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Rappelling on accessory cord

Fairchild#17 said:
Most people ask questions hoping somebody else has already researched the topic and can suggest something or point them in the right direction.
You have a reputable company selling products that fall under the category of what I'm asking about. I'm simply asking if anyone has personal experience with it.

Is it OK to ask here about tethers, saddles, treestands, platforms, steps, carabiners, aiders, climbing methods............Afterall it's asking dudes on the internet about things our lives depend on.
Do you ask people here first or do you immediately get on the phone with the manufacturers? One of those people, eh?
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You’re not asking about something within the margins of normal every day dude safe stuff. You’re asking about pushing limits. Yeh - I’m that dude. I’m the fun police around here. Proud badge wearer.

I also do crazy risky stuff all the time. What I have found in paying attention to it, is that a false sense of security from the beginning is what gets most people hurt. As in Asking unqualified people “Is this a good idea?” And getting a yes - you preset your brain to be biased towards underestimating risks associated with that idea. Maybe for the one time you do the thing, it’s fine. But with the internet, and other people being able to read your post, and then do the same thing - the risk isn’t additive, it’s multiplicative.

forgive my negativity. And straight shooting. And being “that guy” - but it’s not just about you. But it is about you, and I’m making the comment because I don’t want to see you get hurt. And I want to see you get better at figuring out how not to get hurt. if that offends you, I can’t help you.

Did you happen to notice I also gave you an option to use smaller rope that meets your criteria? And some reasons why I thought it wasn’t worth it that might be applicable to you? Try turning off the offense button, and you’ll see some good stuff hidden in the words!
 
Fairchild#17 said:
Most people ask questions hoping somebody else has already researched the topic and can suggest something or point them in the right direction.
You have a reputable company selling products that fall under the category of what I'm asking about. I'm simply asking if anyone has personal experience with it.

Is it OK to ask here about tethers, saddles, treestands, platforms, steps, carabiners, aiders, climbing methods............Afterall it's asking dudes on the internet about things our lives depend on.
Do you ask people here first or do you immediately get on the phone with the manufacturers? One of those people, eh?
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So I just texted my buddy that rock climbs. Him and his wife have been climbing for years.

He said before they had their daughter they would go deep back country to rock climb and they would carry a 5mm “cord” as back up in case of an emergency. Luckily they never had to use it during those trips.

Carrying 40’ of 12mm rope is no biggie for us but they haul in hundreds of feet of rope so they had the 5mm as an emergency use only rather than another couple hundred feet of 10mm rope.
 

Rappell Question

I prefer an atc on an extension with an autoblock backup bar none for single or double line rappels. Easier to slingshot off of, work with both static and dynamic, simple, light, easy to add 3:1 or other high angle rescue setups to the system without untying, nothing mechanical you're relying...
saddlehunter.com

Like you, I researched this topic. Like you, I asked people here.When I go back and look at the thread, it is obvious to me why it is a bad idea to go about it that way. I’m not judging you buddy. I’m just like you. Just here to help.
 
MAXIM - 5 MM TECH CORD - BY THE FOOT

Maxim's 5 mm Tech Cord is the lightest cordelette or chock cord available. Made from superior Technora fibers, Tech Cord boasts a whopping 5000 lbs. tensile strength (50% stronger than Spectra) and a melting point of 932 degrees. The soft, supple hand makes Tech Cord the perfect choice for balancing anchors and slinging chocks and hexes. This cord should be tied with a double fisherman's knot.
Sold in various assorted colors.


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I have used it wth sticks and cam cleats
As strong as oplux

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I will stick with the diameter that works best and reliably with my Roperunner and where I hunt I can tote 30' of climbing line. To me small diameter lines are hard on the hands and maintaining proper friction is more difficult. I am a safety guy and have no need to push the limits as far as lightness at 63 I still pump iron and can handle a little extra weight. I was more of a risk taker when in my youth but don't heal as fast these days.
 
8mm is as small as I would go for life safety rope. A lot of Fire Departments use smaller for "bail out" but it is kind of a last resort and not used more than once.
 
doublesteps.com

Teufelberger Resc Tech 8mm

Lightweight and durable high-tech rope for tactical operations and rescue – used by saddle hunters for tethers, lineman ropes, and SRT/rappel rope. Sold by the foot, enter quantity as the number of…
doublesteps.com doublesteps.com

This rope from EWO has a rating of 6500 pounds and is only 8mm.

Another great idea from @DanO



aff0f3c3188c5d3170eb590ca4ce883f.jpg


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In theroy it would work but it’s just not safe nor is it really saving all that much more space for the amount of risk being exposed to. Seeing how this would be a daily activity each time you go out and hunt, exposing yourself to that many more chances of something happening with a smaller lesser rated rope isn’t worth the few ounces that would be saved. When your 20-30ft in the air after an all day hunt, last thing you want to be worrying about is the rappel rope failing on you.
 
Fairchild#17 said:
Ok, this is why I questioned it. Figured this was the response I would get, but why is it rated down to 4mm cord?
I read on some rock climbing forums that guys had backup 5-6-7mm rappel ropes as backups.

The prussik cordage we use is the weakest link in the system.
Is it the weight rating that makes it an amazingly bad idea? Is it the diameter not supplying the proper friction? Why is it a bad idea?

I'm not arguing. Just wondering.
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Using figure 8s you can loop through more than once to create more friction for a more controlled descent. It really is the rating IMO that is the limiting factor. If I think about it long enough the risk taker in me will start to rationalize why you could do it. I mean your only going 20 feet. From the time you left till the time you got to the ground on a straight forward rappel not much could happen., smooth descent no slack line falls to worry about. Then I think, what if a limb knocked off your brake hand and you were able to get hold of it quick that's going to cause a quick stop if you don't gain control and feather the brake so you don't get any/or reduce the snap loading, would it be enough to snap the cord ? I don't know, but why would you risk it when you have a product that is designed for the job that you know will handle it with some safe margin, and is probably only ounces heavier per foot than the cord your thinking of. You can use some of these friction items to advance and hold non human loads mid line.

Edit : you can also get figure 8s with small apertures to create more friction on smaller lines. I have big figure 8s I use for work when I climb on 11mm, and I have lite weight sport 8s that are smaller I can use on smaller line. I'm not a huge fan of anything less than 11mm when I work.
 
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kyler1945 said:
Petzl makes a 6mm rescue rappel rope package. I was considering buying it before I found oplux. The limited options on rappel devices to pair with it, and the decrease in margin for error in use(not its strength, but actual execution of a rappel) made it not worth the 2-3 ounces I’d save over oplux, and the extra dough I’d shell out buying the full 180’.

There are ropes smaller than 8mm that will do the job. You get out of a “it works without thinking or math or paying attention” mode and into having to do some work. If you’re a detail oriented person, and careful when you climb, maybe that’s better for you. If you’re the type of person who routinely has brushes with death and don’t even know they’ve happened, I’d stick with overkill...
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I give this answer 5 likes! You can get away with it until you can't. If your super careful you'll get away with it a little longer, but then you won't, not worth it IMHO.
 
boyne bowhunter said:
In addition, accessory cord is typically not made from heat resistant fiber. Anyone whose lowered their bow on paracord can attest that small diameter lines will generate heat from friction must faster than their larger diameter counterparts.
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Maxim tech cord melts at over 900 degrees and is rated at 5000 pounds. I would not rappel with it though


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I concur there is tech cord/ prussic cord and then there is climbing line different designs and construction. Hate to see widows and orphans created by sketchy use of small diameter line. Hunt safe and get home safe it's just not worth the risk.
 
cedar paul said:
I concur there is tech cord/ prussic cord and then there is climbing line different designs and construction. Hate to see widows and orphans created by sketchy use of small diameter line. Hunt safe and get home safe it's just not worth the risk.
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Totally agree


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Fairchild#17 said:
doublesteps.com

Grivel Figure 8

** NOTE – current batch is bronze/gold NOT purple ** Classic figure of 8, light and versatile. The most classic of the devices used to brake a rope in belaying and rappelling, the “figu…
doublesteps.com doublesteps.com

"Grivel Figure 8 – perfect for rappelling on smaller rope down to 4mm. Specifically selected this device as it is in spec for 8mm Oplux – many other figure 8 devices don’t specify that."
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Fairchild#17, your question was legit based on the information in the ad above. I would suspect that experienced folks like kyler1945 and Kurt......and the rest of us for that matter........were a bit shocked at the question because most just DON'T use such small cord/line to repel. That said, please understand that these guys are good guys with a lot of experience and really do want to help out. I hope you feel comfortable to continue to ask questions on this forum.

Last statement: If you really do want to consider this type of cord/line to repel, please make a call to Wespur, TreeStuff, or any other company that offers expert advice on this topic.

Have fun and be Safe!
 
JoyRyd said:
Fairchild#17, your question was legit based on the information in the ad above. I would suspect that experienced folks like kyler1945 and Kurt......and the rest of us for that matter........were a bit shocked at the question because most just DON'T use such small cord/line to repel. That said, please understand that these guys are good guys with a lot of experience and really do want to help out. I hope you feel comfortable to continue to ask questions on this forum.
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Blessed are the peacemakers. - Matthew 5:9

Blessed are the fun police. - 1 Saddlehuntians 2:6

:D
 
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