tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999180319871237913.post5748809041239123388..comments2023-05-21T07:03:31.272-07:00Comments on The adventures of nickyjusa: Petzl Basic Ascender AKA My new best friendnickyjusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915302205650257233noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999180319871237913.post-89526453435797330162011-03-07T09:04:01.016-08:002011-03-07T09:04:01.016-08:00I know this post is old but perhaps you may be abl...I know this post is old but perhaps you may be able to help anyway. I want to do a bit of top rope soloing just so I can spend some undisturbed time practicing. So whats the dealio when i'm half way up a climb, completely beat and want to go home... how do I get myself down, can the Basic be used to descend, I know it says it can in the instructions but not sure if it actually can from self belay position. <br /><br />Thank you's<br />BrendanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999180319871237913.post-6921260467588630512010-04-18T05:47:57.693-07:002010-04-18T05:47:57.693-07:00Nice post. I use the Basic for TR soloing, too. ...Nice post. I use the Basic for TR soloing, too. Just thought I'd say that in the pic of your Basic, the biner is clipped and oriented in way that Petzl expressly says not to clip the Basic for this application in the directions. You want the biner around the rope. Sorry to be so anal-compulsive and you probably knew that already and just wanted a pic of the device. Cheers,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999180319871237913.post-63134374804326043682009-07-27T20:58:26.014-07:002009-07-27T20:58:26.014-07:00Great advice! I've been climbing solo on top-...Great advice! I've been climbing solo on top-rope for years! When you climb alone, you are less distracted - and more focused! Personally, I find that is when my safest climbing comes out. <br /><br />To be sure, solo lead-climbing is a whole different monster... with different gear and a whole bunch of other skills, but soloing on top-rope can be very safe, and a whole lot of fun! <br /><br />As a one-time hi-rise window cleaner, I feel plenty safe enough to belay myself, and have even done so when other climbing partners were around (easy climbing... why bother someone else?). But I always remember to bring with me a few items, in case I get into trouble... (rock-fall injury, scorpion bite, heat stroke, etc.)... and have to bail-out fast.<br /><br />1. I always bring two descenders (attached to seperate gear loops).<br />2. I always bring an extra ascender, or a prusic loop.<br />3. Some extra biners and some webbing, or a few extra runners.<br />4. Most importantly, all of that extra emergency gear doesn't help you if you're not familiar with how to use it! I recommend to anyone wanting to solo-climb on a top-rope, that you definitely practice switching out to a rappel device, and also practice climbing a rope with two ascenders, as well. Each has it's difficulties, but you need those skills in order to be safe when you are all alone!<br /><br />Gotta go, but I'd love to hear more from other solo top-ropers to see what kinds of gear set-ups are being used. <br /><br />TOP-ROPING ROCKS!!!<br /><br />Climb On! -Sandstone Corey, YO!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com