Mountain Project Logo

Wren Soloist Fine Tuning

Original Post
David Pfurr · · Mt. Shasta, CA · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 30

I've never come across any discussion about the attachment of the Soloist to the climbing harness in this particular regard:  The attachment hole at the bottom end of the Soloist runs in one plane (side to side or transverse) but your harness tie-in channels through the hip belt and leg-loop bridge run in a central/medial plane.  So the connecting piece of 8 or 9mm rope has to twist to pass through tie-in points of your harness and then go through the hole in the device.  This makes the Soloist want to turn to the side instead of facing straight forward.  Has anyone found a clever way to avoid this twist?  I've already tried creating a loop in the short, attachment rope piece, then girth-hitching the loop through the harness tie-ins.  Wren doesn't really cover this detail.    

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,717

I don't have a ton of mileage on mine, but I have never even noticed the twistage. I the device lying "sideways" even a problem? It could also be that the way I rig the upper biner keeps things straight; pretty sure it does.

Wiggle · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2016 · Points: 0

I agree with Gunkiemike, that's it's no big deal. I have a mailion/quick-link through my tie in points, and just run the cord through this. This wasn't to negate the twisting, rather an easy way to switch from solo to partnered use, without having to thread the soloist through the very-snug-fitting cord each time.

Rob warden The space lizard · · Now...where? · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 0

Twist shackle?

Andy Petersen · · Florissant, CO · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 255

I struggled with the same thing - I'd prefer the soloist to sit straight. I've got a lot of mileage on this setup.
I take each end of the cord (once threaded through the soloist) and feed them up through the harness (leg loop hole then waist belt hole) then fold the soloist up so it's sitting in its proper location.  Then take each loose end of the cord and tie a fisherman's knot in front of the soloist.  This keeps everything short and holds the soloist outward facing.

nbrown · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 8,101

I've always tied the soloist attachment rope in a small enough loop (think fi fi length) and girth- hitched it through my tie-in points. That allows the rope ends to feed out in front of me rather than the (left or right) side.

Pavel Burov · · Russia · Joined May 2013 · Points: 50

I have been using twist mallion to attach CAMP Turbo Chest to climbing harnesses for a while. Works pretty well. Lighter although bulkier alternative is Kong Ovalon DNA (have never tried it myself).

David Pfurr · · Mt. Shasta, CA · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 30

Thanks, everyone for responding.  I believe AndyPetersen, nBrown and I are doing the same thing as far as girth-hitching the piece of rope connecting the Soloist to the seat harness, through the tie-in channels.  Girth-hitching would be weaker than a straight loop created with a double-fishermans knot, but even with the 8mm rope piece I am currently using, I believe it would still be plenty strong for the purpose.  

Mike R.--in the past I DID have "trouble" with the Soloist twisting.  It probably didn't matter much as far as affecting the function of the device, but just didn't seem right--and as if it would adversely affect the feeding of the rope through the device.

For what it's worth, I currently use a real chest harness and secure the upper end of the Soloist with a Petzl Triact Omni carabiner.  

Still open to new ideas! 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Climbing Gear Discussion
Post a Reply to "Wren Soloist Fine Tuning"

Log In to Reply
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.