Simul Rapping

Scott Heinz

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Jul 7, 2010, 12:50:00 PM7/7/10

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Anyone have advice on how to simul-rap with two people of very
different weights. I know using a munter will work, but it seems
like way to much effort to pull the rope. It's about a 70lbs
difference in weight

She doesn't like my ideas of fattening her up, or putting rocks in
the backpack- Can you believe that!

Does anyone have advice on this?

Regards,
Scott

Deling Ren

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Jul 7, 2010, 1:05:12 PM7/7/10

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My 2 cents: I have done this with people 40 pounds lighter than me. We couldn't even feel the weight difference thanks for the friction in the system. You could also consider tandem rappel. It's a little more awkward but one person can control the rappel while the other untangles the rope below. If you have odd number of people in the team, you could have the last person lock up the rope. Actually if you have her rappel with a heavy backpack trailing between her legs (not on the back) it'd be very comfortable for her and she wouldn't object.

Curiously though, why do you want to do that? I found it complicated and error prone. It doesn't save whole lot of time if everyone is proficient in rappeling.

Deling

Jim Nelson

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Jul 8, 2010, 1:31:57 PM7/8/10

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Scott,

The friction created at the 180 degree bend in the rope - should allow for
quite a bit of weight difference between the two counter-balanced climbers.
It's easy to test. Regards - Jim

Pro Mountain Sports
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Seattle, WA 98105

206-522-1627
www.ProMountainSports.com

Jiri Richter

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Jul 8, 2010, 1:34:41 PM7/8/10

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But it case it doesn't work you can connect both climbers with a double runner.

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Shannon Pahl

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Sep 8, 2010, 3:55:47 PM9/8/10

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I did this successfully with about 75 lbs difference this week-end. The rope went through a set of chains, so I suspect the friction would be higher than if it went through a rap ring. Also, the rap was not free hanging. We used a triple length runner to connect us just in case

Marty Jolly

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Sep 8, 2010, 4:16:50 PM9/8/10

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Recently, I was simul-rapping with someone much heavier than myself -- we connected a locking biner through a knot (same as using a pull cord) to offset the weight difference. We didnt' need to worry about the differnece in weight since the biner kept the rope from slipping through the anchor. I was a bit worried the biner might get caught when pulling the rope, but it never did....