The website of Kong Bonaiti is www.kong-it.com but I think they only have the huge winged 8s. About 60 miles from my place there’s a shop where they have following normal size 8s with wings:
DMM “Anka”: this model has in addition a twist between the big and the small hole so that when using the 8 in combination with a climbing harness, the big hole is facing you.
RA/SMC: diam. big hole 60.3 mm, the model with wings has one big and two small holes above each other, the bottom one being ovalised.
CMC: they have the big “Recue 8” and a smaller version, the “Rappel 8” diam. 57.1 mm.
Stubai AustriAlpin model “Special”: ovalised holes, flat shape.
Faders “Ballet” : tiny model, only 80 grs. in addition it has the wings perforated (to dissipate heat and/or attach the 8 in order not to lose it).
The website of this shop is www.barrabes.es , they also sell through the net.
Rich’ solution to a bobber rappel works very well. Two remarks: nobody likes being lowered like a sack of potatoes. A solution to this is to install the rope in the same way but with the height approximately, on the short side. This way, when the first person rappels on his own, goes over the edge and can see the bottom of the chute, he can just signal how much more rope he needs (practise your whistle signals !). Secondly, I get nervous at the tought of someone being attached and in a lot of action (in a waterfall, against rocks, through small bassins, maybe wrestling with a few branches) by a munter hitch blocked by a mule knot. . .
Sure you can block the mule knot with another knot or a carabiner, but you’ll loose the “quick release” option we’re looking for.
About the French and German handbooks: make sure you got the latest version of the French one, it got off the presses in april 1999 and was available a few months later. It’s a huge improvement over the earlier version. Both books are very good but you can note that Stefan is influenced by a climbing background (I am just guessing, am I right Stefan ?) and the French book was written by a group of authors who come from a caving background (underground should be a better definition. . .).
I come from neither (kayak & rafting) and like to keep an open mind, because in my opinion we’re dealing with a sport which
has its own rules.
I’m looking forward to reading your book, keep us informed about its progress !
Happy canyons,
Koen
Rich Carlson
Koen,
Thanks for the info re the Kong figure 8’s. I had visited their web site before. The figure 8’s with ears that are illustrated are not the ones to which I referred. Perhaps they are not made by Kong or are no longer being made. They are basically square, have small ears (I am afraid the big ears may catch on something in the water) and have a slight angle (not a twist).
The French book that I have was published in April 1999. There are a number of ways to solve any problem and this book does present some good techniques for many situations. The techniques that I have developed were the result of my background in both climbing and swiftwater rescue. It was a wonderful experience visiting Europe last year and seeing other methods. I believe the U.S. is at least 10 years behind Europe in the development of technical systems for canyoneering. What I learned caused me to modify many of my techniques and completely abandon others.
I have encountered some resistance from American canyoneers who seem to believe they already know all there is to know. This is a shame. The people who have participated in the ACA’s first three courses have raved about the techniques covered. No matter how long you have been canyoneering, there is always more to learn.
Rich