Bottom line, we got more
experience in hauling again. This time Rita was the recipient. After
climbing about 1/3 of the way up, her chest harness came undone and the rope
flew out of the bracket. She
climbed about 30 more feet and came to a lip.
Tim inserted a carabiner to try and keep the rope close to her chest.
She was able to get over the lip and climb a bit further, but after much
convincing by Tim, decided her frog system might be better to use.
Tim called up to Joedy to send the frog down and helped Rita switch
systems. At this point they had
been on rope for quite a while and seeing the extra rope down, Rita requested
to be hauled up. Tim switched her
over to the 200 foot rope. Tim climbed up and we hauled her out.
After hauling a while, Tim pointed out that the 15:1 haul system was too slow.
I had just come to that conclusion myself and we reverted it back to a 5:1 haul.
That sped up things up more, but it put us back into hauling 12-30 pounds vice 5
pounds each on top with every pull depending on timing, etc. As usual,
hauling was quite taxing and an intense routine, two people to haul and one
person to take up the main line slack with a Rescuesender. The new
Rescuesenders vice toothed ascenders were much better and safer in the haul
system.
That's it for this issue of Tidewater's Ooze. Everyone get out and cave!
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