Question on long rack orientation

[johnlhickman]

I was looking to purchase a long (24" BMS version) rack and noticed that they are mainly sold with straight eyes versus 90 degree ones. For what I am going to use it for this isn't as critical but it got me thinking.

For longer drops, I have a standard size SMC rack where the rack is oriented vertical versus horizontal to make it easier to take bars on and off the rope.

Is this not as big a problem with big drops and longer racks? I watched part of the El Cap video and noticed most of the rappels had their racks oriented horizontal.

Just curious.

John Hickman
Nashville, TN

[Scott McCrea]

Perpendicular to your body ("vertical") is the optimal way to orient a rack. I believe it is even more important to have an optimally oriented rack on a long drop. The type of harness you wear determines whether you need a twisted eye or not. I have a long drop harness that allows me to use a straight eye rack. I use twisted eyes with my caving harness.

BTW, SMC now makes a long rack. It is 18 inches long. Standard racks are 14". Traditional long racks are 24". Not sure if you can get the 18 incher with a twist.

[Tim White]

The new 17.9" long SMC rack only comes with the "straight" eye. Berta and I had been bugging the guys at SMC for a few years to start producing an affordable long rack...now we have it! This as a great length for the Bridge, Mexico, etc. IMHO the 24” rack was overkill for anything but El Cap and Thor type drops.

You can get the 17.9" direct from SMC, R&R, PMI (not listed in current catalog) or your favorite cave vendor.

We will be using ours next month on the Bridge.

(John- I’ll bring mine to the Cave-In if you want to try it out.)


If full disclosure...Berta is a PMI Sponsored Athlete. The above endorsement is my opinion and is not an advertisement for PMI or SMC.

[ljthawk]

I, and others in our group, didn’t have problems with straight eye racks at the Black Canyon last year.

Then again, I don’t know any better. I've only used a rack perpendicular to my body a few times.

L.J.

[fuzzy-hair-man]

Perpendicular to your body ("vertical") is the optimal way to orient a rack. I believe it is even more important to have an optimally oriented rack on a long drop.

Is this because of the weight of rope below you making it hard to lift rope to add/remove bars on a horizontally oriented rack or some other reason?

[johnlhickman]

Tim, Scott and LJ,

Thanks for the info. Sounds like it doesn't make much of a difference. I will have to take a look at the new rack.

Yes. Having the rack rigged vertically can make it easier to add/subtract bars. It also maximizes the use of the bars. There is nothing worse than dropping from six bars and effectively having four and a half.

John

[Carl Amundson]

The new 17.9" long SMC rack only comes with the "straight" eye. Berta and I had been bugging the guys at SMC for a few years to start producing an affordable long rack...now we have it! This as a great length for the Bridge, Mexico, etc. IMHO the 24” rack was overkill for anything but El Cap and Thor type drops.

You can get the 17.9" direct from SMC, R&R, PMI (not listed in current catalog) or your favorite cave vendor.

We will be using ours next month on the Bridge.

(John- I’ll bring mine to the Cave-In if you want to try it out.)


If full disclosure...Berta is a PMI Sponsored Athlete. The above endorsement is my opinion and is not an advertisement for PMI or SMC.

Tim, I have been looking for the 17.9" SMC rack online, but can't find any reference to it.
Can you provide a link to this rack?

Also, do you know if the BMS bars will fit on it?
I would just like to buy the frame and put the BMS SS tubular bars on it (with the hyper-bar for tie-offs).

Thanks

[Tim White]

Can you provide a link to this rack?

Also, do you know if the BMS bars will fit on it?

SMC Long J Rack
I know that IMO has them in stock, and I suppose On Rope 1 does also.

You can get them direct from PMI (they do not show just the frame in the current catalog, but they have them.)

The BMS bars should fit. They fit the standard SMC rack and the Long J Rack is the same width.

Used ours at Bridge Day this past Saturday....



In full disclosure: Berta is a PMI Vertical Specialist (sponsored athlete) and we gave SMC requested input on the design of this rack.

[innermostphoto]

I have a long 17 inch SMC rack that is new. It contains six stainless CMI bars with a hyperbar on top. I bought it with the intention of using it but never did. It is not 90 degree though. take $70 if you want it.
bob

[Carl Amundson]

I have a long 17 inch SMC rack that is new. It contains six stainless CMI bars with a hyperbar on top. I bought it with the intention of using it but never did. It is not 90 degree though. take $70 if you want it.
bob

Are they they the round (tubular) bars or the bent steel bars?

[innermostphoto]

It has the bent stainless bars. John decided he didn't need it so it is still for sale.