Tried to sneak another canyon in before the snows came…
Here’s a tutorial on that final rap in Mystery, presented by former Montanan, future world traveller Amanda Jessop —
Trip Report
Tried to sneak another canyon in before the snows came…
Here’s a tutorial on that final rap in Mystery, presented by former Montanan, future world traveller Amanda Jessop —
Cameron
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ratagonia
More text (hard to really call it a story) and more pictures HERE at the Latest Rave
Jenny
I hope this doesn’t hijack Tom’s thread but I’d like to offer an explanation about the photo from his link that shows my rappel set up labeled, “For Ram”. Tom’s referring to a serious Jenny Near Miss (aka near death experience).
Last winter, Tom, Ram, Michael Schasch, Tim Hoover and I descended Mystery in beautiful snow and ice conditions. At the second to last rappel, I had a bad case of what we call, “harness interuptis”.
I had successful been birthed through the neck gasket of my drysuit, pulled the zipper from Hell (with help), pulled on my Alpine Bod harness and began to secure the buckle and leg loops as I continued to engage in some conversation.
Thinking myself ready, I clipped into the traverse line, moved across to the anchor where Tom had set the rappel. I had to pooch all the clothing against my chest to gain a view as I threaded the rope through my rappel device. Set now to unclip my safety cord, something felt terribly wrong! I’ve learned through many experiences to pay attention to this feeling of impending doom.
I said to Tom, “Wait! SOMETHING is wrong here! Check me, will you?”
We both visually inspected the set up through my device. We agreed, it was all good. But I felt that something was still terribly WRONG! Further checking showed that the waist strap on my harness was left unthreaded through the buckle! Bingo!
In other words, I was one unclick of a safety tether and one step away from serious injury and/or death. The best I could have hoped for was to hit the big chockstone, literally in the fall line (pun intended) and bounce into the pool below. I may have survived, maybe! Certainly it would not have been pretty.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it a gazillion times again, “Check each other, completely. Double check yourself EVERY time, completely” Don’t let yourself or your pal go off a rappel until you hear the voice in your head say, “100% good to go” and be certain.
Jenny
Kuenn
Just a couple of thoughts. (I did Mystery for the first time back in September, loved it, can’t imagine the added splendor in snow.)
Thinking back to that particular rappel, the use of a safety tether is certainly advisable to safely traverse to the rig point. Personal Attach Safety can also be used to help identify this kind of harness/rigging issue….let me explain.
So, this observation/suggestion may only apply occasionally for some practitioners who optionally use a PAS, and may not be your standard MO, but the use of a PAS/safety-tether can be very valuable in catching this type of (sometimes lifesaving) issues. Load test your rappel rigging prior to releasing the PAS. By load testing, I mean, really load test it. Bounce it a couple of times and see if you are still happy with the setup. Do this prior to calling for a safety check. I’ve witnessed it catching issues, muy mucho.
Another observation, is anytime you’re donning for the first-time or changing your rigging (lol on the dry-suit birthing comment), extra precaution for that safety check. Easy to think, “It’s the same equipment so it should still be safe.” A recent similar issue happened at a training event I attended. Again, it was caught by the potential victim… post-safety check.
Glad you trusted your inner-voice, Jenny. From my experience, it is often easy to confuse that voice with the general inner-voice of caution. The canyon gods whispering, “Not on my watch… today.”
hank moon
Whew! Close call. Thanks for still being here!
Kuenn
Nice slide into home…with cleats up.