Cordelletes, slings and prusicks are three of the more specific-use elements of rock climbing equipment. Learn how to use prusicks, slings and cordelettes in this climbing video.
Slings can be used to clip gear or set up anchors
Prusicks are back-up descending device
Can use a cordelette for anchor or for prusick
Josh is an avid climber that resides off the coast in central California. He has managed for a mountaineering sports company for several years and loves the sport.
JOSH HARING: Hi, I am Josh and today I will be talking to you about cordelettes, slings and prusiks, three things which are really important when climbing. Slings are a way that we can set up anchors and also secure ourselves if we are in the middle of a long route. Slings look like this. They are usually nylon. And just like carabiners, they are rated in terms of kiloNewtons. You can buy slings in different widths and different lengths. Slings are really durable so you should definitely trust them. People use slings for everything, from setting up anchors, securing themselves on the middle of a route or even just throwing over the shoulder and clipping gear to. This is a cordelette. And essentially, this is just static cord and this is seven millimeters here. This cordelette is really useful because we can cut it in any length that we want. You can use a cordelette also for an anchor or for a prusik, which I am going to show you. When tying a prusik, essentially, you make two fisherman's knots to start with. It is also a good way to connect two ropes. People use prusiks for several different things. One primary purpose of a prusik is a backup when descending or it is a back up rappel device. If your rappel device failed, your prusik would still catch you on that rope. Your prusik always need to made from a cord that is smaller in diameter than the actual climbing rope. It is basically just a double hitch, a double girth hitch around the rope. So you can see when the prusik is properly tied this won't slide at all down your rope, on your tension. You can slowly lower yourself down and then it locks back in place. This is a great back up as a rappel device. So, I have got the prusik tied up here, around both ropes. I have got my natural rappel device right here. And if something were to happen to me, I get rock falls off the top, "boom" hits me in the head. I got my prusik tight. I am caught by that prusik.
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