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Solo Tag Rack Picks

Original Post
Jeff Harmon · · New Jersey · Joined Mar 2016 · Points: 260

Just gathering beta on how to construct mine. NOTE: Not the system, just the rack itself. Was thinking of hanging two 8mm loops off the fifi.

Thanks!

Kevin DeWeese · · @failfalling - Oakland, Ca · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 981
Peter Zabrok · · Hamilton, ON · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 645

Second link above is the best.

Mark's video, Chongo's invention, I invented the slippery overhand backup, Mark introduced the slotted fifi from Petzl, far and away the best fifi for the application.

I've used this solo aid rack technique on a number of my solos, but not my last solo of Horseplay. Why not?

Kate pointed out to me how long it takes to set this thing up mid-pitch, and how long it takes to haul everything up, and then set it up again. "Just take what you think you will need for the pitch, and if you DO run out of gear, just rap down to the belay and grab it. Rapping down, grabbing the gear, and jugging back up is actually faster than tagging."

Hey guess what, she was right. When I soloed Horseplay - a NTB aid route in terms of difficulty - I just grabbed what I thought I needed, and did the pitch. A few times I ran out of gear, I just rapped down and grabbed it. Faster and easier.

What I *DID* do on my last solo was use the Double Tagging Technique, which was using a separate [third] rope, and had a 50 to 60% body weight Double Tag Load on a fifi down at the anchor. When I rapped the haul line, I used a separate hauling device on the third rope to pull up my Double Tag Load "for free". This was huge in terms of saving energy hauling.

I brought up my massive kit using a 2:1 haul in a single load right from the start, and never had to work that hard, never had to use 3:1. And remember, the bottom part of this route - Dihedral to Horse Chute - is less than vertical. So the loads rub against the wall.

Had I not used this "free hauling" Double Tag haul system, I would have worked a lot harder, that's for sure. I did get lucky in that the pigs never snagged on the less-than-vertical terrain.

Same setup using the slippery overhand backup knot. Really bitchin' with the slotted fifis I bought! You'll need a second hauling device though.

Mark Hudon · · Lives on the road · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 420

I'm not going to tag on my next solo. I rarely need gear mid pitch and if I do, I'm just going to rap down and get it.

Mark Hudon · · Lives on the road · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 420

Oh, Jeff, none of us answered your question.

When you pull up your tag kit, it's going to wing across any face and spin and slam into anything it can. In all that winging, spinning and crashing, there is a good chance something is going to pop off of your slings. At the very least, I'd put the gear into some sort of bag. A Metolius Wall Bag or a Fish Beef Bag would be perfect.

Good luck, have fun and be safe.

Jeff Harmon · · New Jersey · Joined Mar 2016 · Points: 260
Mark Hudon wrote:Oh, Jeff, none of us answered your question. When you pull up your tag kit, it's going to wing across any face and spin and slam into anything it can. In all that winging, spinning and crashing, there is a good chance something is going to pop off of your slings. At the very least, I'd put the gear into some sort of bag. A Metolius Wall Bag or a Fish Beef Bag would be perfect. Good luck, have fun and be safe.
Hi Mark,

Thanks for the follow up. RE: Metolius Wall Bag...are those these: metoliusclimbing.com/big_wa…

or something like this:
amazon.com/gp/product/B002I…
Mark Hudon · · Lives on the road · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 420

Yes, the Metolius Stuff Sacks.
They are not going to last forever, use a small Metolius Haul Pack for that, but they will easily last one low angle route.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Big Wall and Aid Climbing
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