SRT techniques are serious and standardized; any improper operation may lead to fatal consequences. Therefore, I recommend that enthusiasts who are learning and using SRT techniques establish safety and teamwork principles from the very beginning. Only then can they truly experience the thrill and enjoyment it offers. Below, we will introduce the components of SRT techniques.
[Note: Single rope technique is one of the extreme sports skills and involves unpredictable risks. This text is for informational purposes only. For detailed diagrams, videos, and technical operations, please participate in future single rope technique training activities.]
1. Equipment Preparation:
Hand ascender, GO screw gate carabiner (A), GO screw gate carabiner (B), foot loop, main carabiner, caving harness, D-shaped screw gate carabiner, sling, chest ascender, adjustable harness, descender, O-shaped screw gate carabiner, helmet.
2. Connections Between Equipment:
Hand ascender + GO screw gate carabiner (A) + GO screw gate carabiner (B)
GO screw gate carabiner (A) + foot loop
GO screw gate carabiner (B) + long end of the sling
Main carabiner + short end of the sling
Chest ascender + adjustable harness
Caving harness + D-shaped screw gate carabiner
O-shaped screw gate carabiner + descender
D-shaped screw gate carabiner + sling + chest ascender + O-shaped screw gate carabiner
3. Wearing and Usage Notes:
None of the equipment can be missing.
All buckles on the harness with quick-release mechanisms must be double-backed; the leg and waist straps of the harness should be snug (able to fit a finger but not too tight).
The screw gates of the main carabiners must be properly closed; the carabiner connected to the descender should have its gate facing the body and be locked downward. The length of the foot loop should be adjusted from the ground to the position of the D-shaped carabiner; the length of the sling connected to the hand ascender should be such that it extends from the D-shaped carabiner to mouth level. The sling can be replaced with tested static or dynamic rope—if a fall occurs, it must be replaced immediately. Equipment attached to the D-shaped carabiner should be neatly arranged. Pay strict attention to the orientation of the chest ascender and the descender.
4. Learning Knots.
From the most commonly used figure-eight knot to the double fisherman’s knot, overhand knot, fisherman’s knot, bowline, butterfly knot, prusik knot, etc., all must be mastered proficiently.
5. Ascending Techniques: (Refer to caving equipment)
Before ascending, adjust the adjustable harness (which can also be homemade using flat webbing) so that the chest ascender fits snugly against the body. First, attach the chest ascender to the static rope, then the hand ascender, and tighten the upper section of the rope so the body can be comfortably suspended. Once suspended, place one foot (or both) into the foot loop, hold the handle of the hand ascender with one hand, and grip the upper part of the hand ascender with the other. While ascending, use both hands and feet simultaneously to straighten the body and move the chest ascender upward. Then gently shift your body weight onto the chest ascender, move both hands and feet upward again, and apply force together... Repeat this process to achieve rapid ascent.
When ascending, use the non-weight-bearing foot to maintain balance and prevent injury from contact with the cave wall.
A foot ascender can be used in place of a foot loop or in combination with it, allowing the hand ascender, chest ascender, and foot ascender to all be on the rope simultaneously. Foot ascenders are suitable for long-distance ascents.
6. Fall Arrest Techniques:
Mastering the use of self-locking and semi-locking descenders (such as STOP, RACK) is a crucial technique or step.
Remember: As long as the descender is not sliding on the rope or you don’t want it to slide, engage the self-locking mechanism immediately.
7. Descending Techniques:
Before descending, first connect the anchor point using a cowstail (commonly known as a "cow's tail rope"), then correctly attach the descender to the rope and engage the self-lock. Before taking any load, retract the cowstail. Once your full body weight is on the descender, disengage the self-lock and begin descending. While descending, use both hands in a coordinated manner to maintain as steady a speed as possible. Try to practice descending from lower heights first and gradually increase. During the descent, practice engaging the descender’s self-lock frequently.
8. Descending Posture:
Adopt a seated position, keeping your upper body and thighs at a right angle, and avoid leaning too far backward.
9. Passing the Anchor Point Technique:
Passing the anchor point is unavoidable in large cave explorations, so it is essential to master this skill thoroughly.
10. Descending Through an Anchor Point:
When descending to the anchor point, immediately use the cowstail to connect to the anchor, then continue descending until the cowstail is fully loaded. Right below the anchor point, attach a hand ascender to the rope for protection. Switch the descender to the other rope strand and engage the self-lock. After checking that everything is secure, use the hand ascender to retrieve the cowstail. Once the load is transferred to the descender, remove the hand ascender and stow both items back in place.
If you are proficient, you can skip attaching the hand ascender for protection. Instead, use your left hand to hold the anchor and your right hand to pull the rope on the right side of the descender upward, loosening the cowstail. Then remove it from the anchor and stow it on the gear rack. Disengage the descender’s self-lock and continue descending.
11. Ascending Through an Anchor Point:
When ascending to the anchor point, first attach the cowstail to the anchor, then detach the chest ascender from the lower rope strand and move up to the upper rope section (remember not to go above the strand directly beneath the anchor). Once securely positioned, switch the hand ascender over, adjust your stance, ascend a few steps, retrieve the cowstail, and stow it back on the gear rack.
12. Switching Techniques:
This is an essential technique to master, allowing you to handle various needs on a single rope. Actions include switching between ascending and descending on a single rope, and switching between two ropes.
Switching from Descending to Ascending:
First, engage the self-lock on the descender, then attach the hand ascender to the main rope above. Next, stand up using the foot loop, and attach the chest ascender to the main rope between the descender and the hand ascender. Then remove the descender and stow it on the gear rack, and transition into ascending mode.
Switching from Ascending to Descending:
First, correctly attach the descender to the D-shaped carabiner, then engage the self-lock. Stand up using the foot loop, release the chest ascender from the main rope, then gradually transfer your body weight to the descender. Next, remove the hand ascender from the main rope and stow it. Then transition into descending mode.
Be cautious with this set of movements: the position where the descender attaches to the rope must not be arbitrary—it must allow you to retrieve the hand ascender after bearing weight; otherwise, you’ll have to repeat the operation, wasting significant energy.
You can also use ascending devices to achieve the switch between ascending and descending. This is a highly creative maneuver and requires familiarity and mastery of the equipment’s functions. Operate the hand ascender and chest ascender with your left and right hands respectively. When the chest ascender is under load, move the hand ascender downward—but do not let it leave the rope. Step on the foot loop to load the hand ascender, then loosen and move the chest ascender downward. Then reload the chest ascender, and so on—cycle through these actions to achieve descent. (Insert downward movement of the hand ascender, downward movement of the chest ascender.)
13. Safety Measures:
Self-lock: Prevents falling while suspended or when changing gear on the rope.
Cowstail: Provides protection before suspension, during aerial maneuvers, and when moving laterally.
Protection bag: Prevents the rope from being directly abraded.
The end of the lower rope must be knotted to prevent it from slipping out of the rope system.
14. Notes: The techniques above must be mastered proficiently to be used flexibly and safely in real situations.
Hand ascender: Petzl ASCENSION B17 (KONG, BD, and other companies offer similar products)
Chest ascender: Petzl CROLL B16 (KONG also offers similar products)
Chest harness: Petzl TORSE C26 (used to secure the chest ascender and keep it close to the body, also prevents the user from flipping and slipping out of the harness)
Cowstail: Petzl SPELEGYCA C44 (Petzl’s pre-made cowstail, called an asymmetric double locker, with lengths of 32cm and 58cm on either end—one end connects to the hand ascender as a cowstail, the other is used for protection during knot or anchor transitions)
Foot strap: Petzl FOOTTAPE C47 (alternatively, Petzl FOOTCORD C48, or make your own with webbing)
Foot ascender: Petzl PANTIN B02
Descender: Petzl STOP D09
Technical application
Descent: passing a knot in the rope
Due to certain limitations in descent width, it's not possible to attach two main ropes through an intermediate anchor point. In this case, the only solution is to directly connect the two main ropes without using an intermediate anchor. (Ugh... that’s really awkward.)
1. To join the ropes together, a figure-eight knot is used. The upper rope is tied with a double figure-eight knot, creating a loop that provides an attachment point for the climber during the knot-passing operation.
2. When descending to the knot, the climber clips the end of the cowstail into the loop, then attaches the ascender to the upper part of the knot so as to transfer their weight from the descender (here, the STOP) to the ascender (the cowstail ascender).
3. Then, the descender (STOP) is moved to the lower side of the knot. The working end of the rope is tightened to bring it closer to the knot, and the climber’s weight is shifted from the ascender back to the descender.
4. After removing the ascender (cowstail ascender) and taking the cowstail end out of the loop, descent can continue.
Descent: passing an intermediate anchor
1. When descending to the intermediate anchor, the climber clips the end of the cowstail into the anchor to take the load.
2. Then, the descender is moved to the rope below the intermediate anchor, and the working end of the rope is tightened to bring it closer to the anchor.
3. Once the cowstail end is removed from the anchor, descent can continue.
Ascent: passing an intermediate anchor
1. When ascending to the intermediate anchor, the climber clips the end of the cowstail into the anchor for protection.
2. Then, the ascenders are transferred in sequence to the rope above the anchor — warning: the chest ascender must be transferred first.
3. After removing the cowstail end from the anchor, ascent can continue.
This post has been synced to Cui’s Weibo