26
votes
Accepted
Can you Rappel with an Old Climbing Rope?
You probably should not use it any more. Old ropes seem to be surprisingly strong. A German mountaineering magazine made tests with old ropes. Of 14 tested ropes, 10 would still have been strong ...
- 6,135
12
votes
Quickest / most efficient way to ascend a hanging rope with rock climbing gear?
I wouldn't count ascenders as common climbing gear, so I'm answering for gear that almost every climber has available: An ATC Guide (or Reverso, or similar device with a guide mode) and some cord or ...
- 4,417
11
votes
Can you Rappel with an Old Climbing Rope?
No, it’s not worth the risk. Ropes aren’t that expensive and if it breaks you could hurt yourself.
- 68.8k
9
votes
When should you use gear to climb a tree?
I am an avid rock climber and the answer to all similar questions is always the same:
Use safety gear when you feel unsafe.
If you want a number, falls from over ~5 meters (15 feet) are where you ...
- 5,716
8
votes
Accepted
Transition from ascending to descending a rope
Ascending a fixed rope using an ATC guide in lead mode is totally valid, but it is not the "quickest" method (IMHO). Usually what is taught in basic climbing and self rescue courses is to ascend with ...
- 3,313
8
votes
Accepted
When should you use gear to climb a tree?
I think this is quite a tricky one. Even when I read the Health & Safety Executive guidance in the UK (a country quite keen on its health and safety rules) it isn't clear:
HSE has an 'Are You a ...
- 24.4k
7
votes
Quickest / most efficient way to ascend a hanging rope with rock climbing gear?
I don't have a reference handy but in conversations I've had in the past (several years ago) with people who compete/vie for speed records ascending ropes they exclusively use prusiks.
If memory ...
- 9,608
6
votes
Quickest / most efficient way to ascend a hanging rope with rock climbing gear?
Now after I got some answers I'd like to post my own observations:
The most 'efficient' method I found so far with out using foot ascenders is using two conventional ascenders/(or prussiks/tibloc etc)...
- 1,717
5
votes
Accepted
How to attach climbing holds / rungs to a tree trunk without harming the tree
You can bolt the holds onto a (strong) wooden plank and use a ratchet lashing strap to attach the plank to the tree. Better yet: use two. One at the top of the plank and one at the bottom.
You will ...
- 166
5
votes
Accepted
What kind of Rope for a Bosun's Chair
Look for any type of line that is meant for running rigging on a sailboat. These lines are made to work with pulleys or block and tackle systems, they have very good strength with more than adequate ...
- 4,966
4
votes
When should you use gear to climb a tree?
People perish from falling from 0 meters (just standing, you faint and the back of the head hits the concrete)*. Others can jump from roofs and continue running (parkour guys).
Therefore, I think ...
- 6,613
4
votes
Quickest / most efficient way to ascend a hanging rope with rock climbing gear?
This may not be the most efficient, but is something I have done with the gear I am always carrying - which to me is more important. On any route where I will be abseiling (or may need to ascend) I ...
- 829
3
votes
Transition from ascending to descending a rope
Whatever you do, you will need to take off the load from the tuber in locking mode. So I'd use the same technique as when going over a knot (well there's probably more than one technique for that, but ...
- 21.5k
3
votes
How to attach climbing holds / rungs to a tree trunk without harming the tree
Whatever you use could have some impact on the tree, but your best bet is likely to be a combination of slings, either tightly round the trunk to hang handholds from, or alternatively, ropes from your ...
- 24.4k
3
votes
When should you use gear to climb a tree?
a dangerous height to fall is defined as between two and two and a half times your height, which for most people is 12- 15 feet. however, using gear to climb a tree is VERY damaging to the tree and ...
- 111
3
votes
Quickest / most efficient way to ascend a hanging rope with rock climbing gear?
Lanyard + 2 ascenders + cordelette.
So you have lanyard attached to your harness, and ascenders attached to both arms of the lanyard. You fix ascenders on the rope - one will be above the other. ...
- 1,478
2
votes
Quickest / most efficient way to ascend a hanging rope with rock climbing gear?
"Jumars" are the quickest method to ascend a fixed rope. They are mechanical devices that lock and each attach to your harness and to leg straps of specified lengths so you can step on one then the ...
- 39
2
votes
Practice for roped climbing using a tree, is this setup safe?
I'll start off answering your three questions then provide some extra thoughts at the end of my answer. Before that though, be aware that the risks are real: if something goes wrong, perhaps because ...
- 476
1
vote
How to attach climbing holds / rungs to a tree trunk without harming the tree
In all my research and experience, the single thing NOT to do with a tree is to lash or strap anything around its trunk/limbs. The outer layer of tree cells is where new growth occurs and nutrients ...
- 19
1
vote
Quickest / most efficient way to ascend a hanging rope with rock climbing gear?
If you're using snap link instead of a figure 8 or other such device and can rig a Bachmann/carabiner, just detach and climb as if you were just free climbing the rope with the foot scissor/stand ...
- 982
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