I run both legs through to save wear on the rope if it's in a natural crotch.
Yet Another Figure 8 question
- Thread starter WolfpactVI
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I run both legs through to save wear on the rope if it's in a natural crotch.
WolfpactVI
ArboristSite Lurker
Thanks! So I assume you untie the one end of the rope from your saddle and pull enough over the crotch so that end reaches the ground?
WolfpactVI
ArboristSite Lurker
So Wesspur has a "bent ear figure eight" and "mini eight". Any recommendations for one or t'other?
Thatbent ear 8 is what I use. It's big enough for your doubled climbline or a 3/4 inch bullrope if your combing down a spar. And yes, run both legs to the ground. I like to tie a bowline or clip a carabiner around the leg already on the ground so that as I lower the other side they will both follow the same path to the ground.
PassionForTrees
ArboristSite Operative
Earlier in my climbing days I used a figure eight, it is great to have so many tools in the toolbox and have the experience in using them all. Over time I have found that my figure eight doesnt get used anymore. Most of the time the only reason would be to come down, and if we are coming down with an eight it would be fast and fun. Now adays we are not flying down anymore it's just wrecking your gear. take is steady and safe youll get down. There were times when we set a line to come down then pull the butt over, that was a common reason for the eight, now I tie the rope to fell the but, but my last cut I have used a landyard and my climbing line in a ring and ring crotch saver so Im already comfortable as can be and safe as can be, then Im not rappelling off the same rope we are pulling trees and rigging with. Youll play around a bit with the hitches you will choose to use, after you find yours, I bet money youll just come down on your hitch and skip the eight all together, but it is a good practice to keep it fresh when doing rescues.. Climb safe brother!
beastmaster
Addicted to ArboristSite
Professional or foolish? I don't want no one to do anything their not comfortable with. Iv seen two bad accidents in my life related to figure 8's that would of been prevented if it had been backed up with a prussic. 30 years ago or so I made my first 8 plate in my garage, we did a lot of unsafe things back then. Practice Safety always.(Still it is an e ticket ride falling out of a 90 foot tree on an 8, and stopping just before you crash.)
imagineero
Addicted to ArboristSite
I don't think an 8 is all that useful of a tool. I come from a background of many roped disciplines (rock climbing, caving, industrial access, caving, canyoning) and got started when I was a young teen. The 8 was the only thing I could afford, and it has a bunch of uses sure. You can rig them backwards for extra friction. But it's big, bulky and heavy, and it twists your rope. Locking it off is a pain.
For a simple descent tool, It's hard to go past a sticht plate/ATC/pigs nose etc. They weigh nothing, you can use them to descend single or double rope, they're cheap, and the ride is nice.
A gri gri is not a bad tool either, and you can use it for a bunch of purposes. You can setup a z link ascending system with one, use it for rescue lower off, use it to descend (it locks), and you can even use it for light in tree rigging, or as a secondary rigging point with a floating rig.
There are a bunch of specialised tools out there... racks, whales tails, 8's, gri gris, sticht plates, etc etc... I own most of them, but I just use a hitch cord. Who needs to carry all that stuff?
Shaun
For a simple descent tool, It's hard to go past a sticht plate/ATC/pigs nose etc. They weigh nothing, you can use them to descend single or double rope, they're cheap, and the ride is nice.
A gri gri is not a bad tool either, and you can use it for a bunch of purposes. You can setup a z link ascending system with one, use it for rescue lower off, use it to descend (it locks), and you can even use it for light in tree rigging, or as a secondary rigging point with a floating rig.
There are a bunch of specialised tools out there... racks, whales tails, 8's, gri gris, sticht plates, etc etc... I own most of them, but I just use a hitch cord. Who needs to carry all that stuff?
Shaun
2treeornot2tree
Dont cry, just do it
I was retaking a rope rescue class as a refresher a couple years ago for the fire company. I had already taken the class years before but they switched instructors. This instructor hated rappel racks and did t want to teach there use even though it was on the class itenorary. I found out this instructor loaded his wrong and fell 3 story's to the concrete. Luckily he had gloves on and was able to slow him self down before he hit so he didnt get hurt. What happen is he was arguing with another instructor about what the proper way to exit a window was and loaded the device wrong.
The less time you into and retie in the tree the less your chances are to screw up.
Iustinian
ArboristSite Operative
those rappel racks looked fun, but I agree, easy to screw up for someone not used to using them. The figure 8 is very simple. Just dont waste your money on a pirana unless you really want to come down slow enough that you may as well have a magazine to read during your descent.
Guran
ArboristSite Operative
I'm using my Gri-Gri with a static 10,5 mm (access) rope. has anybody tried it with a 1/2 inch (12 mm) arborist rope?
I have a New England Hi Vee, but have not tried that combo yet. Can imagine that a 12 mm rope would be a bit bulky for the Gri-Gri?
Guran.
beastmaster
Addicted to ArboristSite
First time I used a Gri Gri it was with 1/2" line, it was bulky and slow, and not free flowing at all. Wouldn't lower at all DRT unless I feed it. I use 11mm and its pretty nice and I am getting some 10mm snake bite soon, looking forward to that.
2treeornot2tree
Dont cry, just do it
A half inch rope is almost 13 mm. A gri gri wont work on 1/2" rope. If you want something simular that does, try the petz, id or rig. They are designed for 1/2" rope, but its also tight in them.
Guran
ArboristSite Operative
Yes, I know that Gri-Gri 2 is designed to work with 8.9 to 11 mm ropes, and is optimized for 9.4 mm to 10.3 mm ropes.
But I was just curious if it was possible at all to use a 12 mm rope. So now i know.
Thanks.
Guran.
But I was just curious if it was possible at all to use a 12 mm rope. So now i know.
Thanks.
Guran.
Iustinian
ArboristSite Operative
slow slow slow
WolfpactVI
ArboristSite Lurker
So my conclusion is, I may get an 8 sometime just for fun, and to practice with just so I know how to use it. But from everything posted so far, it seems it would not have a huge benefit unless I was making very long descents often (which I dont). Thanks everyone for the replies and experience.
if you use a friction saver, the figure 8 isn't bad. natural crotch and you'll wish you weighed 300 lbs. they do have uses. I carry one incase I need lowered. I use mine for tensioning a zip line when I am doing that part instead of the ground guy. basically, one end is fixed to an object. the line runs up through a block/crotch and down through the 8. the 8 is attached to a sling. its not bad if you are sending lots of pieces per move. you can also use it as an in tree lowering device. its slower than having a groundie do it but, I just cant sit still. I don't go down and unhook it or anything. sometimes I would rather them stay busy on the clean up so Its done when I get down. I've never shock loaded it. I would guess that's probly not a good idea.
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