Rigging for Sherpas
Project Photos: Abstract: In January, 2009, in conjunction with the Himalayan Rescue Association, we had the honor and privilege to be able to offer a technical rope rescue training workshop for the Sherpa climbing guides that work and respond in the Mt. Everest region of Nepal. Rigging for Rescue donated the services of one of our instructors for the training. It was a unique and gratifying opportunity to be able to work and train with the Sherpa guides and offer rigging solutions to some of their patient transport challenges.
Rigging for Tall Ships
Project Photos: Abstract: Recently, a volunteer with the San Diego Maritime Museum contacted us with some questions relating to our previous research on lanyards. They had been exploring a new work positioning lanyard system and came across our ITRS paper from 2006 that addressed Purcell Prusiks as lanyards. The work environment the volunteer was addressing was for climbing the high rigging on Tall Ships. The San Diego Maritime Museum is home to the Star of India, which is the world’s oldest active Tall Ship. The sailors that climb the high rigging do so without any protection until they get to a position where the work is to be conducted (e.g. furling a sail, painting, repairing, etc.) – at that point they secure themselves with a work positioning lanyard. Following the phone consultation we provided regarding Purcell Prusiks as work positioning lanyards, an offer was made “if you are ever in San Diego…” Well, it turns out we were already going to be in the area and a private tour of the Star of India was too good to pass up. The captain generously signed off on a climb of the high rigging – what a thrill.
Rigging for the Black
Project Photos From time to time some of the RfR principals and other rope rescue enthusiasts get together for a bigger training project. This typically involves a long highline or a larger multi-pitch objective down a sizeable piece of terrain. In May, 2002, we embarked on such a project with a Kootenay Highline System and Norwegian Reeve in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The highline spanned from South Chasm View to North Chasm View. The total length of the span was 430 metres. We completed a full Norwegian Reeve down to the canyon bottom – the depth of the reeve was 550 metres. On the final iteration, the attendant made it round-trip from the end station to the canyon bottom and back in 67 minutes – quite a ride. This particular highline project involved all kinds of rigging challenges, equipment organization, logistical considerations and contingency plans. It was a superb training event.[/fusion_text][/one_full]
