Page 147 - Rappelling

Rappelling with a Grigri. The Petzl Stop.

Rappel Rack

Really just a high-tech version of a carabiner brake
system, the rappel rack is favored by cavers for mak-
ing long drops on free-hanging ropes into deep pits
and sumps. Because it has few moving parts (unlike
the Petzl Stop or Petzl Grigri), it is less likely to be
rendered inoperable due to the wet, muddy, or dirty
ropes often encountered in a caving environment.
The rappel rack does not impart twists to the
rope, and the device dissipates heat by using mul-
tiple brake bars. The rack’s big advantage is that
more friction can be added as needed, based on
the weight of the rope below the device and the
terrain. One way to do this is to simply add and
The Trango Cinch is another popular assisted engage more brake bars into the system. Another
braking device that can also be used for way is by adjusting the brake bars and pushing them
rappelling. closer together. For a big free-hanging rappel, the

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