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Rappelling on Skinny Ropes Part 2—Tethers and Third Hands

By

Gavin Hess

Rappel extensions/tethers and third hands are useful tools in a mountain environment. Photo: Aidan Whitelaw

Rappel extensions/tethers and third hands are useful tools in a mountain environment. Photo: Aidan Whitelaw

  Continuing our dissection of ski mountaineering rappel systems, we are exploring the various options for rappel extensions/tethers and third hands. There is significant overlap here with standard rock climbing gear and techniques, but our needs as skiers, especially skiers with skinny ropes, are a bit different.    You can find part one of our…

Responses

  1. Ben Coffman

    Good to hear the V12 is working! Have you experienced any issues with it being difficult to release the smaller cord after going hands free?

    1. Gavin Hess

      Hey Ben,

      no issues with it being difficult to release thus far. The autoblock/klemheist simplifies that, in addition to a device that has sufficient friction such that even hands free, there isnt a huge load on the brake strand.

  2. Alexander Rose-Innes

    OK, so just had my slippery coil of PUR line delivered. Makes RAD line feel like a fluffy old gym rope. In my backyard hang testing the rope holds double-stranded with an extended BD Alpine ATC done the correct way. Interestingly, I found that the Smiley method, of both strands through a single side, holds less well. I used a 6.8mm Stirling pre-sewn hollowblock cord as the third hand (kleimheist)–13.5 inch with as many wraps as the length would allow. Other sewn Prussia loops didn’t do as well–seems like the softness of the hollowblock material makes difference. Seems like a good set-up for now. I have 30m of RAD line that always sits in my pack and my partner has the same. I’m loathe to buy a 60m RAD line due to the cost. I’d be worried about the PUR line for glacier travel given how slippery it is.

    Petzl really don’t want you to rapp on the PUR line–there is no centre marking!

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