You make some very good points in both posts, Dave. The climbing knot you referred to (both the Bachmann and Klemheist knot) are relatively easy and were in use long before we had all the fancy metal hanging off our rack.
Never had any interest in spelunking, but the information about their ropes sends me in a new direction. ----- Original Message ---- From: David Shaddock <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 10:24:28 PM Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: bosun's chair alternative Bob, just a followup on my previous post about tying climber’s knots instead of buying hardware—the knots I was first thinking of are Prusik knots (and the Double Prusik—more secure). The only requirement for those is that you tie yourself to the halyard you’re climbing with a line that’s smaller diameter than the line you’re climbing. But I had forgotten about the Bachmann knot and the Klemheist knot, both of which use carabiners (sort of inside the wrapped part of the knot) as handles to make them easier to work. If a climber can show them to you, it’s better, but you can learn them from a book and try ‘em out. I do suggest either getting a little practice at a climbing gym, which usually has about four feet or so of shredded rubber tires to cushion any falls, or go out to a tree and practice with an old halyard before trying to climb a mast in front of all your buddies. (I guess my insurance agent would be horrified that I had suggested practicing on an old rope in your yard. I guess it would be better to go to a neighbor’s house and borrow HIS old rope and HIS tree. A rich neighbor, preferably.) Dave Shaddock From:[email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 2:12 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: bosun's chair alternative Thanks Dave. My research over the past two days tells me that 1) don't use a boat halyard as these ascenders eat throught the outer rope (Of course, I don't think anyone goes up their mast often enough to make that truly a problem) and 2) the frog system uses less parts (so less expensive) than the ropewalker/ATN but uses more effort than the ropewalker. Frog system is $210 at GGG and $177 (minus harness, about $50) at Kartsports. I haven't checked REI yet (physical store is not very close) or Moosejaw (physical store is 5 miles away). Bob -------------- Original message -------------- From: "David Shaddock" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Bob, here’s an excerpt from a Cruising World post that describes a home-assembled Frog system. By the way, the ATN is definitely the GGG’s Ropewalker system, but people say it’s built of inferior materials at a higher price (although it includes a hard board chair). Some suggest just going to a local climbing studio and buying a couple of Petzl ascenders and building your own—which could be done for either a Ropewalker or a Frog system. Myself? I prefer the Frog—you use both legs at once and you’re always balanced. Excerpt below: My son is a mountain climber and gave me 2 Gibb ratchets. They are like a cam cleat (but obviously safer and a bit more sophisticated). They cost $40 apiece. The first thing you do is attach the main halyard to the base of the mast and tighten it bar-hard. Attach the 2 cleats to the halyard, one lower than the other. Attached to the top cleat is a climbing harness or bosun's chair. Attached to the lower cleat is line with 2 foot-loops. Operation: STEP 1 - You simply sit on the bosun's chair and slide the lower cleat up until it hits the bottom of the upper cleat. This can be done because there is no weight on the foot straps. STEP 2 - stand up (which takes weight off the bosun's chair) and slide the upper cleat up the halyard. STEP 3 - repeat STEP 1. I have a 62-foot mast and go up and down it easily to spray my sail-track, inspect shrouds, or do other maintenance. They can be purchas ed at REI or any mountain shop. ... The gibb ascender is "cleat-like". One end of the cleat is a jaw and the other end is a lever. When you want to come down you lift the lever which withdraws the jaw. This can only be done when there is no load on that particular ascender. If the ascender is loaded (weight on) then it is "impossible" to lift the lever. I use 2 ascenders, my harness is attached to the top one and a "texas tee" foot strap is attached to the lower ascender. Advice from Al Hatch says to run a safety strap from the harness to the lower ascender also. From:[email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 12:29 PM To: [email protected] Subject: catalina27-talk: bosun's chair alternative I have ordered a petzl-corax climing harness to replace my (recalled) buson's chair. Apparently some of you are knowledgable about climbing. How does the GGG (Gonzo Guano Gear) Frog system compare to Petzl Frog Ascending system, the rope walking system and ATN Topclimber? I suspect the Topclimber is the marine version of the rope walking system, but don't know. The ATN Topclimber is about $324, the Petzl Frog System is $177.50 at kartsports.com (but needs a harness, which I now have). Bob Mann
