• 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

Rappelling 101

GTel said:
Any reason that you aren't using the same rope as both tether and rappel line? I'm planning on using the rappel line for both and just connecting autoblock/atc for the way down. Thinking I can hold the prusik (the one I tether to bridge with) loose in left hand as a backup while using right hand on autoblock. This would eliminate needing to swap ropes and always have you connected and under load. Or been there done that and doesn't work?

Sent from up in a tree
Click to expand...

I was planning on using different ropes because I didn’t think my distel would slide right and didn’t want to have to untie it. And because I just bought that setup, dang it!
 
bj139 said:
The manufacturers do not stress the rope size and whether two ropes or one rope is used. The dual port devices can use the smaller rope if two ropes are used because of the greater friction. The single port device points out that with one rope they recommend 9mm diameter minimum. Many people here are going below the manufacturers minimum and taking the risk.

If you have 30 feet of rope there will be a time that you wished you had 40 feet. I have had that happen with my 35 foot rope. The perfect crotch may be a bit higher than you anticipated.
Click to expand...
Ain't that the truth :). I carry 40' of rope and one rifle sit this year I was high enough in a large enough diameter tree that my rappel rope wasn't touching the ground when I started down. From up in the tree it looked to about 3' short. By the time I got to the bottom and had weighted the entire length of rope it stretched to where it was really close to touching so no problems.
 
Tr33_n1nj@ said:
I was planning on using different ropes because I didn’t think my distel would slide right and didn’t want to have to untie it. And because I just bought that setup, dang it!
Click to expand...
I hear ya. I just received the tied loop oplux from wild edge just last week. Then ordered 20' of oplux and learned it was too short for rappelling. Didn't use either of them and ordered 40' of Oplux to replace them both.

Sent from up in a tree
 
boyne bowhunter said:
I carry the ATC Sport as my backup. It works great for me. They just were hard to find for a while and I thought they were discontinued so I just refer to it as an "ATC". This will work well for you. For our purposes there's really no need for the second slot.
Click to expand...
Got my ATC Sport this week; there's a bunch on Amazon and a few other sites. It's a lot larger than I expected. One of the reviews said they liked it better than the double rope models since it doesn't lean to the side from only using one rope, making it a bit easier to use. Will be practicing as soon as I get my length of 40' oplux this week. Didn't want to practice with the 20' in case I want to post it in the classifieds.

Sent from up in a tree
 
GTel said:
Got my ATC Sport this week; there's a bunch on Amazon and a few other sites. It's a lot larger than I expected. One of the reviews said they liked it better than the double rope models since it doesn't lean to the side from only using one rope, making it a bit easier to use. Will be practicing as soon as I get my length of 40' oplux this week. Didn't want to practice with the 20' in case I want to post it in the classifieds.

Sent from up in a tree
Click to expand...
Good luck, I hope you like it. I started practicing with my rappelling rigs tethered in and standing on the ground and just leaning backwards working on controlling my descent until I could repeatedly stop myself with my butt about 3inches off the ground. I then moved up the tree one stick high to get a feel for control. It'll come together quick for you. Enjoy.
 
Chuckdslayer said:
What’s the easiest way to cut Oplux?


I just found 50’ online for $89.00 with free shipping
Click to expand...
Someone else on the site said to wrap the rope in electrical tape where you want to cut, heat up the blade on a pvc cutter with a lighter and slice through the electrical tape. Not sure the reason for the electrical tape though. I have cheaper model of this one for cutting underground sprinkler lines that does the same thing. They also said the line won't melt like standard cord so not to use a lighter to melt the end. The ones that DanO sells come with a nice melted cap on the ends, so might just want to just buy from him at about the same cost so you don't even need to cut it.
611d518fcb852f0f5efdee39a1fc3100.jpg


Sent from up in a tree
 
Great video above. I'm far more comfortable as a novice with a true or rated autoblock and rated locking carabiner as my backup.
 
JCLINE84 said:
I have so many videos I need to make lol. I cant find time to look up with sewing, work and school. I could make one here in the living room real quick just going over the basic setup of rope and components in detail. Might help people understand the original video better. Honestly once you get your rappel setup dialed in you'll use it a lot. I rappel down no matter what climbing method I use. Safer and easier to remove sticks or steps on the way down. Also much easier and safer than spurring or one sticking down.
Click to expand...

That would be awesome man! And I know I speak for all of us when I say I am a huge fan and appreciate the effort you and other folks like Greg and Flingin put in with these videos.
 
Ontariofarmer said:
Exact weight

2 pounds 7.6 oz

Includes
One mad rock safe guard
40 feet of Oplux
An auto block
A screw link
Two carabiners
A Dan O fleece bag
An a biner to attach the bag to my saddle
aa934b63c29992aa6a581864162b4873.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
16f56fa41667a9de8b1aee2bf528c461.jpg
Click to expand...

With your set up Ontario, about how long does it take you to set up, decend and then retrieve your rope from the top? I ask just because I have no concept at all if it is a slower or faster process. For me to put on my spurs and descend is a good amount of time bc I’m much slower going down then climbing up.
 
GTel said:
Any reason that you aren't using the same rope as both tether and rappel line? I'm planning on using the rappel line for both and just connecting autoblock/atc for the way down. Thinking I can hold the prusik (the one I tether to bridge with) loose in left hand as a backup while using right hand on autoblock. This would eliminate needing to swap ropes and always have you connected and under load. Or been there done that and doesn't work?

Sent from up in a tree
Click to expand...

Just buy a grigri or a safeguard or a Guide ATC. They will autoblock for you if you let go.

If your prusik you are talking about is the one you are hanging on it can be near impossible to get started and control. The autoblock setup using a prusik loop below your RCH on a leg loop isn’t under tension and will be easier to manipulate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Ontariofarmer said:
Exact weight

2 pounds 7.6 oz

Includes
One mad rock safe guard
40 feet of Oplux
An auto block
A screw link
Two carabiners
A Dan O fleece bag
An a biner to attach the bag to my saddle
aa934b63c29992aa6a581864162b4873.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
16f56fa41667a9de8b1aee2bf528c461.jpg
Click to expand...

I’m in WMU81. You and I have similar setups. I don’t see the need for the autoblock with the Safeguard and I have a triblok ascender which I connect together with a pulley and my aider to SRT. I also have made a fleece saddle but haven’t tried it outside yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
JCLINE84 said:
About as simple as I can make it without being in a tree. Any questions just ask. Dano is working on a kit for rappelling that will make it easier to get everything you need with one purchase.
Click to expand...
Do you like this method over using your lifeguard?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top