Releasable Totem Block Allll releasable contingency systems should have three parts. You need friction mechanism that will allow you to do a controlled lower if necessary. You need a way to secure the system so people can rappel, but it must be releasable under tension so you can get someone down who is hanging on…
Totem in Throttle Mode The 2 slots of the Totem were designed to be used with double ropes in stitch plate mode but people started noticing that you could use the totem as a lever to adjust friction thus the name throttle mode A student in one of our Totem workshops came up with a…
Complete Guide to Carabiners Excellent and detailed class on carabiners. You will learn why there are so many different shapes, sizes and styles of carabiners. How to choose and use them safely and all the ways a carabiner could Fail on loads lower than what they are rated for (listed kN on the spine of…
Natural Anchor Bag The Natural Anchor Bag is a fantastic example of a simple and efficient expedition technique. The idea is to pack your anchor material, like webbing or strong accessory cord, in the same way you pack your rope bag. And just like the rope bag, you only dispense as much anchor material as…
Sling and Lanyard Basics From the Hard is Easy YouTube channel. A good primer on slings and lanyards, including material considerations. Presented from a climber’s perspective, but applies to canyoneering and other disciplines as well. https://youtu.be/0gWOiqPAZDw
Crab Claw Via Ferrata Lanyard I found this video on YouTube providing instructions for tying a crab claw lanyard. Nothing wrong with it in the context in which it is presented. He mentions moving ACROSS a via ferrata and there is footage in the video showing people moving horizontally on cables. But an important caution…
Historical Hardware Carabiner rappels, carabiners with brake bars, hooks, horns, plates, tubes, figure eights, eights with ears, complex eights, spools, bobbins, and so much more. Step back in time and marvel at the ingenuity that went into all the devices people used for rappelling, belaying, climbing and ascending. Some of the gear is still around…
Safety Eight Diego is narrating in Spanish, but the demo is easy to follow even without audio. He is rigging a standard figure eight device in both standard mode and vertaco mode in a way that dramatically reduces the chances of dropping the device. Una técnica básica pero fundamental en cañonismo, el “Ocho imperdible” nos…
Designed by Rich Carlson and manufactured by BlueWater Ropes, the VT Prusik features a super tough, heat resistant Technora aramid sheath over durable nylon core strands. The core in this kernmantle design keeps the VT from flattening and binding up. The VT performs well when used for many tasks, including: ascending self-belay while rappelling as…
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