Problem with upper ascender maillion connection

[Caver John]

I've cOme across a problem with my new/in progress frog setup.
I had my footloop cord(barrel knot?) and cows tail carabiner both hooked to an oval mallion at the upper ascender.
The problem is that when doing changeovers or going from a weighted cowstail to weighting the footloop the carabiner crushes the cord. I didnt like this so I switched to using another smaller mallion to attach the footloop cord to the bigger mallion on the ascender. Now the cowstail crab and the little footloop mallion are fighting for the bottom of the ascender mallion.

Anyone else deal with this before?

I think te only option is to use a pear shaped mallion at the ascended, this way the cowstail carabiner and the footloop mallion have there space.

[Caver John]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w226 ... 03da2f.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w226 ... 861d4e.jpg

[Chads93GT]

get rid of the maillion completely. alpine caving techniques uses a biner on the end of the long cowstail, clipped into a locker on the ascender. The foot cord also goes through the ascender biner. Or you can use only 1 biner and have the foot loop attached through this as well. When doing change overs, simply pay attention not to put the short cowstail biner on top of the cord, but to the side, when you goto weight it. Good luck.

[Caver John]

get rid of the maillion completely. alpine caving techniques uses a biner on the end of the long cowstail, clipped into a locker on the ascender. The foot cord also goes through the ascender biner. Or you can use only 1 biner and have the foot loop attached through this as well. When doing change overs, simply pay attention not to put the short cowstail biner on top of the cord, but to the side, when you goto weight it. Good luck.

Thanks. That makes sense, I was just trying to save money and the bulk by using a mallion at the ascender. A small HMS carabiner will work. Or if I can find a HMS shaped mallion.

[Chads93GT]

OR you can delete the maillions all together, clip the long cowstail into the ascender and have the foot loop clipped into that same biner, and wehn you do changeovers, simply put the short tail biner on the SIDE of the rope, instead of on top.

[Caver John]

Is this whAt you were describing? I think this is best.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w226 ... a6e342.jpg

[Chads93GT]

Yes, thats how I have mine set up but I use the small black diamon neutrino lockers (same size as a quick draw biner) I dont use the large biners. This way I can still use the hand ascender and the foot loop for..............whatever reason, yet disconnect the long cowstail for use at rebelays, or..........whatever.

[ian mckenzie]

I kinda do mine the same, but I guess you could save even another piece by tying your footloop cord directly into the hand jammer hole, and clipping the cowstail biner thru the handle.

Note that some cavers use a nonlocking oval on their cowstail end (I do, many don't). Easier and faster if you pass alot of rebelays.

[Caver John]

I wouldn't want to tie the footloop cord to the ascender because it's alil too much of an edge, and I wouldn't feel comfortable clipping the cowstail into the handle either.

[Scott McCrea]

You could try an ascender with two holes, like a Petzl. One hole for each small maillon.

[Caver John]

You could try an ascender with two holes, like a Petzl. One hole for each small maillon.

Too late and too much $$$ anywAy...
Better deal on the camp...
I like the camp alot other than missing that second hole.


Seems as if this should be fine.
Thanks !!