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Isolating Strands with a Stone Knot

Description

If you have a large group (4+) and want to cut down on the wait time at a rappel, you can isolate the strands of your rappel rope so that each strand can be used independently. That way Person #2 can start getting set up while Person #1 is still rappelling. Another reason to isolate the strands is to allow people the choice of rappelling single strand or double strand.

To isolate the two strands:

1. Thread the rope through the quick link or rappel ring so that the middle of the rope is near the anchors and both ends reach the ground.
2. Tie a stone knot in the rope.
3. The first person attaches his rappel device to one strand of the rope and rappels single strand.
4. The second person then starts getting attached to the second strand.
5. Once the first person gets to the bottom, the second person starts rappelling, and the third person starts getting set up.
6. The last person down unties the Stone Knot and then rappels double strand or sets a block and rappels single strand.

Advantages

This method allows large groups (4+) to rappel more quickly. It can also be helpful if there are novices in the group because if the novice gets hung up, the guide can rappel down the other strand and help the novice get unstuck.

Disadvantages

This is a complicated rappel setup in which several things could go wrong. If in doubt, K.I.S.S. it (Keep It Simple Stupid) and just rappel double strand.

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Isolating Strands with a Stone Eight