My passion is helping people like you grow through technical excellence and personal accomplishment. Over the past 30+ years I have helped thousands of people follow their adventure dreams. Now I am providing you with these gear recommendations based on many years of experience as a guide, instructor and adventure travel addict. Each item was selected for its quality, durability, and capacity to enrich your adventures.
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Totem
Designed by Rich Carlson and made by Rock Exotica, The Totem is the Swiss Army Knife of rappelling and rigging devices. Deceptively simple-looking, the Totem is remarkably versatile. Use it for rappelling — it’s simple to add friction mid-rappel and simple to lock off. You can also use it for ascending, belaying, releasable rigging systems and hauling systems.
8mm VT Prusik
Made by BlueWater, designed in conjunction with Rich Carlson. The VT performs well when used for ascending, self-belay while rappelling, as a traveling rope grab or in conjunction with a Prusik minding pulley in haul systems. Available in tan or black, the 8mm VT is a versatile open-end prusik that can be used to tie symmetric prusik, asymmetric prusik, valdotain tresse and more.
7mm VT Prusik
Made by BlueWater, designed in conjunction with Rich Carlson. The VT performs well when used for ascending, self-belay while rappelling, as a traveling rope grab or in conjunction with a Prusik minding pulley in haul systems. Available in tan only, the 7mm VT is a versatile open-end prusik that can be used to tie symmetric prusik, asymmetric prusik, valdotain tresse and more.
Micro Traxion
One of my favorite pieces of gear; it is always on my harness. Made by Petzl, the Micro Traxion combines a high efficiency pulley with a cam. It can be used for ascending and as a progress capture device in hauling systems.
Croll
The Petzl Croll was designed to be part of the ‘frog’ ascending system. It has become common for canyoneers in swiftwater canyons to keep their Croll permanently fixed to their harness (along with a Basic on their lanyard) for quick ascent out of high-risk hydraulic problems.
Basic
The ubiquitous Petzl Basic ascender is ideal for quick connection to a rope for ascending or as part of a hauling system. It has become common for canyoneers in swiftwater canyons to keep their Basic permanently connected to the carabiner at the end of their lanyard (along with a Croll on their harness) for quick ascent out of high-risk hydraulic problems.
Tibloc
At just 1.4 ounce, you will barely notice you are carrying it, but you can use your Tibloc for emergency ascending and as part of a hauling system. Combine a Tibloc with a VT Prusik for a versatile ultralight self-rescue system.
Not recommended for emergency ascending in swiftwater canyons.
Irupu Harness
When exploring canyons, gear up with the Edelrid Irupu Harness. The three quick-adjust buckles provide a custom fit, while the slide-able hip padding keeps the tie-in point centered. The replaceable abrasion protector extends the live of the harness, as well as the life of your pants, wetsuit or drysuit.
Some of the gear that I designed or helped develop will be available to students during our rigging, rescue and professional guide courses. Including the CRT HauLine, Rescue Kit Bag, Totem and Phoenix CRT.
CRT HauLine
The CRT HauLine is a multi-purpose cordelette with a myriad of uses. It is 36 ft long with a sewn eye termination at one end. 7.5mm diameter with nylon core and hybrid polyester-technora sheath.
The kit bag has room in the main compartment for your HauLine, plus extra pockets to hold pulleys, rope grabs, VT Prusik and rescue knife.
Phoenix CRT
Like a Totem on steroids. With the addition of a 3-hole rigging plate and “wings”, the Phoenix CRT provides even more rigging options, plus the ability to fine-tune friction as needed.
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