New biner

[mikecross23]

Originally posted by Tim Gardner
I spice both ends of my lanyards. The splice keeps it from running through the adjuster and also allows me to clip it to the rope biner next to my left d-ring. If the adjustor fails it will still be attached to secure point and it keeps the standing end out of my feet and does not get hung up in crotches while climbing.

I discovered that when i started splicing a couple of months ago. Like BigJohn said, that extra biner keeps the tail out of my way and it's great for clipping in extra gear when not in use. I made up a double ended 12' lanyard; a single end 8' w/ eyesplice at other end; and a 30' lanyard. The 30' has only been used twice so far but hey, the selection is fun!

-Mike-

 

[Tim Gardner]

Mike, what rope are you using for your lanyards and what type of saddle?

 

[mikecross23]

Originally posted by Tim Gardner
Mike, what rope are you using for your lanyards and what type of saddle?

For the 12' double ended lanyard I used safety blue hi-vee w/ a prussk for the adjustment and steel snaps spliced on each end. The 30' lanyard is really just a spliced end of a 50' scrap piece. I just added a biner and the same prussik the two times I used it as a lanyard. The 8' lanyard is made from Sherrill Pro stripe. It has a steel snap spliced to one end and a plain eye splice on the other that I clip to a biner behind the D ring. I use a prussik on it too but want to try a distel and slack tending pulley soon. I also have a 12' wire core lanyard that works better for flipping up pines and on removals. The other lanyards primarily get used for live oak prunning b/c they are too limp to flip up a spar w/ ease.

About a month or two ago I got a new Arbormaster Pro Versatile saddle w/ leg straps instead of the bosun seat. I LOVE IT! Much better than my old saddle. It sucked!

-Mike-

 

[Tom Dunlap]

I bought one of the descenders that you have pictured. It works nice but its hard to load. Another issue with the tool that I've found is that it ends up being high on my chest when I descend. There have been a couple of times that I've stopped on my descent and not locked off the handle. When I move, I've bumped the handle and dropped a little. Now I make sure that I put a half hitch around the handle whenever I take my hand off to move around. This could be eliminated by using a swivel or a twisted clevis but that adds more links to the chain and puts the descender even higher on the rope. The best part is that it has a "Sweet spot" If the handle is squeezed or let go, it locks. The only time that the climber is lowered is in the middle range.

Last week I was in Wales and got to tour the ISC factory with Denny, http://iscwales.com/
They have a device that is easier to load and also has a sweet spot.

Kong makes the Indy which seems to be a better choice than the Petzl Stop.

Tom

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Welcome back Tom!