Safeguard + Oplux + Rain

[MightyOwl]

Hey guys, this is my second season one sticking with the mad rock safeguard, using oplux. On today’s sit it was raining a bit, but I’ve been in the rain before with the same setup, however on my way down today, the handle on the safeguard was extremely difficult to engage (yes, I pull down on the tag end to rappel smoothly) there was a pretty loud audible snap from the safeguard. The jacket section of oplux that sees the most wear (near the delta link, top 5’-6’) seems kinda worn, but it wouldn’t it be worn throughout the entire length from rappelling? It was very jerky and at times nerve racking, I’ve even considered setting up my stick to get weight off and go down using a munter hitch on the descend, especially the first 3’-4’. I’m not sure, but I’ll probably chop off the first few feet. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[Squatch]

Hey guys, this is my second season one sticking with the mad rock safeguard, using oplux. On today’s sit it was raining a bit, but I’ve been in the rain before with the same setup, however on my way down today, the handle on the safeguard was extremely difficult to engage (yes, I pull down on the tag end to rappel smoothly) there was a pretty loud audible snap from the safeguard. The jacket section of oplux that sees the most wear (near the delta link, top 5’-6’) seems kinda worn, but it wouldn’t it be worn throughout the entire length from rappelling? It was very jerky and at times nerve racking, I’ve even considered setting up my stick to get weight off and go down using a munter hitch on the descend, especially the first 3’-4’. I’m not sure, but I’ll probably chop off the first few feet. Has anyone else experienced this?

Oplux would do that to me in the rain

So did resc-tech

I use canyon elite now
No issues

And try to plan my best to not be in any rain

Either that or you just eventually expect it to behave like that and it won’t bother you

For me I switched


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[MightyOwl]

Oplux would do that to me in the rain

So did resc-tech

I use canyon elite now
No issues

And try to plan my best to not be in any rain

Either that or you just eventually expect it to behave like that and it won’t bother you

For me I switched


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I’ve had good luck right after the rain let’s up, so that’s why I went out this morning, would the fix be switching to the canyon elite rope you think?

 

[woodsdog2]

A lot of guys use Oplux with the MR Safeguard; including me but technically, its about 9/10's mm's too small for the MR Safeguard. Then when its wet or slick..... that variation will manifest itself. To give you a little assurance in those conditions, add a loop of sterling hollowblock for an autoblock below your safeguard as a means of backup. You could also pick up a figure 8 and incorporate the autoblock with that as well in those conditions.

 

[MightyOwl]

A lot of guys use Oplux with the MR Safeguard; including me but technically, its about 9/10's mm's too small for the MR Safeguard. Then when its wet or slick..... that variation will manifest itself. To give you a little assurance in those conditions, add a loop of sterling hollowblock for an autoblock below your safeguard as a means of backup. You could also pick up a figure 8 and incorporate the autoblock with that as well in those conditions.

I’ll make sure to pack my figure 8 on my next sit, and do some research on hollow/auto blocks. My thumb on the brake hand actually got pinched today, minor pinch but could’ve been WAY worse on the descend.

 

[MightyOwl]

I’ll make sure to pack my figure 8 on my next sit, and do some research on hollow/auto blocks. My thumb on the brake hand actually got pinched today, minor pinch but could’ve been WAY worse on the descend.

Ok so it looks like the hollowblock is a redundancy system for rappelling, I’ve got a 30” double sewn eye in my basement, will def clip that on my next sit.

 

[woodsdog2]

Ok so it looks like the hollowblock is a redundancy system for rappelling, I’ve got a 30” double sewn eye in my basement, will def clip that on my next sit.

You have to make sure that the diameter of the double sewn eye prussic you plan to use is about 60% of the size of the oplux in order for it to "stop" you properly if needed. Too big and it will not create the friction you need to be safe. I would get the loop of Sterling Hollowblock to use. Just take a caribiner clip one end of the hollowblock in the biner, wrap the hollowblock 3-4 times around the oplux and then clip that in the caribiner as well. Make sure its below your safeguard attachment point down by where you would brake with your hand. I am not an expert whatsoever so please, please do your due diligence on a proper back up system before incorporating it into your rappel down plan.

 

[trailblazer75]

I use 10mm HTP and it does it to me in the rain too. I’ve never had the pop but I’ve had the same experience.


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[DeerLaughAtMe]

Oplux would do that to me in the rain

So did resc-tech

I use canyon elite now
No issues

And try to plan my best to not be in any rain

Either that or you just eventually expect it to behave like that and it won’t bother you

For me I switched


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I also found Oplux to be very jumpy when wet and switched to canyon elite and am happy with it.


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[KYRanger]

Madrock spec calls for a minimum of 9mm rope, like Canyon CI-V. Oplux and Resc Tech are 8mm and often used by some people with their Safeguard. But there are reports just like yours that it makes for a nerving ride down when wet.

You can also keep your rappel rope in your pack until time to descend. Keeps the rope dry. I typically do this and use my normal short tether to one stick. It’s easy and safe to switch over to a separate rappel line when ready to descend.

 

[ShooterMike]

Go with a Dry Rope. Canyon C-IV and Elite are both classed as “Dry Ropes” meaning they don’t absorb water like non-dry ropes.


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[Razorbak66]

Oplux sucks in rain using a MR stick to CIV better choice. I don’t use MR anymore stuck to my figure 8 with both my oplux and CIV no issues

 

[Aeds151]

Thats why you use the safeguard with in spec rope instead of buying oplux because everyone else online bought oplux.


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