imagineero
Addicted to ArboristSite
I don't know how they arrived at that figure, but again, I'll state that it exceeds by far the pre existing standard of a prussik which will slip at as little as 4kn. We're a fussy bunch for sure. For me, I'd never buy a zig zag. I think it's a poor design, too large and cumbersome, and I just plain don't like the look of it. I borrowed a spiderjack for a while and tried that too, but it was really finnicky to use. Maybe it's because I'm too heavy. It seems to suit climbers who weigh a lot less than I do. Maybe that's the trouble with mechanical devices in general, and the biggest reason why there hasnt yet (to my mind) been a suitable replacement for the friction hitch created. Friction hitches are so tunable for different scenarios. There are many variables in our game; weight of the climber, diameter of the rope, friction at the crotch, or friction saver, wet rope, old rope, fast descent, slow descent, different types of ropes etc.... not only can you change between different types of hitches easily, but any given hitch can be tied, set and dressed to give you the amount of friction you are looking for. You can really tweak them to get what you want. That's something that I haven't found with mechanical devices; they're sort of a 'one setting' kind of a deal.
The funniest thing is, I was rock climbing, caving, canyoning, doing rescue work and industrial access for many years before I came to tree climbing. I just couldn't accept the friction hitch as a work positioning tool initially. It seemed crazy! I'd used prussiks in past as a back up, or for ascending in a pinch, but would never dream of using a single prussik as my only life support. I started climbing trees using mechanical ascenders and descenders which is what I was familiar with. What a pain! Reluctantly I started trying hitches, and I realised it was the only tool that suited this type of work. Hitches themselves are far from foolproof, they require strict attention. One wrong move and you can easily take a ride to the ground. I can see a day where hitches will be banned by safety departments for use. They're not legal in any other industrial/roped discipline. Hopefully there is a more suitable mechanical device available by that time.
I'd suggest you contact petzl directly, put your name on the list and see how they resolve your problem. They have a long track record of being great supporters of industry. Not just in terms of industry specific products, but as educators, and sponsors of events. They've been great long term supporters of rock climbing in general, funding competitions, creating new routes, encouraging people to participate. Not just as a one off, but year after year, around the world. It would be a good thing for our industry to have that kind of support.
Shaun
