Alasdair Posted December 7, 2006 Posted December 7, 2006 Has anyone else had issues with these icing really badly and causing very scary rappel situations? I was looking to see what size ropes bd recommend these for, but I did not see anything written anywhere. Last weekend while rappelling icy 9mil ropes I had to wrap the ropes all the way around my ass to get the device to work. When I got down I noticed the two grooves were completely iced and had to use my pick to clear it out. So am I a dumb ass for using this device for something that it is not designed for, or is this a limiting factor of the device? Quote
catbirdseat Posted December 7, 2006 Posted December 7, 2006 I think the Trango Jaws would be a better choice for rapping with icy ropes, as it would be much less likely to collect ice- no grooves or teeth. Quote
TrogdortheBurninator Posted December 7, 2006 Posted December 7, 2006 I used my BD guide on icy ropes for the first time last weekend too. I was similarly unimpressed. Tons of stick slip drag. Did you try flipping it around? I didnt, but wonder if that might alleviate some problems. Quote
sill Posted December 7, 2006 Posted December 7, 2006 Flipping it around does alleviate the problem for the most part, unless your ropes are frozen cables. Quote
Alasdair Posted December 7, 2006 Author Posted December 7, 2006 I did not try flipping it around as I dont tend to try things like that when at the top of a rappel. I think I will be moving back the the old device until something else comes up that someone else can test for me. Quote
Alasdair Posted December 7, 2006 Author Posted December 7, 2006 OUr ropes were pretty much frozen cables. Quote
counterfeitfake Posted December 7, 2006 Posted December 7, 2006 This is kind of a problem for most devices, no? Quote
chris Posted December 7, 2006 Posted December 7, 2006 I haven't found it to be noticeably different from using a Reverso. Its manageable, though, so I haven't worried to much about it. Quote
Alasdair Posted December 8, 2006 Author Posted December 8, 2006 No this is not a problem for other devices I have used. I think the best one for iced ropes is the old BD ATC. And Dru, no, most of the time I do not use a prussik when I rappel. Yes I probably should, but I dont. Quote
G-spotter Posted December 8, 2006 Posted December 8, 2006 I started using a prussik all the time for ice after I had a similar problem with a Reverso. Quote
chris Posted December 8, 2006 Posted December 8, 2006 I started using a prussik all the time for ice after I had a similar problem with a Reverso. ditto Quote
Figger_Eight Posted December 8, 2006 Posted December 8, 2006 If you flip it around, it's essentially the same as a standard ATC, no? Quote
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