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General Climbing Discussion

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Basic advise needed 2-Aug-2004 At 9:50:12 AM Dino8943

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A couple of lessons learned today and a few less layers of skin

Basicaly I underestimated how strong my instinct to hang on was..
I was trying to down prusik from a high branch. I let go of the branch and the prusik knot didnt catch right away, I made the mistake of grabing the rope above the knot and sliding it down as I fell. Luckily my skin started to burn and I let go of the rope and the knot grabbed hold. I fell about 10 feet before It caught and was only 2-3 feet away from the figure 8 backup I had tied on the way up.

How far apart should the backups figure 8's be? I tied 3 on the way up a 25' branch but had to untie one before I started to descend to avoid blocking the prusik knot. I was clipped on to the second figure eight when I fell.. but still my instinct was to grab the rope.

From now on I think rapelling will be my main way down. Ill keep practising the prusik method just as a back up.. But when you first let go and that knot doesent catch right away.. you need to have nerves of steel not to grab on to the rope and let the knot do its job.

Other than some pretty severe rope burn and nearly losing my lunch ( : I had a very educational day.
Funny thing is.. I was wearing gloves... fingerless gloves! From now Ill be carrying one full fingered pair for descending.

This climbing business is dangerous.. I wish someone had told me

heh