Two Ropes Part 1

In this video I introduce climbing with two ropes. This is commonly done if you are climbing as a party of three. I talk about equipment needed for climbing with two ropes, including whether to use single, double, twin, or triple-rated ropes, and what diameter of ropes to use. I also talk about rope systems such as using parallel, caterpillar, and "free-snake" techniques. Methods for rope management are demonstrated. In part 2 I demonstrate how to apply parallel technique to a pitch on a milti-pitch climb, and how to attach climbers at the anchor so the rope feeds-out cleanly on the next pitch.

[@mikesteffen3378]

Thanks. Some very good techniques to practice! Winged it yesterday with a party of three and it was a bit of a cluster.

[@timmyrogers7507]

As always, great video with god attention to detail. Glad to see you’re posting videos again…it’s been awhile. Double rope/party of three is fun, but rope management has always been tough. Thanks for putting this together.

[@skillsforclimbing]

Thanks for the support and positive feedback @timmyrogers7507!

[@tylerashcraft6726]

Thanks for the tips. I'm excited to try some of your recommendations.

[@skillsforclimbing]

Thanks for the positive feedback @tylerashcraft6726! Let me know how it goes!

[@kirkbrode]

Another great video. By the way, what pants are those? Thanks

[@smallelephant_og]

Nice video but Darth Vader breathing in the background is a bit distracting. Consider getting a mic.

[@veraunchipman3582]

What route is that?

[@Sierranite]

@19:09 it appears that your brake hand is off the client’s rope entirely?

[@skillsforclimbing]

You got it. Note that I am belaying with a guide style device (the Black Diamond ATC Guide), NOT a brake assited device such as a grigri. Many break assisted devices have cams that can be jammed open when they come into contact with terrain. Terrain does not interfere with the operation of most guide style devices. The time to be wary of letting go of your break strands is if you have several twists in your belay ropes which are preventing the plate from rapidly locking (usually more than two complete twists) or if you have a possibility for one strand to pass underneath the other while it is under tension. Usually this only happens while belaying two people at once where there is a traverse into the belay. You can take a look at this video which I made to specify what to watch-out for in these circumstances: ua-cam.com/video/4nr33w3XGOU/v-deo.html. I hope this is helpful!