Reversed 8s
“Simple rules can make complex systems.”
This is an anchor system to use with two ropes.
Ben Rose, Lawrence Schultz, Sam Turner, always inspiring to chat with these Arborists. Ideas and conversation whiz around, I was shown an incredible idea.
Take two Figure 8 descenders, one with large ring up (A), the other reversed, so large ring down (B). Attach a sling or rope. Pass first rope through large ring on (A), then small ring on (B), tie Alpine Butterfly blocking knot. Tie second rope in reverse. Pass it through large ring on (B), then small ring on (A), tie Alpine Butterfly and block it against small ring. Clip one karabiner into Butterly loops.
Retrieve is novel, possibly genius, time will tell. Place retrieve cone on rope ends, as karabiner is pulled downwards the first rope ends up trapping and pulling (B), and in reverse of this the second rope ends up pulling (A). From here the climber pulls one rope and ‘soft retrieves’ the anchor system. Anchor placement must be considered as the 8 may get stuck.
Once again, we refer back to the simple and timeless design of the Figure 8 descender, for more solutions.
