Page 26 - Rappelling

Top: Bluewater 1-inch climb-spec nylon webbing is rated at 18 kN tensile strength (4,047 lbs.).
Bottom: REI 1-inch mil-spec nylon webbing is rated at 17.8 kN tensile strength (4,002 lbs.).

mil-spec webbing in strength, flexibility, knotabil- Climbing shops sell both mil-spec and climb-
ity, and durability. There is minimum exposure to spec 1-inch tubular nylon webbing from spools, cut
individual fibers as a result of high thread count and to any length you wish. Be aware that these spools
fine weave pattern.” Bluewater’s 1-inch climb-spec of webbing contain taped splices where the web-
webbing has been tested to over 6,000 pounds loop bing ends have been joined together with mask-
strength when tied with a water knot. ing tape. It seems impossible for it to happen, but I
The Sterling Rope Company’s version of know of two cases where spliced webbing was sold
climb-spec webbing is called Tech Tape, with to customers who then used it with only the mask-
a “smoother, denser weave and higher tensile ing tape joining the webbing together, in one case
strength” then their mil-spec webbing and a 4,300- with devastating results.
pound tensile strength. Sterling’s mil-spec webbing One advantage of nylon webbing is that it can
is rated to a minimum breaking strength of 4,000 be untied and re-tied around a tree, through a tun-
pounds tensile strength and 6,129 pounds in a nel, or threaded through bolt hangers for a rappel
bartacked sewn loop. anchor. I generally only carry 1-inch webbing
Pre-sewn nylon slings are typically sold in ⁄16- when I know I’ll be rigging rappel anchors and
11
inch (18mm) width, bartacked into 24-inch or leaving it behind.
48-inch loops with a rating of 22 kN (4,946 lbs.) The Bluewater company recommends the
loop strength. maximum lifespan of its nylon webbing to be no

Equipment 15

Rappelling_i-174_3pp_CS55le.indd 15 7/24/13 10:14 AM