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Explanation please (Re: 2 belay loops)

Original Post
skeeter · · Lakewood CA · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 10

I'm looking at the Metolius harness and wondering the benefit of 2 belay loops on a multi-pitch. Can someone explain what is going on in a multi-pitch climb that requires 2 belay loops (aside from aid climbing)?

Max Supertramp · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 95

redundundundundundundundancy, er redundancy redundancy

Mike Kaserman · · Salt Lake City · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 0

To be truly safe, of course, you should wear two harnesses.

Bill M · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 317

For aid climbing you could have two daisy chains and a fifi hook all coming of the center of the your harness. Two loops help keep things cleaner

skeeter · · Lakewood CA · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 10

To be more specific I was referring to this phrase on the SAFE TECH ALL-AROUND CLIMBING HARNESS "Two belay/rappel loops make setting up for rapples and multi-pitch belays easier"

JKzxcv · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 10
Scott Gardiner wrote:To be more specific I was referring to this phrase on the SAFE TECH ALL-AROUND CLIMBING HARNESS "Two belay/rappel loops make setting up for rapples and multi-pitch belays easier"
If your clipped in your anchor and getting ready to rap it can be annoying to have 2 or 3 carabiners on one belay loop interfering with eachother. Same thing with a hanging belay, it's bothersome to have multiple carabiners on one belay loop while your belaying off it.
Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974

Two loops will work for rapples, but you really need three for efficient repels.

Tony B · · Around Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 24,665

The only real convelience I can think of it that you can tie in between them and still always have one on "the right side" to belay on no matter what. But I wouldn't want that.

Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974

Seriously though, I like to use two seperate rappel devices on each rappel, to maintain a margin of safety. Like a figure 8 on one loop and an ATC on the other. If you use the same loop for both locking biners they can rub together, unfasten each other and release the rope.

ChristopherAust · · Ohio · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 25

I like to use both for rappels when I put my atc extended on a sling and have a backup prussik underneath connected to the other loop.

Sam Lightner, Jr. · · Lander, WY · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 2,732

Its so you can clip their hoop style ear rings in on both sides.

skeeter · · Lakewood CA · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 10

Thanks, my question has been answered, enjoyed the humor too. Cheers all

Tony B · · Around Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 24,665
Sam Lightner, Jr. wrote:Its so you can clip their hoop style ear rings in on both sides.
Hoops??? Gauge dude... And you call yourself a hipster!?!?!?!
Jon Zucco · · Denver, CO · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 245

real hipsters don't wear earrings. wait. what's a hipster?

Kevin Stricker · · Evergreen, CO · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 1,197

Two loops are very convenient while rope soloing and following pitches on Jumars. In both situations you tend to have a backup knot clipped into your belay loop. The weight of which pulls the loop down. Now every time you reach up with a daisy(or Jumar) you are pulling up against that loop. Might not seem too bad, but after 1000+ cycles it adds up. With two loops one is delegated to your backup knot and the other is your attachment for everything else.

That is at least how I use the big gun BD harness, most of my climbing is rope solo.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
Jon Zucco wrote:real hipsters don't wear earrings. wait. what's a hipster?
Why did the hipster burn the roof of his mouth?

He ate his pizza before it was cool.
Jon Zucco · · Denver, CO · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 245

that doesn't answer my question.

paintrain · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 75

I found this to be the most informative in regards to the existential metaphysical question of "What is a hipster"

cracked.com/funny-4573-hips…

I thought this graph was also a good summary:



PT

Jon Zucco · · Denver, CO · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 245

I see. Thanks, the graphic explains it all.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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