Vertical Archives - Swaygo Gear

Variable Friction

Post author:Scott McCrea
Post published:January 22, 2014
Post category:bars basics Caving descender equipment figure 8 Friction gear instructions micro rack rack rappel test rappelling rope skills technique training Vertical

How to use the greatest feature of a rappel rack. Scott McCrea NSS#40839RL Out-of-control rappels, feeding rope, frustration, and exhaustion are possible results of improper rappel rack use. The friction…

Biner vs. Rack Lever

Post author:Scott McCrea
Post published:November 30, 2012
Post category:biner carabiner Caving equipment failure rack rappel test rappelling rope Vertical videos

Recently, on the Vertical Cavers Facebook page, there was a post about breaking a crossloaded biner with a rack eye. There are documented incidents and fatalities. I even tried it a few years…

Basic Vertical Caving Skills and Challenge

Post author:Scott McCrea
Post published:March 18, 2010
Post category:basics rope skills teaching training Vertical

I have observed and participated in lots of vertical caving classes, sessions and seminars. I was not satisfied. They could be better. They needed to be simpler. I wanted to…

DIY: Petzl Basic Mod

Post author:Scott McCrea
Post published:March 12, 2010
Post category:ascender DIY Petzl Vertical

Here's some DIY that I did. I use a Petzl Basic on my foot for my ropewalker system. I had trouble with the plastic lever catching my opposite foot and…

DIY: QAS Lanyard

Post author:Scott McCrea
Post published:March 2, 2010
Post category:DIY knots QAS rope Vertical

Here's a QAS someone was using to explore a vertical cave. I never got an explanation about the knots. It is amazing what cavers can get accustomed to and tolerate.…

Rappel Test and SAD

Post author:Scott McCrea
Post published:May 14, 2009
Post category:rappel test rappelling SAD technique Vertical videos

Thud. "Uggh." I heard it this weekend—the sound of coverall-ed flesh smacking limestone. Luckily, very luckily, the caver fell backwards wedging across the top of the canyon. He had a…