JasonG Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Thinking of a Tantalus trip this upcoming summer. I know of the options, but the Tyrolean seems like a fitting part of the whole package. I've heard you need a few "large" carabiners, but mainly I'm wondering what the diameter of the cable is to see if I need to search around for some to burn or if what I have will do. And, I'm not sure if I am man enough to walk it. Thanks for any info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
num1mc Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 (edited) Probably 3/4 to 1 1/8, with 3/4 or 7/8 being most likely. Don't think it would be 5/8, and 1" is getting pretty big Edited January 16, 2014 by num1mc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 It might be worth it to beg or borrow a steel 'biner for that crossing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonG Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 That is probably smart Matt. I have access to steel but I really don't want to carry one thru the range if I can burn an AL one on the cable. Was planning on carrying a couple to back up the weighted one & hang my pack, so I wouldn't be trusting my life to one. I ran across a TR where they said that AL worked, but that you would retire it once across. I guess I could suck it up and hike a big steel 'biner over Tantalus from Sigurd Creek, but I'd rather not. Thanks MC, I guess I will try and get a bit more detail on the exact dimensions. A typical belay 'biner will accommodate 7/8th but not >1". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvashtarkatena Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Cut a couple of fingers from an old leather glove, slip em on your biners, tack em in place with a bit o the Gorilla, Tyrollon, my brother. Your biners won't even notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mocco Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 (edited) I've done that crossing. Used 2 BD ovals, clipped to the top cable. Pretty much any larger gate biner will work, and use your cordelette for the tether so you don't have to bring any special gear. Heard of someone who once brought a bike U lock over the whole traverse just for the cable (!) I walked the middle cable. I think walking is the way to go, a friend tyroleanned the lower cable and found it hard work pulling his carcass and gear up the last half. If you walk, you just have to push giant balls and cones out of the way, kind of like being on Knockout. Nice to have 2 biners on separate tethers so you can pass the balls and cones while staying clipped in. Make sure your tether isn't too long either. Trying to prussic that if you fell off would be a tiring exercise in frustration. That leather glove trick is cool, have to remember that one... Edited January 16, 2014 by mocco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvashtarkatena Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 You can take whipper after whipper on biners clipped to tiny stopper cables and bolts. A body weighted fatty cable is benign in comparison. I wouldn't even bother with the glove, personally. Just clip some borrowed biners on that thing and start pulling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
num1mc Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 You can take whipper after whipper on biners clipped to tiny stopper cables and bolts. A body weighted fatty cable is benign in comparison. I wouldn't even bother with the glove, personally. Just clip some borrowed biners on that thing and start pulling. But there isn't nearly the abrasion involved in whippers in comparison to using an aluminum carabiner as a substitute for a block on wire rope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonG Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 Thanks for the info, sounds like walking may be the ticket. Did you hang your pack off the main cable and drag it? I imagine that the cable with the balls and such is a smaller diameter than the lower one that folks Tyrolean? Interesting tip Pat, but I suspect your are right about just clip and go. And, I wasn't worried about the cable, just the wear on the biner from dragging my fat ass across. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
num1mc Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 (edited) sounds like walking may be the ticket. Easier said than done? With a pack? For two hundred feet? Edited January 16, 2014 by num1mc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonG Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 Well, that's why I was asking about the pack. But perhaps you didn't understand that there is an upper cable to hold onto (but it does have cones and balls you have to clip past, via ferrata style). Sorta like a graduate version of a NZ walkwire. You're not balancing on a single cable the whole way! That would certainly not be the ticket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvashtarkatena Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 (edited) Doesn't seem like too big a deal - plenty of pilgrims do it. You've got a top cable to clip tightish to, and that big fat heavy cable's not gonna sway too much. Walking = better pics. Particularly if you biff and winding up straddling that action. Wear sensible shoes. Edited January 16, 2014 by tvashtarkatena Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonG Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 That is one of the issues with a family/job/etc.- ample time to research, not enough time for doing. I know I'm over thinking this, but thanks for humoring me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
num1mc Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 (edited) But perhaps you didn't understand that there is an upper cable to hold onto (but it does have cones and balls you have to clip past, via ferrata style). Sorta like a graduate version of a NZ walkwire. You're not balancing on a single cable the whole way! I stand by my doubts. From:http://www.flickr.com/photos/95056076@N00/2820265761 Edited January 17, 2014 by num1mc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonG Posted January 17, 2014 Author Share Posted January 17, 2014 I can see your point. Should be an interesting finish, either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murraysovereign Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 I meant to measure the cables when we paddled down the river last fall, but neglected to take any sort of measuring device with me, so it's still on the "to-do" list. The top cable that carries the warning cones is pretty light, so I expect any decent-opening 'biner would fit. The bottom cable is more robust, as it carries the load of the cable-car, and maybe closer to 1". When passing the cones, I would suggest first giving each one a good "whack" and then backing off a few paces - people have found wasp nests in those things in the past, and you don't want to be clipped on both sides of the cone, fumbling around trying to unclip one of your leashes while the entire nest empties out in your face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murraysovereign Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Unless you're into that sort of thing, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvashtarkatena Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 (edited) Video is in order Edited January 17, 2014 by tvashtarkatena Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-spotter Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Also there is some serious stretch in the cables, so if you do end up losing balance you can fall over to horizontal (front down) and then bounce back to horizontal (back down) while still clipped to the cable. And getting stung by wasps. People have swum across the river with their thermarest blown up as a raft too. Rather than taking a steel biner you can use a short length of 1/4" or 3/16" steel chain and just clip the end links into your alum biner. Also more friction this way which is good for the uphill leg of the cable. Or go over in style, ride the power. http://www.petzl.com/en/pro/verticality/pulleys/transport-pulleys/tandem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-spotter Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 The steel one is under $100. http://www.petzl.com/en/pro/verticality/pulleys/transport-pulleys/tandem-speed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonG Posted January 17, 2014 Author Share Posted January 17, 2014 Great idea on the short lengths of chain, I like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-spotter Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Great idea on the short lengths of chain, I like it! Wait till you try it before you say you like it. I saw someone trying to Tyrol across the cable, hanging from the cable, take over an hour to get one person across. We canoed 3 across in 10 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonG Posted January 17, 2014 Author Share Posted January 17, 2014 No argument that a boat of any sort is the best way to make the crossing. However, we are a Catholic wilderness group looking for a unique form of penance. The wasps could add a special touch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
num1mc Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 sounds like a pull rope would be in order, so the first and stronger members could yard the weak-scared-frozen-or incompetent across Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
num1mc Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 But given that this is a group, walking across with large packs gets my full endorsement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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