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Trango Alpine Equalizer- is it just a gimmick?


catbirdseat

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catbirdseat said:

I want to know what you all think of this thing, the Trango Alpine Equalizer. Is it a boon or a gimmick. It is a substitute for a cordalette. They say you can use clove hitches on each piece of pro if you want to avoid extension.

 

Fuckin' buy it. Like ligthweight harnesses, bent-gate 'biners, Gri-gris, and chipped pockets, all those trad goons are gonna say it sucks 'cause it's new and it wasn't in 'The Whole Pure and Natural Guide to Organic Protection and Oval Carabiner Hip Belaying with a 1" Tubular Webbing Swami in Painter's Pants', which came out in 1967, even though it probably kicks more ass than Bruce Lee brawling with a dozen donkeys.

 

Don't listen to those jaded tradoids, they don' know what they're talking about!

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catbirdseat said:

Fern, that is a personal anchor. I don't think it is meant for belay anchors. It's kind of weird.

 

second picture there yo, shiz is meant to be versatile and multi purpose.

 

I'd never buy one but some people like FLASHy things ....

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Also, while not it's intended use, I can't count the number of times I've been able to sling a horn and use my extra long (12 feet, doubled) spectra cordalette to aid in tricky downclimbing. Although making up for being a sucky climber is probably not the prime reason to decide on an anchor building helper. smile.gif

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Just had a clinic by the Trango guy on wednesday

 

It seems like it's worth trying it out.

Unlike a cordelette it will self equalize at almost all times.

 

I.E. If you tie off your cordelette in the downward direction of the route, and if the person following has to traverse or go left or right at all and they fall, it will actually weight just one piece.

 

You can also clove hitch the tie in points to each bolt or piece to allow even more equalization.

 

I guess the one thing you have to watch out for is the sewn part of the runner cannot be near the ring that equalizes as it will get caught and not allow for the runner to equalize

 

It can also be used in different lengths, so it does not have to be for 3 pieces or bolts, you can tie of 2 ends to one bolt or gear for shorter anchors, or use just 2 ends for tie in point for a long anchor. From the demonstration, it is also good for larger trees and stuff as well as it works well as a long runner.

 

But then again, what the hell do i know?

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i think it sounds like a good idea for certain circumstances, like multi pitch trad where you know what the belays are like (but how often is that the case). it is obviously a specialty item...mabe it would be good in the gunks? with all those horizontal cracks you could fast and easily equalize your anchors... but it's pricey for a specialized pice of anchor equipment...

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scot'teryx said:

Unlike a cordelette it will self equalize at almost all times.

 

I.E. If you tie off your cordelette in the downward direction of the route, and if the person following has to traverse or go left or right at all and they fall, it will actually weight just one piece.

A cordelette will equalize at all times too if you don't tie the knot at the anchor point.

 

The reason you might choose to tie the knot at the anchor point is so you don't get huge extension/shock load if one anchor blows. If you want to avoid this with the Trango thingamajig you have to tie THREE knots.

 

It looks more difficult to sling a horn or fashion the Trango thingy into Texas-Prussik footloops. The Trango thingy also looks heavier and more unwieldy to carry on your harness.

 

Cordelettes made out of spectra-whatever are not cheap at 1+ bucks/foot, but still come in cheaper than $34.

 

 

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The more specialized your gear getss, the less circumstances under which it can be used. This is why I call bullshit on wanker stuff like this. I'd rather keep it simple and be able to carry as little gear as possible and do as many things as possible with it.

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catbirdseat said:

Yes, Erik, 'splain the twist.

 

deathx.gif

 

 

read this article: YOU WILL DIE IF YOU USE THE "DEATH X"!!!!!!

 

anywho, Mark Twight says to use it so I say"OK!" thumbs_up.gif

 

unless......I think one of my anchor pieces may fail cry.gif, then I use a cordolette with a figure 8.

 

I wonder why Mark Twight thinks the death x is ok to use on sketchy alpine anchors? confused.gif

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Oh, THAT twist. That prevents total failure of the anchor should on piece fail, but does nothing to prevent extension due to the failure.

 

As the article says, you can use a sliding knot to self-equalize two sketchy pieces and then equalize THAT UNIT with other more secure pieces on a cordalette tied with a knot.

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