Multiple haul bags... multiple swivels?

This thread is super helpful! Thanks to all the posters, and all the setup pics.

Something I don't understand with the far-end device - why does it alleviate the need for a knot protector? Surely the microtrax will just take hits at roofs instead of the knot? Isn't it worth protecting the microtrax in the same way a knot is protected? Or is the idea that you never haul past a roof, but rather have a second on a separate line jockying the bags and using the far end hauler each time there's potential for snagging?

How much are you guys actually using the far end device, other than just for creating a lower out line?

Kevin DeWeese wrote:

Yes it takes the hit instead of a knot. 

Nope it's not worth protecting in the same way as a knot. Turns out that metal is much more robust against being dragged across rock than rope is. The microtrax can get scuffed up over many many walls and never lose a single percent of effecacy and efficiency in this application.

No team of two or more is ever using a far end device.That's what your second or third climber is for. Using a microtrax to connect your rope to the haulbag is not a far end device nor a far end system. True it's the first step (of many) in setting up a far end system, but calling it a far end device would be like calling a 1:1 haul setup that uses a microtrax a 2:1 hauling ratchet.  

The amount you use the microtrax for creating a lowerout line is dependant upon how much the route traverses and thus calls for a lowerout line. But one also will use it to pull in excess haul line before releasing the bags when you know the upcoming pitches will all be of similar length; this will allow for less rope to cluster as the leader hauls. 

Thank you! Exactly the info I needed!

Quinn Hatfield wrote:

As far as that exact version-

The connection: Swivel + Chain Links is great!!

Short hang with good spread.. it’s a good 2 bag set-up..

Connecting the docking tether to just the long haul bag strap as pictured is irritating- as it causes the bag to hang wonky at the belays..

As Kevin said- 

We’ve moved on to new versions of this now.

We have been hanging  one bag low- off a length of rope.. in a train configurations- with a day bag and gear closet hanging at the top- next to the other bag. Keeps the anchor clutter down and makes it easy to access the closet and food/ water.

I do use the cockring on the long haul bag loop of the low bag.. to pull the low bag up to the anchor at bivys- and it works well for that.. 

maybe I’ll post a pic of the set up we are taking on WOEML Friday.. 

Many moons later... did you ever take any sweet sweet pix of this setup?

Kyle Pereira wrote:

Many moons later... did you ever take any sweet sweet pix of this setup?

one moon later… this is the best I got.. 

2nd pic, white bag is day bag, black is a Skots WallGear Gear Closet. “Low bag” hangs from that red cord (thx Skot!) note the perfect utilization of the RTFN Bag in the top of the low bag… ;) 

The red cord that hangs the low bag, is connected to the C-Ring Via a large locker through a couple chain links, the gear closet and day bag are connected to the same locker.. That whole group gets its own docking tether, as does the other “high” Bag..,  so standard Hudon Anchor and two tether docking set-up

Low Bag has a length of orange cord for mini-hauling it to the bivy anchor (2nd pic, connected to 1 haul strap Via C-Ring) 

I know it’s wordy and confusing… but it works well