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Rope support with tuber: Difference between revisions

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Using the rope support: - adjusted captions, separated efficiency note
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== Using the rope support ==
== Using the rope support ==
As the ATC adds a lot of friction to this system, the pulley gives only 2:1 advantage (only the belay strand part of the rope which is behind the ATC is active during pulling), but 3:1 amount of slack must be taken (as the rope must be still pulled through the ATC). Due to a friction on the carabiner, real world testing done by John Gordino (Alpinesavvy) shown that in reality, it provides only roughly 1.5:1 advantage.<ref name=friction_alpinesavvy>{{cite web | url=https://www.alpinesavvy.com/blog/progress-capture-efficiencies-of-various-devices | title=Progress capture - efficiencies of various devices | publisher=Alpinesavvy LLC  | first1=John | last1=Godino | website=AlpineSavvy.com | access-date=27 September 2025 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119020952/https://www.alpinesavvy.com/blog/progress-capture-efficiencies-of-various-devices | archive-date=19 November 2021}}</ref> That means that for a 75 kg climber, 50 kg of weight has still to be pulled up.
When you give a rope support, it is best practice to have a short prusik and always slide it on the live strand of the rope as far as you can easily reach with your hand. Otherwise you have to reset the prusik more often, slowing-down the process.


{{#invoke:FlexGallery|gallery
{{#invoke:FlexGallery|gallery
|135px
|135px
|File:rope_support_atc_pull_step1.png
|File:rope_support_atc_pull_step1.png
|Pull the belay rope up
|Pull the belay rope end up to lift your climbing partner
|File:rope_support_atc_pull_step2.png
|File:rope_support_atc_pull_step2.png
|After the ATC gets unblocked, additional slack is pulled out of the system
|After the ATC gets unblocked, additional slack is taken out of the system
|File:rope_support_atc_pull_step3.png
|File:rope_support_atc_pull_step3.png
|Once the pulley is in its top position, grab the belay strand above the carabiner
|Once the pulley is in its top position, grab the belay strand between the tuber and the carabiner
|File:rope_support_atc_pull_step4.png
|File:rope_support_atc_pull_step4.png
|And reset the pulley by sliding the prusik down on the live strand of the rope
|Reset the pulley by sliding the prusik down on the live strand of the rope
}}
}}
== Efficiency note ==
As the ATC adds a lot of friction to this system, the pulley theoretically gives only 2:1 leverage as only the belay strand part of the rope which is behind the ATC is active during pulling. However, 3:1 length of slack relative to lift height must be taken, as the rope must still be pulled through the ATC. Real world testing done by John Gordino (Alpinesavvy) shown that in reality, due to a friction, it provides only roughly 1.5:1 leverage.<ref name=friction_alpinesavvy>{{cite web | url=https://www.alpinesavvy.com/blog/progress-capture-efficiencies-of-various-devices | title=Progress capture - efficiencies of various devices | publisher=Alpinesavvy LLC  | first1=John | last1=Godino | website=AlpineSavvy.com | access-date=27 September 2025 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119020952/https://www.alpinesavvy.com/blog/progress-capture-efficiencies-of-various-devices | archive-date=19 November 2021}}</ref> That means that for a 75 kg climber, 50 kg of weight has still to be pulled up with three times the length of the rope to be pulled compared to system without the pulley.


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 04:38, 4 October 2025

Rope support with tuber
Other namesRope support
Use(s)Multipitch, mountaineering, rescue
ProsGives leverage to help with making a hard move
ConsTaking slack is much slower

Rope support is used in a case when the climber belayed from top needs help by lifting up while performing a hard move. It can be also employed as a support to the second climber during rescue if second climber just needs a bit of help to complete the ascend.

Building the rope support

  • This rope support can be performed only while belaying from above
  • Start with a tie-off of the tuber (1)
  • After the tie-off you can let go (2)
  • Tie a prusik onto the life strand (3) and place a quickdraw if you want to pull in downwards direction (optional, 4)
  • Pull the rope through the carabiner(s) (5)
  • You can close the lock (6) and remove the tie-off while holding the brake strand (7)
  • Now you are ready to provide the rope support
  • Alternatively, this is an illustration of the finished setup without the redirecting quickdraw and with unlocked carabiner for Prusik

Using the rope support

When you give a rope support, it is best practice to have a short prusik and always slide it on the live strand of the rope as far as you can easily reach with your hand. Otherwise you have to reset the prusik more often, slowing-down the process.

  • Pull the belay rope end up to lift your climbing partner
  • After the ATC gets unblocked, additional slack is taken out of the system
  • Once the pulley is in its top position, grab the belay strand between the tuber and the carabiner
  • Reset the pulley by sliding the prusik down on the live strand of the rope

Efficiency note

As the ATC adds a lot of friction to this system, the pulley theoretically gives only 2:1 leverage as only the belay strand part of the rope which is behind the ATC is active during pulling. However, 3:1 length of slack relative to lift height must be taken, as the rope must still be pulled through the ATC. Real world testing done by John Gordino (Alpinesavvy) shown that in reality, due to a friction, it provides only roughly 1.5:1 leverage.[1] That means that for a 75 kg climber, 50 kg of weight has still to be pulled up with three times the length of the rope to be pulled compared to system without the pulley.

References

  1. Godino, John. "Progress capture - efficiencies of various devices". AlpineSavvy.com. Alpinesavvy LLC. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2025.