rope that works well together. This canyon Elite measures 10.5 mm that's why I'm trying a larger hitch cord.
 
phatkaw said:
You'll get a different answer from everybody. Here's mine...

Don't wait for a Madrock! Buy a figure eight. It will save you a bunch of money and you can use whatever rappelling rope you end up with.
Stick to the basics when starting out!

Don't worry about a pre-sewn loop. Get a quick-link and that way you won't have to feed your entire rope through the eye every time you attach and un-attach the rope to the tree.

C-IV and HPT are good ropes.
Oplux and Rescue-Tech and Ultra-Tech are great choices too.
Click to expand...

This!


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