Scott McCrea wrote:1. How does the embeded video work for everyone?
Works great for me.
(But I can see it slightly better when I watch it directly on YouTube.)
2. What method of rope ascending are these dudes using? I've never seen anything like it.
Looks to me a bit like climbing the old gym rope by hand, just like in school and/or the military for those who remember.
So that's how the Taiwanese Red Cross do their SAR training!
None of them appear to be physically attached to the ropes, but at least they're all belayed by separate lines attached to dorsal points on the harnesses. I guess climbing by hand on 2 ropes gives a person better grip than just 1. The guy on the left is using an interesting footlock technique - 1 rope per leg. But the guy in the middle with both ropes wrapped around 1 leg still streaks into the lead and wins the prize!
Fun!