ORGT Intermediate Instructions

Instructions for using Ropewalker


Introduction:

The Ropewalker system is one of three climbing systems available through ORGT (the other two are prusik knots and the frog system). It is an extremely efficient system, allowing you to climb faster and with less effort than the other two systems. However, it is more complicated and heavier than the other two systems, as it has a large number of metal parts. In addition, it takes longer to get on and off rope using ropewalker than with the frog system, a disadvantage in many situations. For these reasons, many ORGT cavers use the system only on long drops, where the increased efficiency is particularly useful.

The principle components of this system are "gibbs", metal housings with a cam inside. The cam clamps down on the rope when weight is applied, allowing them to grip the rope for climbing. ORGT uses gibbs with tied-webbing loops to attach the cams to your body. While the tied-webbing loops are not as comfortable or as quick to put on as the sewn loops used by many cavers, they are cheaper and easier to fit to different individuals, both of which are important consideration for a program like ORGT.

All the graphics on this page are links to a larger copy of the same picture, so if you are having trouble seeing something, just click for a better view.

Finally, a Warning: Climbing, like all caving, can be extremely dangerous without proper equipment and training. This page is intended as an introduction to the system for students in the ORGT caving program ONLY. This program includes hands-on training by knowledgable people. We are in no way responsible for the use of the information on these pages without this additional training.
Climbing on Ropewalker

Above: Chris Kelly climbing out of Fantastic Pit (a 586' drop) on Ropewalker.

Required Items:

To climb on Ropewalker, you will need the following:
  • A Simmons Roller
  • A Seat Gibbs (This gibbs has a single loop that ties into the seat harness. The gibbs should reach above the Simmons roller.)
  • A Foot Gibbs (This is a gibbs with a loop that will fit tightly around your foot, and two long tails that act as a chicken loop.)
  • A Knee Gibbs (This is a gibbs with a loop long enough to fit around your foot and reach your knee. It will also have two long tails to tie as a chicken loop, and a bungee cord which pulls the gibb up with each step.)
  • A Seat Harness (not shown)
  • A Carabiner (locking or non-locking, not shown)
  • A Safety (a Petzl Ascension or a Jumar, not shown)
Note: These are the parts for the climbing system only, other items like rappel racks, lights, and helmets would also be necessary for a trip. 		Parts of the Ropewalker System Figure 1: Parts of the Ropewalker System

Using the Gibbs and Simmons Roller:

As you can see in the picture at right, the gibbs consist of three parts: the housing, the pin, and the cam. These pieces are all attached together to prevent loss. To use the gibb, separate the three parts. The pin is removed by pressing and holding the button on top, and pulling out the pin. Once the parts are separated, place the rope in the housing. Insert the cam into the housing, so that the holes in the cam and the housing line up. Insert the pin through the hole. Make sure the button on the head of the pin pops out, if it does not, snap it a few times until it does.

 Parts of a Gibbs
Figure 2: Parts of the Gibbs
The Simmons Roller is even simpler, it consists of just a housing and a pin. The roller is mounted on the pin. To use the Simmons roller, remove the pin, place the rope between the two brackets, and reinsert the pin. Parts of a Simmons Roller
Figure 3: Parts of the Simmons Roller

Putting on the System
Notes: These instructions require basic knots, like the girth hitch and water knots, that are normally taught in the beginner classes. If you are having difficulty remembering how to tie these knots, ask an instructor to give you a quick refresher course. Also, remember, whenever there is a buckle on anything, double back the webbing.

1) Begin by putting on the seat harness, and adjusting it so that it is snug.

2) Find the foot gibb. Place the loop around your foot, so that it passes under the arch of your foot. The gibb should be oriented so that the curved part of the housing points between your feet. The loop should fit snuggly, if it does not, find a foot gibb which fits you better.

3) Tie the two tails of webbing around your ankle with a water knot. These should be tied tight enough so that they can not slide off you foot, just like the chicken loops used with prusik knots. When you are finished, it should look like Figure 4.

4) Now, find the knee gibb. This attaches to your other foot. Like the foot gibb, put the foot loop around your foot, under the arch. Tightly tie the two tails around your ankle with a water knot to form a chicken loop. You should end up with a setup like Figure 5.

5) Girth hitch the safety and the seat gibb to the D-ring on the seat harness.

6) Now find the Simmons roller. This is placed around the chest, just below the arms. Begin by threading the two inch webbing through the side buckle, and pulling it tight. This should be as snug as possible without restricting your breathing.

7) Take the piece of one-inch webbing and place it over your right shoulder. Thread the one inch webbing under the two inch webbing behind your back (see Figure 6). Pull the webbing over your left shoulder and bucket it through the top buckle.

8) Finally, clip the carabiner in the center of the back of the seat harness waist belt. Pull the bungee cord from the knee gibb over your shoulder, and clip the end into the carabiner, as in Figure 6. 		Properly Tied Foot Gibb Fig. 4: Properly Tied Foot Gibb

Properly Tied Knee Gibb Fig. 5: Properly Tied Knee Gibb

Correctly attached Simmons roller and bungee cord Fig. 6: Correctly attached Simmons roll and bungee cord.


Ascending:

Now that you have got the climbing system on, it is time to climb. First, double check everything: buckles doubled back, biners and D-rings locked, and knots properly tied. Now, clip yourself into the rope in this order: foot gibb, knee gibb, simmons roller, and seat gibbs. Remember, the seat gibbs should be above the roller. Make sure that the buttons on all the pins are popped out.

Ascending is simple. Just step like you are climbing stairs. The bungee cord should pull the knee gibb up with each step, and the foot gibbs rises with your foot.

When there is only a small amount of rope under you, it is often difficult to get the foot gibbs to lock on the rope. First, try rapidly kicking out and down with your foot. If this does not work it will be necessary to perform a self-start. To do this, grip the rope where it hangs below the foot gibb and lift it up, forming a loop. Place your other foot (the one attached to the knee gibb) in this loop, and pull the rope tight under that foot as shown. Now step up with the foot gibb, while pulling on the rope to keep it tight. When you stand on the foot gibb this time, it should lock. Repeat this process until you are about ten feet off the ground, or until the foot gibbs locks without difficulty.

Finally, you will often want to take breaks while climbing. Rather than continuing to stand, slide the seat gibb up on the rope, and sit down. This will take the weight off your legs and let you rest better. When you start climbing again, the seat gibb will fall back and continue to ride above the simmons roller. 		Clipping In Fig. 7: Location of parts after clipping in.
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Disclaimer: Neither Georgia Tech, ORGT, the author, nor any person mentioned on these pages is in any way responsible for any injury you may receive from using the information on these pages. Caving is inherently dangerous! You could be seriously injured or killed even with proper equipment and training. If you would like more information, contact one of us or visit the National Speleological Society (NSS) at www.caves.org and contact your local grotto.

This file last modified: October 18 2006.