Rope Work
Modern single rope technique uses specialized devices for both descent and ascent, and low-stretch kernmantel rope of 8 mm-11 mm diameter. Descent (abseiling or rappeling) uses various forms of friction brake to control speed. The most commonly used are the Petzl Stop(self-locking) and Bobbin, and rappel racks. For safe single rope technique, especially on drops with complex rigging with intermediate belays, it is essential that the abseiling device can be removed from the rope without being unclipped from the harness. This is a problem with the simplest device, the single piece figure eight. Other essential items of a personal single rope technique set are a sit harness and one or more safety cords (“cow’s tails”) terminated in carabiners, for temporary attachment to safety ropes at the heads of drops and used in maneuvers at intermediate rope belays. To pass intermediate belays on a descent, the ascending devices may also be required.
