spotly

I've been playing with the Ropeman II (the one with teeth - for skinnier ropes) for a few weeks now and, like you point out, it would have to be set up with a multidirectional or it'll ride up with the rope and either pull the piece or make for a longer follower fall - pulling the leader off if the follower falls anyway. Also, you can't rely on it to hold a lead fall so you'd want to place an additional piece of pro above it as well - keeping the leader from falling directly on the Ropeman. I've only set it up on the rock a few times but so far, it seems like a relatively tedious and time-consuming process to use if your main goal is speed. My experience is stictly academic and hopefully will stay that way

"simulclimbing is not for newbies" I don't see the connection with the original post. While I appreciate that concern. Learning a new skill isn't an indication that someone has no experience - only that they're learning a new skill. But thanks.

Whichever filler you choose, if you're gonna use a stain, check that the filler takes the stain in the same way as the wood. If it doesn't the color in the fixed area will be off.

I agree with the "at worst" but at best it could provide some security on the off-chance that the follower falls while climbing terrain that they're comfortable with. I took a fall last year that totally surprised me. It was on a low 5th route that I'd climbed many times before. I guess I'm looking at it as a just-in-case, can't-hurt-if-it-doesn't-slow-me-down sort of thing. The issue for me is how to place it quickly and correctly given that the Ropeman has a tendency to ride the rope above the placement (unless a second piece is placed to keep it down, which does seem like a PITA to me too

Can't get that link to work.

I picked up "Alpine Climbing: Techniques to take you higher." It's got some good stuff in it - thanks for the advice tomtom. I also picked up a Ropeman and played with it a bit on the rock. Setting it up for a running belay is pretty quick and easy but I did find that unless I set it for a multidirectional pull, because it's spring-loaded it rises towards the leader potentially pulling the piece. Plus, even if the piece doesn't pull out, if the 2nd falls the rope will be yanked downward and possibly pull the leader off. Maybe I'm missing some detail in placing it? Then there's the whole "tooth" thing that someone mentioned on another thread. The Ropeman II (for skinnier ropes) has smaller teeth than the Tibloc but it seems there's still some potential for tearing the sheath in a fall. Which brings up another question - being spring-loaded and having teeth, what's been other's experiences with rope wear due to dragging it through the Ropeman time and again?

So doubling up on cams instead of hexes implies one is sewing it up too much and climbing beyond their limit?

My large hex comes in handy sometimes as do the red and pink tricams. Most used cams for me are the .75 thru 2 C4s, which I've doubled up on. The .3, .4, .5 and 3 C4s get used quite a bit too. That would be my preference for a basic set of cams then add in some C3s and a #4 as money permits and routes require. BD is my preference but everyone has their own.

I keep mine on a leash that's just long enough to allow me to hold it at arms length. I figure my odds of falling AND losing control of the ax are less than my odds of losing an unleashed ax. As far as consequences, I'd guess tumbling down a slope with an ax flailing around would probably be worse than being stuck on said slope without the ax....depending on the situation [ADDED] I've tried it on my wrist but prefer my harness or pack loop when not wearing a harness.

I use my Rocker for solo top-roping but it's on the edge of too heavy and bulky to drag on an alpine route. I'm picking up 2 of the Ropeman this week for simul-climbing.

Mead WA. Just 10 minutes away from Minnehaha. Could it get any better!?

Rock Climbs of Central Washington Climber's Guide to North Idaho and the Cabinet Wilderness ...this one's not in WA obviously, but close enough to warrant looking at.

I heard it was going to be a Navy missile launch.

I've been over the mechanics of this and have practiced for a 2-man team and have just assumed I could physically do it. I've held a fallen partner and even though it didn't take too much strength (under that situation), I did not have the need for digging a trench so I can't be positive that I could have. Since I'm usually 2 to a rope, guess I should chuck my partner off a deep end somewhere and try digging for more empirical data.

At the time, each purchase seemed reasonable and legit. Seeing them all in one place though...I understand why my wife keeps tying them into hangmans nooses and hanging them from the beam.

I like the idea of having pics for insurance. Especially since I don't have the reciepts for most of this any more. I think I'm more of a rope whore.

And the holds aren't bolted on outside (except that one in Spokane...or was that glued?!). Sounds comical but after a time in the gym, don't let that first portable hold outside be your reminder to switch modes.

Looks niiiice.

CBS, I'm sorry to hear about your wife and the tough choice you're faced with. Check with the airlines and with Candlelighters on discount and/or free flights. That information might make your decision slightly easier. We've worked with them over the last year while fighting with my daughter's cancer and they've been very helpful. Also, since you're already established with a doctor and I assume continuing some sort of treatment, have you checked into government healthcare (Medicaide and/or Medicaire)? Seems you would qualify given your circumstances. We'll keep you and your family in our prayers.

E, demo would be great. Shall we say Bugaboo NE Ridge....end of July?

I suppose who carries what would depend alot on the situation too. Having at least some with with the leader makes sense regardless though. Thanks rob

Eric, has it ever caught a follower for you? If so, how'd the rope sheath fare? We simuled up some 5.8ish last year (strayed). Thoughts of tiblocs ran through my head Anyhoo, with some long 5ish sections coming up next year and having experienced one crappy unplanned bivy, I'm revisiting the idea. I've been leaning towards the ropeman though - 3 oz each and spring loaded sounds pretty good. One concern (over the mechanics of how) is how to be quick when placing these and making sure that they're placed so that the rope runs through them smoothly. Any pointers on that (prerigged?)? On another note, do you coil at the leader and the follower equally to make swapping lead easier or do you keep the coiled end with the follower?

Any good "how to" resources online (or a book) on simulclimbing. I've done a little but planning on a few routes this year that require lots. Need more tips for being more efficent. Thanks.

Yeah, they turn silver after awhile. It was odd to have so many in one litter - they usually only have two and seems like females are rarer. This was a batch of girls. As you can see from the mom's look, this was her last batch Not a good and loving mom.