What haul line setup do you prefer for big routes that involve lots of free climbing? (NWF Half Dome, Nose, etc...)
I get really agitated at having a big fat 11mm rope dragging at the back of my harness. This isn't so critical when I'm in my aiders, but it puts a damper on things if I am trying to free as much of the route as possible.
I'm considering using a smaller diameter zip line (like 6mm) to pull up the actual haul line. Is this the best option? Is there a better method?
Haul Lines
when i'm on a nailing route i will use the set up sparky has described. one 7mm tied to the 11mm haul line, this makes the leading a little lighter and one has the advantage of being able to play tag with your belayer from any point on the pitch. I would probably ditch that and just go for one thinner tag line for a route like the nose or the regular route. the less shit you got to drag you down, the faster you'll go.
weather is occurring.
Thanks for the feedback sparky & batguano.
I think I will go with a 10mm line. It is a little lighter than a 10.5 or 11 and I think if I go down to a 9mm I will be pretty scared if I use it for a fixed line.
I'd like to try leading in blocks and short fixing. I'm going to experiment with some different systems and see how they work out. One of my plans has been to use an 8mm tag line with an 10mm haul line. With that setup I could lead a pitch, pull up the sub bag with some refreshments and extra gear in it, and then haul the pig on the 10mm. If I am able to finish hauling before the second arrives then I could short fix and start on the second pitch until the second is up or I run out of gear, at which point I could pull up more on the tag.
For times when the tag isn't needed the 10mm wouldn't be too heavy to clip to the back of my harness and the 8mm is still big enough to use for lowering the bags out.
Does this seem reasonable?
I think I will go with a 10mm line. It is a little lighter than a 10.5 or 11 and I think if I go down to a 9mm I will be pretty scared if I use it for a fixed line.
I'd like to try leading in blocks and short fixing. I'm going to experiment with some different systems and see how they work out. One of my plans has been to use an 8mm tag line with an 10mm haul line. With that setup I could lead a pitch, pull up the sub bag with some refreshments and extra gear in it, and then haul the pig on the 10mm. If I am able to finish hauling before the second arrives then I could short fix and start on the second pitch until the second is up or I run out of gear, at which point I could pull up more on the tag.
For times when the tag isn't needed the 10mm wouldn't be too heavy to clip to the back of my harness and the 8mm is still big enough to use for lowering the bags out.
Does this seem reasonable?