Hi all,
Just looking for some advice on what size range (and quantity) of slings is prudent to have for chicken heads. I see lots of beta that state to bring slings for this but I haven't yet done these. Also, i lean more towards getting the 1" tube and inside-out knotting them to my desired length. Does the 1" tube work okay for heads or should i plan on picking up some sewn 3/4" slings?

Thanks!!
Daryl

I typically use the sewn runners with slipknot. I sometimes use dyneema but have recently heard a rumor that it isn't good to use dyneema because it doesn't stretch. I guess that puts more pressure on the chicken head potentially making it break? Anyone know about this?

Thanks for the feedback on this. So would 1" sling be too thick? I don't have much of the smaller sewn slings so i'm trying to figure out if i should go pick some up. Please forgive the ignorance but what is a standard - length runner? I have a few 60cm (23") bd runners, is this what is considered standard length? Seems like you would need some long enough to give a good 6-8" (min) tail past the slipknot; enough to be weighted with pro if needed.

Hey Daryl, the only way to figure out what works on chicken heads is to go out and get on a route and place some webbing on the ones you think will hold a a fall

Hi Daryl,
Seeing that you are from Sierra Vista, I would guess that we climb in some of the same areas. I prefer the narrower runners in a double shoulder length for two reasons. One, some of the heads around here are huge and the extra length is helpful and two, some of the heads don't have great lips on them and the extra length keeps the friction of the rope running through the biner from lifting the runner off the head.

You can buy sewn nylon, spectra or Dyneema runners in this length or you can just buy some 9/16" supertape at a climbing shop and make your own with a water knot. The advantage of tying your own that it's cheap and therefore you don't sweat it if you get to a a rap station full of worthless tat and need to re-rig it. I think a double runner is 48"- you'll need to buy a little extra because the knot will take up about 6-8 inches including the tails. Make sure your tails are long enough and weight your slings to cinch the knot.

useless drivel.

9/16" or 11/16" x 5' = shoulder length runner good for the thinnest. Most chickenheads in the stonghold have excellent lips and can take 1" tubular as well.

Go do the 4 star first pitch of "Great Gig in the Sky" (FA Grossman, Ladin). A 5.10 version of What's My Line w/ nearly all chickenhead (Bill Lefevre used 9, DDC used 4). 1" work fine.

I like the thinner stuff myself, just 'cause its easier to carry more and sometimes it seems to work better. Wider is nice for some stuff too, especially if the sling is held on by friction (and sometimes I'll hang a cam from it to keep it in place).

I use the Mammut 8mm slings, along with BW climb spec 9/16" tied slings. Standard length for me is something that will fit over my shoulder, ie, shoulder length.

Also like a couple double length slings too.

As well as a couple of "rabbit runners" (BW sling, pre-sewn).