catbirdseat Posted June 2, 2003 Share Posted June 2, 2003 I had to rap off a big chockstone into a chimney the other day and it was awkward as hell. I ended up slipping, flipping and taking the skin off my left elbow. Got any ideas other than going slowly and carefully? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attitude Posted June 2, 2003 Share Posted June 2, 2003 Rap off loose flakes instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt.Caveman Posted June 2, 2003 Share Posted June 2, 2003 Leave your pack behind instead. What's the next question? - How to wipe my ass in the woods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucK Posted June 2, 2003 Share Posted June 2, 2003 Sounds about right. I often take some skin off my right elbow while climbing up chimneys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted June 2, 2003 Share Posted June 2, 2003 I don't think you're going to get a "one size fits all" answer to this kind of a question. It sounds as if you may have made some kind of operator error, but some raps are just plain awkward no matter what you do -- like the bear-hug start to a rap from standing on a tree growing out of the cliff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted June 2, 2003 Author Share Posted June 2, 2003 Okay, sounds like "grin and bear it". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Szyjakowski Posted June 2, 2003 Share Posted June 2, 2003 catbirdseat said: Okay, sounds like "grin and bear it". yup if you can avoid chimneys....avoid them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Posted June 2, 2003 Share Posted June 2, 2003 Cpt.Caveman said: Leave your pack behind instead. What's the next question? - How to wipe my ass in the woods  I prefer to crap while sitting on small diameter logs, but as I get older, I don't really want to spend as much time looking for that "perfect" place to take a dump, so I just squat, facing up hill (everybody knows shit rolls downhill, LOL) usually while clinging to a tree branch to keep my balance. Sometimes I'll even throw a handfull of snow, moss or a rock over it so nobody has to look at it when I'm done.  However, it looks like your question was mainly about how best to wipe though, so I'll address that too. In general, I usually am not very generous with the buttwipe as carying a lot in the pack is quite bulky. Although it's risky, I'll usually take a 4 square section and fold it in half twice, ending up with a quadruple layer of mountain money. I know this isn't as thick as a lot of you saftey geeks like, but, it's an acceptable risk level for me. Anyway, I'll generally wipe front to back folding the TP in half each time until I am uncomfortable with the exposure, no more than 3 folds ever it's just too small and risky for getting stank on your fingers. Using this method, I can usually get the task done using no more than 12 squares total.  Leaves are a different story all together, big leaf's are preffered obviously, but I've heard stories of pinecones being used. If you're above tree line, it's my opinion that if you don't have TP or an article of clothing you're willing to sacrifice (make a half shirt, or a long sleeve a short sleeve), you'd better make it a clean shot in the first place.  As far as rapping chimneys, it's a bad idea in the first place, too much chance of getting ropes caught, knocking down more rocks or getting yourself hung/beat up (like you did).   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted June 2, 2003 Author Share Posted June 2, 2003 Leaves of three, leave 'em be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_Anderson Posted June 2, 2003 Share Posted June 2, 2003 You said you flipped over: That's generally because you have to much weight up top. Unless my pack is veeery light, i hang it from a 'biner attached to my belay loop any time I am doing a steep rappell. Otherwise you are fighting the weight of your pack doing situps the whole way down.  The only down side is that your pack can knock things off on the way down. More of an issue, the more slabby it gets.  matt  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted June 3, 2003 Author Share Posted June 3, 2003 I did have a light pack on. That didn't help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klenke Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 CBS: Schurman Rock is scheduled to reopen very soon. There's a chimney on one side. I would suggest you go there and practice, practice, practice. Â I agree with Mattp. There are easy rappels and hard rappels. For me, the difficulty is usually either the step-off at the top or when one has to rap one way but the slant of the rock goes another. In this latter case, the sideways force (pendulum factor) gets annoying but is obviously easier to deal with once you get most of the way down. My other problem is usually not being able to go fast enough at the top (my Trango Jaws belay [rappel] device is to blame here). Â I can't say if my rappelling technique is good or bad but I do know I like doing it and I've never flipped over, so I must be doing something right. I have however had a foot slip out , rammed a shoulder, and rotated into the rock on occassion. Par for the course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_detrick Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 Don't rap, walk off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 just ask santa. dude free solos chimneys for a living, yo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted June 3, 2003 Author Share Posted June 3, 2003 That's it! Why didn't I think of that? Ask Santa, the unrivaled expert on chimney descents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whirlwind Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 just tie a big knot in the end of the rope and base jump it, or i guess that would be more like bungee jumping, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minx Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 catbirdseat said: That's it! Why didn't I think of that? Ask Santa, the unrivaled expert on chimney descents. Â yeah and santa does it w/that big ol' pack of his Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolanr Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 Bronco said: Cpt.Caveman said: Leave your pack behind instead. What's the next question? - How to wipe my ass in the woods  I prefer to crap while sitting on small diameter logs, but as I get older, I don't really want to spend as much time looking for that "perfect" place to take a dump, so I just squat, facing up hill (everybody knows shit rolls downhill, LOL) usually while clinging to a tree branch to keep my balance. Sometimes I'll even throw a handfull of snow, moss or a rock over it so nobody has to look at it when I'm done.  However, it looks like your question was mainly about how best to wipe though, so I'll address that too. In general, I usually am not very generous with the buttwipe as carying a lot in the pack is quite bulky. Although it's risky, I'll usually take a 4 square section and fold it in half twice, ending up with a quadruple layer of mountain money. I know this isn't as thick as a lot of you saftey geeks like, but, it's an acceptable risk level for me. Anyway, I'll generally wipe front to back folding the TP in half each time until I am uncomfortable with the exposure, no more than 3 folds ever it's just too small and risky for getting stank on your fingers. Using this method, I can usually get the task done using no more than 12 squares total.  Leaves are a different story all together, big leaf's are preffered obviously, but I've heard stories of pinecones being used. If you're above tree line, it's my opinion that if you don't have TP or an article of clothing you're willing to sacrifice (make a half shirt, or a long sleeve a short sleeve), you'd better make it a clean shot in the first place.  As far as rapping chimneys, it's a bad idea in the first place, too much chance of getting ropes caught, knocking down more rocks or getting yourself hung/beat up (like you did).   Dude, nothing works better than a couple of snowballs. Now it's a bit chilly mind you, a little pucker factor there, but I guarantee your ass will never be cleaner than after you get done wiping w/ a couple of snowballs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrosaurus Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 catbirdseat said: ...I ended up slipping, flipping and taking the skin off my left elbow... Never had that problem. Maybe you could find a support group for spastics. Best you can get here is unbridled sarcasm and ridicule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted June 4, 2003 Author Share Posted June 4, 2003 Hey Mitch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Kirby Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 catbirdseat said: Leaves of three, leave 'em be. Â Leaves of four, eat some more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 J_Kirby said: catbirdseat said: Leaves of three, leave 'em be. Â Leaves of four, eat some more! Leaves of five makes the ski jive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_Simpkins Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 to stick up for cat turd, rapping chimneys can be a bit awkward sometimes, especially when there's a large chalkstone. I suggest going really slow and balancing yourself with your free hand, maybe keeping your feet off the rock till you get past the obstacle. Another option is to stem with your feet on both sides. Definately just take your time and don't be afraid to look wimpy while doing it. Maybe Try sitting on the edge of the chimney and easying yourself down slowly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrosaurus Posted June 5, 2003 Share Posted June 5, 2003 Bill_Simpkins said: ... maybe keeping your feet off the rock till you get past the obstacle... Keep your feet off the rock? Really? Where are you going to put them? In your pack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrosaurus Posted June 5, 2003 Share Posted June 5, 2003 Don't listen to these bozos. Keep your feet on the rock. It is easier to keep your head above your feet that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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