Canyon Rope Systems
Canyon Rope Systems Part of the How Not To video series. This video provides an overview of different ways to set up rappels through a canyon, considering ease of rigging, abrasion, ease of rescue and how efficient it is to move people through the canyon. Includes a few esoteric systems, the flow chart and some […]
Alpine Anchors – S.T.R.A.D.S.
Alpine Anchors – S.T.R.A.D.S. Excellent explanation of using STRADS acronym for evaluating anchors. Solid pieces, Timely, Redundant, Angle, Distribution, Shock load. Also addresses pros and cons of various anchor rigging, including: Focused, equalized with Magic X and SWAMP. https://youtu.be/XpwY4vLEKYo
Falling Physics
From the Hard is Easy YouTube channel. Impact forces during Lead Climbing Falls – a bonus episode of their Belaying Masterclass. Understand what role rope length, stretch and friction plays in climbing falls and you will be an awesome belayer. Presented from a climber’s perspective, but the principles apply to canyoneering and other rope disciplines. […]
The Dunning-Kruger Effect
The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which people overestimate their knowledge or ability in a specific area. This tends to occur because a lack of self-awareness prevents them from accurately assessing their own skills. https://youtu.be/4FGnb2lgPBA Please share your comments below. Does anything about the Dunning-Kruger Effect seem familiar? A friend invited you to […]
Sling and Lanyard Basics
Sling and Lanyard Basics From the Hard is Easy YouTube channel. A good primer on slings and lanyards, including material considerations. Presented from a climber’s perspective, but applies to canyoneering and other disciplines as well. https://youtu.be/0gWOiqPAZDw
Crab Claw Via Ferrata Lanyard
Crab Claw Via Ferrata Lanyard I found this video on YouTube providing instructions for tying a crab claw lanyard. Nothing wrong with it in the context in which it is presented. He mentions moving ACROSS a via ferrata and there is footage in the video showing people moving horizontally on cables. But an important caution […]
Rigging Anchors for Balanced Load
With Rob Stringer This video has been extracted from one of Rope Rigging Academy (Australia) training programs. The video presents two rules of thumb for achieving balanced load onto two anchor points. The video also reveals some of the misconceptions relating to balancing load between two anchors points. https://youtu.be/X0SP85S1m4Q
It Depends
Video: It Depends Memorizing a few rules might serve you well when you are just getting started, but ultimately you will encounter situations where the ability to discern when one technique or system is appropriate and when it is not will be critical. In this episode, Rich explains the importance of understanding the reasons behind […]
European Death Knot
Video: EDK In this episode, Rich discusses the flat overhand knot, also known as the European Death Knot (EDK). He explains the proper use of the EDK when connecting two ropes for rappelling and highlights the importance of positioning the knot at the rappel ring. Rich demonstrates how to tie the EDK and provides cautions […]
Gear Museums
Historical Hardware Carabiner rappels, carabiners with brake bars, hooks, horns, plates, tubes, figure eights, eights with ears, complex eights, spools, bobbins, and so much more. Step back in time and marvel at the ingenuity that went into all the devices people used for rappelling, belaying, climbing and ascending. Some of the gear is still around […]
Nudo Mariposa (Butterfly Knot)
https://youtu.be/gbvvzT_OKV0 El nudo mariposa alpino es un nudo para formar un lazo fijo en el medio de una cuerda. Puede ser hecho en una cuerda sin acceso al final de los extremos; esto es una ventaja cuando se trabaja con largas cuerdas de escalada. El nudo mariposa alpino es un nudo excelente de línea media […]
Safety Eight – Ocho Imperdible
Safety Eight Diego is narrating in Spanish, but the demo is easy to follow even without audio. He is rigging a standard figure eight device in both standard mode and vertaco mode in a way that dramatically reduces the chances of dropping the device. Una técnica básica pero fundamental en cañonismo, el “Ocho imperdible” nos […]