Ch33s3n1p wrote:I was frogging with my neck strap a little looser than it should have been and the carabiner on my croll rotated into an odd position and jamed the cam open. It stayed on the rope, but did not grab. I use an oval, non-locking biner and a 1" adjustable webbing loop, is there a better way to set up your lower ascender?
Was this non-locking oval carabiner connected to the top or the bottom hole of your Croll? From your post I assume the top (between Croll and chest harness/loop). If so, try swapping it for a smaller (tiny) carabiner or screw link. It doesn't need to be rated - almost anything will do. Or you can try simply threading the chest harness webbing directly through the hole, as many of us do.
If (as others assume) the issue is with the connection between the Croll and your harness, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, a non-locking carabiner is not appropriate for a primary life support link here - you really should be using something which locks. Secondly, as others have said, the Croll is normally connected directly to the half-round (or delta-shaped) screw link which holds your
caver-style seat harness together at the front. If you are using a traditional
climber-style seat harness instead, things will be a little different. Those harnesses will work, but are less efficient and practical for ascending with a frog system and once you try a caving harness you'll see why.
If you are using a climber-style seat harness for right now, I suggest connecting the Croll to the harness with a 7mm oval screw link. It's reasonably compact and probably your best option. DON'T USE ONE FROM THE HARDWARE STORE! Buy only rated Maillon Rapide screw links, usually available from caving vendors like
Inner Mountain Outfitters,
OneRope1,
Karst Sports, etc.
I don't tie into the rope every 10-20 feet, and I don't know cavers who do. Where did that advice come from?
PS just saw Ron's reply, which explains the harness setup in more detail. I agree with his recommendation on the H-style chest harness, connected directly to the Croll. That's what I use.