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Topic Date User

I may be slapped for asking this 2-Apr-2009 At 8:24:20 AM hipster

Message

On 1/04/2009 patto wrote:
>Hand over hand is safer and nicer on your hands though it can be a little
>awkward and not smooth. Also it cannot be used on gri gri and other similar
>auto locking devices.
>
>I'm surprised people are not aware of this. All beginners should be taught
>to use two hands for lowering.

It's not taught because it's not safer. It's not a safe practice and should not be used BY BEGINNERS. With hand over hand if you are lowering with just your left hand on the rope with the rope running down your right hand side you are in no position to lock off effectively should your leader require it. Encouraging beginners to move their hands in a direction closer to the friction device is just bad advice, sorry.
Cookie if you can't stop your leader without slippage you may want to try a thicker lead rope, closer to/or 11mm.