ART of Canyoneering

Here’s another use for your VT Prusik. Add a sewn 6mm x 11 inch prusik to make an adjustable lanyard. The VT is about the right length for most people to use as an ascending lanyard. The prusik will allow for fine adjustments. Can also be used as an “easy daisy” for hooking out of potholes.

I’m talking to BlueWater about making some 5-foot pieces for me. Eye sewn on each end. Plan is to create a 2-legged cowstail, similar to a Petzl Spelegyca, with a prusik on the long leg for adjustment.

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The Totem is now available in black at Canyons & Crags.

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Rock Exotica developed two new figure eight devices – the mini and the micro – for special ops teams. I managed to get my hands on one of each and have been experimenting to see if I can come up with canyoneering applications.

The photo shows the mini eight rigged as a releasable block. Haven’t rappelled on it or lowered anyone with it, but it seems quick secure even without a safety carabiner added.

The loop going over the neck would be the lowering mechanism. I made a twist in the rope on the brake strand before looping it over the two horns. Kinda like a cleat hitch.

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Uploaded instructions for Basic Rappelling Methods using the Totem.

The Totem is a very versatile rappelling device. This Tech Guide describes a few of the most common methods – standard figure eight, vertaco and throttle modes – plus how to add friction on the fly and how to lock off mid-rappel

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These photos show the Totem in use in a lowering system during a practice rescue operation conducted as part of a Rigging for Rescue course in Ouray, Colorado.

The rope was rigged on a Scarab in low-friction mode with a Totem rigged behind it in plaquette mode. The Totem provided an auto-locking mechanism. Hands off and the Totem locks off. Lever the bottom end of the Totem to release and lower. Lowering speed can be easily controlled using the lever.

The blue rope in the photos is the anchor rigging. The dark blue cord on the lower left in the upper photo is a prusik standing by for converting the lowering system to a haul.

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