Pike ‘n Pivot
Pike ‘n Pivot is a technique developed by Rigging for Rescue in the mid 1990’s as a method for negotiating a 90 degree edge with no high directional. The technique greatly reduces the effort needed to execute a difficult edge transition using more traditional methods. The footage below shows a Pike ‘n Pivot during an open enrollment seminar in Ouray in September of this year.
Rigging for Washington
Rigging for Rescue instructor and Denali National Park mountaineering ranger Brandon Latham is currently in Washington DC as as rigging consultant for the ongoing repairs to the Washington Monument. Learn more about the project here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/destinations/story/2011-09-29/Expert-team-faces-a-monumental-task-in-Washington/50610458/1
Updated Website
New content in the updated Rigging for Rescue website includes: -2012 open enrollment calendar for both the Rigging for Rescue and Update and Beyond seminars. -Information and photos for the 2012 Mountain Rescue Week -Information about contract testing -And selected testing videos Included in the testing videos now available on the website is this favorite, which many may recall from past Rigging for Rescue seminars About this video: 200kg test mass. Fall factor zero. 10.5mm climbing rope (aka dynamic rope). 30m of rope-in-service using a Tandem Prusik Belay. More than 5m of stop distance. High elongation ropes – like a climbing rope – are not appropriate as rescue belay lines. Rigging for Rescue is producing this video for promotional purposes. It is not comprehensive and is not intended to be instructional. Further, Rigging for Rescue reserves all intellectual property associated with this video.
Ice Workshop 2012
This year’s ice workshop will run from January 15-20 in Ouray, Colorado. More information about this offering is available on the Rigging for Rescue website here: http://dev.riggingforrescue.com/WI.html . Here are some photos from previous Ice Workshops: Rigging for Rescue also conducts ice workshops on a contract basis. Contact the RfR office for pricing and scheduling.
Destruction in the name of Education
Rigging for Rescue’s slow pull machine, dubbed “The Rack”, has been brought out for two recent seminars. Seminar participants were invited to test knots, anchor systems, hardware, and any other item that they wanted to see pulled to failure. Clearly these tests can only be considered “quick-look” and non-comprehensive testing. This Prusik bypass failed at 27.4 kN
Paint it Black
Members of Rocky Mountain Fire and West Metro Fire collaborated for a Rigging for Rescue seminar in Ouray last month. Part of the curriculum included a multipitch lower off of the Alimony Wall in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Home to the biggest walls in Colorado, the Black Canyon is a true gem. Kudos to the seminar participants who executed this exercise in good form.
Update and Beyond: Highlines, Guiding Lines, Deflection Lines, Oh My
A diverse group of rope access, fire service, swiftwater and mountain rescue personnel attended last week’s Update and Beyond seminar in Ouray, including folks from Australia, Rescue Japan, North Carolina, and Colorado’s Front Range. As usual, it was a skilled and motivated crew that found time for both training and fun in the Ouray sunshine. Deflection Line over the Gorge Guiding Line to float the litter over difficult terrain Highline over the reservoir
Rigging for Rescue in Iceland
2011 marked Mike’s third trip to Iceland and fourth time working with members of ICE-SAR. This year’s training was held in and around the Reykjavik area. It included ICE SAR participants from various teams around the island nation.
Instructor “Training” – Mt. Huntington
Rigging for Rescue instructors Mike Gibbs and Kevin Koprek took some time following their recent contract seminar with Denali National Park and the 212th RQS to climb the much revered Mt. Huntington. Gibbs and Koprek chose the Colton/Leach route, a neighbor to the much more often climbed West Face Couloir. This Alaska Grade 6 route was established by British climbers Nick Colton and Timothy Leach in 1981.
Denali/212th RQS
Rigging for Rescue instructors Mike Gibbs and Kevin Koprek recently completed an annual seminar with 212th Rescue Squadron and Denali National Park. This year’s collaborative training between the Denali Mountaineering Rangers and Air Force Pararescuemen took place in the Ruth Gorge. As always, it was a great seminar in an incredible setting with skilled, motivated participants.
