Steel Cable Tyrolean

So tonight a friend and I had to cross a steel cable tyrolean to get to Mission Wall in Clear Creek Canyon, CO. I am wondering what the proper way to cross a cable tyrol is?

I use them often in Boulder Canyon with a carabiner but those are rope and it slides easily. (Please let me know if this is incorrect, also)

I tried this method on the cable and immediately I knew it wasn't right with metal on metal. I stopped to think of a different way but if I used a sling it would cause more friction and probably cut my sling. I continued across with my biner knowing I was sacrificing it. When I got to the other side it had eaten a 1/4 of the way through my biner. (Hoperfully I didn't cause to much damage to the cable.)

My friend had a pulley that he used. It was a little better after he crossed but it got some pretty good scratches on it also.

Can someone please describe the proper way to cross a steel cable tyrolean? I hate misusing things that support me. I cringe when I get to the top of 5th of July and Cracker Jack at High Wire in CCC and see half eaten chains from people TR'ing through them.

Thanks,

Coil

Metal pulleys are the best I know of.

I don't have any so I use an old biner. It is a pain to cross and the biner gets ruined for climbing. The cable is made of steel so you won't be hurting it with your softer aluminum biner.

A steel pulley (petzl speed) is best. If using a carabiner be sure and use a steel one as an aluminum one will wear through pretty quick.

Yes, a steel pulley is the only really safe option if this is something you do regularily. Petzl and others make several for ziplines. You can get away with a backed up steel biner.

Aircraft cable will cut through an aluminum biner scary fast. I've ruined a couple biners just pulling them along a cable unweighed. If you have to use biners, I would set up several backup biners in a way that they were unweighted until they were need for backup. Also, I would have my partner lower me out so I didn't zipline across.

Evan

You were right to not do it with a carabiner, especially an aluminum one.

Years ago a guy named Terry did a tyrolean over Devil's Sinkhole in Texas, a pit easily 200 ft. deep. He slapped an aluminum carabiner on and hopped off, sliding down a steel cable that had been affixed to one side near the top. When Terry's ride ended, the aluminum carabiner had worn through to a mere sliver of remaining metal in a deep groove. With puckered sphincter, Terry logged the lesson into his memory and got off the cable.

As for using pulleys with nylon rollers, that works but it destroys the roller. Mine got grooves that match the cable windings. I doubt it will allow more than a few crossings. Try to avoid this.

another option would be to have a steel screw link attached to the cable, and then you can clip into that with whatever. little steel pulley would be good. I think they have steel pulleys at home depot.

ok that last part was a joke.

Honestly I've had good luck with those steel pulleys from the home depot. They are kinda a pain in the ass to put on the cable, but they work great and take a loooong time to ware, not to mention they only cost $5.

PS... if you see half eatin' chains from people toproping through them, keep a list of what routes and go replace them. If everyone gives a little back, we would not have this problem. And if you don't feel comfortable doing it your self, donate a couple bucks to someone who does.

Cheers

Montywrote: Honestly I've had good luck with those steel pulleys from the home depot. They are kinda a pain in the ass to put on the cable, but they work great and take a loooong time to ware, not to mention they only cost $5. PS... if you see half eatin' chains from people toproping through them, keep a list of what routes and go replace them. If everyone gives a little back, we would not have this problem. And if you don't feel comfortable doing it your self, donate a couple bucks to someone who does. Cheers

Hey Monty. Would love a Home Depot recommendation. Happy to pay more than $5 but we’re coming up empty trying to find something appropriate. Grateful for any suggestions that’s not the $80-100+ solution. Thanks!

besides a steel pulley, another option would be a steel carabiner.  years ago I got tired of replacing my belay/rappel carabiner every year, and switched to a heavy steel locking carabiner.  Well over ten years, and no visible wear.  and a steel carabiner sliding on a steel cable is no more likely to damage the cable than it is to damage the carabiner.  neither will show appreciable wear from use -- just wear gloves so you don't burn yourself unclipping after a slide of any length,

-Haireball

Deredacted Youngwrote:

. Grateful for any suggestions 

shop locally and go to wilderness exchange in denver or any climbing store and get a steel biner or use an old aluminum biner if a short span but for instance mission wall has steel rings on the cable to use if u go there 

Curt Hairewrote:

besides a steel pulley, another option would be a steel carabiner.  years ago I got tired of replacing my belay/rappel carabiner every year, and switched to a heavy steel locking carabiner.  Well over ten years, and no visible wear.  and a steel carabiner sliding on a steel cable is no more likely to damage the cable than it is to damage the carabiner.  neither will show appreciable wear from use -- just wear gloves so you don't burn yourself unclipping after a slide of any length,

-Haireball

Thanks. This is good advice.  (and thanks to the others too)  I've got plenty plenty of steelies and the rig setup for the approach to the originally mentioned crag has actually been upgraded with very accommodating gear.  My interest just piqued with Monty's $5 home depot steel pulley.  'cuzzzz I'd def be down for that.  We could have fun races.  I was even thinking of how fast I could zip my dog across with a tag line on a pulley.

Side note edit, important p.s. I think I saw Monty was recently injured in a biking accident.  From the online post, injured (as in) requiring surgery and requiring a significant amount of downtime, but I think I saw he'd recover with time.  Please send along your best and positive wishes for him.  He's been very progressive in development of areas - we are SUPER grateful!

This is an old old post, but mission wall now has several steel rap rings on it that you use to cross. Should be uneventful

Cory Nwrote:

This is an old old post, but mission wall now has several steel rap rings on it that you use to cross. Should be uneventful

Thanks Cory. Yep.  I'm still looking to help save the life of the rings.  There are only 5 or 6 and I've been over there at times where folks have used all the rings to get across.  Or more than our party used to get over so someone was left without one - or - we rock-paper-scissors for the person that goes over to retrieve other rings for people.

If all the rings are over there, climb somewhere else haha. Steel carabiners (from HD) are your best bet for crossing that cable. Sure you could buy more specialized widgets, but how many times per year are you crossing?

Cory Nwrote:

If all the rings are over there, climb somewhere else haha. Steel carabiners (from HD) are your best bet for crossing that cable. Sure you could buy more specialized widgets, but how many times per year are you crossing?

However many times it takes to send the project.