Which speedline rope?

[Perkins]

We've been doing some zip lining recently, using a petzl tandem pulley which only fits <13mm rope. We've used an old climbing line, yale XTC, but wonder whether something stronger would be better and allow us to take bigger pieces. What do you use?

[Steve Bullman]

We've been doing some zip lining recently, using a petzl tandem pulley which only fits <13mm rope. We've used an old climbing line, yale XTC, but wonder whether something stronger would be better and allow us to take bigger pieces. What do you use?

 

I'd be careful doing bigger pieces. You can build up amazing forces on a speedline if you make an error.

 

Personally I use 11mm static abseil line

[MattyF]

16mm Sirius main line with an 11mm on the back of a rigging plate to pull it up or 14mm lowering line to slow it down on a bollard and use for retrieval.

[Perkins]

Yeah I understand how the forces are multiplied at the anchor points, we have a groundie who does a lot of rope rescue with the fire brigade, where they regularly set up cable ways to traverse, lower and lift casualties. The tandem pulley limits me to 13mm rope so something stronger than XTC would obviously be better. Or I could use a bigger diameter line and a larger pulley I guess.

 

We're currently using 13mm XTC for the main zip line, and 10mm marlow control/retrieval line. We hang a 5m length of 14mm from the pulley with a prussik loop onto a crab and sling, to give us some height adjustment at the working end.

Edited September 28, 2014 by Perkins

[MattyF]

I also try and back up an anchor in the tree at least twice , just in case.

[gand]

I use Marlowbraid, I find it nice to work with. Bought it from Landmark in a kit, works really well Speedline Kit - From Landmark Trading

 

The rope on it's own Marlowbraid Bullrope, 12mm x 50 metre - From Landmark Trading