Re: [AirCanada] cable ascender questions
In reply to:
The metal cables found on most anntenas will not be compatible with mountain climbing gear. You might be able to get a pair of jumars or gibbs ascenders or whatever onto the cable, but they will not hold onto the steel if you pump out and let go. I don't even think an old school prussik would work, steel is just too slippery.
Just FYI- prussiks will generally work if you use enough wraps. But with steel cable, that might be, like, five or more full wraps. A big pain in the as*, requires a lot of time to tie/untie, and requires constant tending, unlike a mechanical ascender.
In reply to:
The "daisychain method" is directly and exactly adapted from the via ferrata method. That's what they do over there, sure there is some other things like Yates Screamers and other goofy stuff you can add.
I wouldn’t say it is ‘exactly’ adapter from the via ferrata method. ALL via ferrata tether systems use some sort of shock absorber. Some use stitch-ripping absorbers (like the Yates screamers, and most industrial fall arrest devices), some use friction of rope passing through multiple holes in an aluminum plate. They ALL use a shock absorber because without it, in even a short fall (like a foot or so), you risk creating unbelievably high peak forces that snap webbing, biners, harnesses, and occasionally hips. And your back will friggin’ hate you.
If you are using the tether just to rest, don’t bother clipping into rungs as you ascend. If you are using the tether as a safety belay, use a shock absorber.
In reply to:
Take 1/2" tube webbing about 8' long and insert 3/8" bunji that is about 2' shorter than the webbing. Bunch up the webbing around the bunji so that the ends are even, and tie a loop in both ends.
Nice idea, but if you’re trying to make a screamer on the cheap, that device is absolutely worthless. Its only useful as a way to make your webbing tether collapse so it doesn’t flap around as much.
In reply to:
Anyway... google "purcell prusik".
Ah ha! A real climber! A Purcell setup would definitely be a better option. Cheap and light and much safer than a daisy or quickdraws. Whatever material you use as a tether, use nylon (not spectra/dyneema/aramid/other techy cords).
One note: manufactured via ferrata setups will not be much bulkier than purcells/screamers/etc. they are just more expensive, and harder to find in the US.
