Harness???

[Alex]

I guess I kind of grew out of my old harness. The legs feel pretty tight (is it suppose to be tight?) So I might swing by REI tonight to pick up a new harness.

Any suggestions on the make or what to look for? I would like to spend under 50 bucks for now.

Thanks... patiently waiting a reply... :ne_nau:

[Iceaxe]

Here is the harness I recommend for canyoneering

Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness
http://www.rei.com/product/47635795.htm?vcat=REI_SEARCH

It's $29 bucks at REI.

It's the harness I use :2thumbs:

[Alex]

Thanks man, I am off to the store then. Anything else I should get for now? I have a carabeiner (just one) and a belay similiar to this:
http://www.rei.com/product/979.htm?vcat=REI_SEARCH though mine might be old or something, it's blue color and it's a hallow inside no divider...

[Scott Card]

REI still sells harnesses???? I thought they were only selling froof and powder puff stuff? Glad to here they haven't totally lost it.

[stefan]

alpine bod :2thumbs:

[rockgremlin]

I hate REI! REI is for wannabe yuppies who buy scads of gear, but never use it more than once a year... :fitz:

[price1869]

REI rocks the house, but . . .

Yes, you need more carabiners. You'll accumulate a lot of gear as you get more and more into it.

In some canyons (Alcatraz, Not Mind Bender) It's much better to just tie a harness out of webbing. Otherwise you just sent your $29.99 down the crapper. You need some webbing slings and quite a few carabiners. A lot of canyoneers suggest you get a pirahna, but I just use an ATC basket. Just have 2 carabiners that are the same size so you can up your friction level on the long raps. Right Shane? (Pandora's) You'll also want some rappel rings, some extra webbing for making anchors, etc.

My rebate last year was well over $200 :nod:

Later

[James_B_Wads2000]

Here is the harness I recommend for canyoneering

Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness
http://www.rei.com/product/47635795.htm?vcat=REI_SEARCH

It's $29 bucks at REI.

It's the harness I use :2thumbs:

http://images.rei.com/media/786487.jpg

Ah the Bod, my first harness. It's only been used about 15 times before I grew out of it. Now it hangs in shame in my garage. I guess that makes me an REI yuppie snob.

This is the one I have now:

Singing Rock Soul Harness

http://knradventuregear.com/harnesses/singingrock_harnesses/soul_pic.jpg


James

[Iceaxe]

Buy a BD ATC-XP for a rappel device. The standard ATC like you have is too fast for skinny ropes. I hate the Pirahna, it twists your ropes, which will eventually lead to a stuck rope..... YMMV....

You should also have at least three locking biners.

and while you are buying you should get at least 50' of 1' webbing. Buy one section of 12' webbing and I'll show you how to go lite in the Black Hole on Sunday.

:popcorn:

[Brian in SLC]

Here is the harness I recommend for canyoneering
Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness

My current preference is the standard Bod Harness.

Cut off the felt backing. Cut off that silly extra aluminum backup buckle.

Leg rear riser straps are much, much wider, and hence, much more durable for canyoneering where you spend a bit of time in the "toboggan" position.

Comes with presewn gear loops, although I think the alpine bods have this now too.

-Brian in SLC

[rock_ski_cowboy]

Buy a BD ATC-XP for a rappel device. The standard ATC like you have is too fast for skinny ropes. I hate the Pirahna, it twists your ropes, which will eventually lead to a stuck rope..... YMMV....


ATC works fine for skinny ropes if you know how to rig it (I still use mine for everything w/o a problem ), but yes ATC-XP is way nicer, and better for skinny roaps. Piranha is sweet in the flow, but for A/B canyons I think ATC type devices are nicer because they don't twist the rop.

[James_B_Wads2000]

Buy a BD ATC-XP for a rappel device. The standard ATC like you have is too fast for skinny ropes. I hate the Pirahna, it twists your ropes, which will eventually lead to a stuck rope..... YMMV....


For those playing along at home:

[url=http://www.rei.com/product/47600100.htm?vcat=REI_SEARCH] [color=blue][u][b][size=6]Black Diamond ATC

[Alex]

Buy a BD ATC-XP for a rappel device. The standard ATC like you have is too fast for skinny ropes. I hate the Pirahna, it twists your ropes, which will eventually lead to a stuck rope..... YMMV....

You should also have at least three locking biners.

and while you are buying you should get at least 50' of 1' webbing. Buy one section of 12' webbing and I'll show you how to go lite in the Black Hole on Sunday.

:popcorn:

Shopping done, that webbing is expensive... but got 50' and 12', ready to rock on now! :rockon:

[Iceaxe]

Shopping done, that webbing is expensive... but got 50' and 12', ready to rock on now!

I nice chunk of webbing can save your ass..... use it as your emergency bolt kit, hand lines, pull chords, harness..... you can even rappel on it if you need to.

Its actually pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things.... wait until it's your turn to fill up my truck :lol8:

:five:

[Alex]

Oh I know... that's why I offered to drive my Honda. But if heavy 4wding involved then I can't take it.

[asdf]

ok

[Alex]

I am taking my harness back that I have dragged through Cheesebox stinky mud and on the sand walls of Leprechon. Got to love REI for that :)

[jumar]

That's why I buy from REI too. I know if I'm not happy with what I bought, I can take 'em back.

[stefan]

so kazak, what did you get, and why are you returning it?

[Alex]

I am taking back Singing Rock Balance Harness $36.95 Item 722081, it felt like a good harness, but not for canyoneering. Ice sold me on his harness. According to him and my 50lbs backpack, the harness has padding which absorbs water and also it's harder to put on in the water/mud. I am going to go with the harness that Ice recommended (Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness
$29.95 Item 699550)

PS: Sorry the links were too long to post here.

[stefan]

right on. yeah, i love the alpine bod too. try using tiny url if you want to post the links.


www.tinyurl.com

[marc olivares]

if you ever plan on doing a canyon w/ The Emperor, i'd reconsider that Bod and get something w/ a belay loop...:D

and being a newb to sports that require harnesses, the belay loops will help you keep organized easier, just food for thought.

i have a bod too, but i use it as a spare for people who forget to bring their gear...lol

[James_B_Wads2000]

I am taking back Singing Rock Balance Harness $36.95 Item 722081, it felt like a good harness, but not for canyoneering. Ice sold me on his harness. According to him and my 50lbs backpack, the harness has padding which absorbs water and also it's harder to put on in the water/mud. I am going to go with the harness that Ice recommended (Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness
$29.95 Item 699550)

PS: Sorry the links were too long to post here.


Again for those playing along at home:

Black Diamond Alpine Bod $29.95 (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?catalogId=40000008000&productId=47635795&stat=7889&langId=-1&y=13&x=11&orig=699550&storeId=8000&vcat=REI_SEARCH)

http://images.rei.com/media/786489.jpg


Singing Rock Balance $36.95 (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?catalogId=40000008000&productId=47896503&stat=7889&langId=-1&y=18&x=17&orig=722081&storeId=8000&vcat=REI_SEARCH)

http://images.rei.com/media/459244.jpg



James

[Iceaxe]

Yeah.... Tom hates a harness without the belay loop. :frustrated:

But the first time you go canyoneering and its 20 degrees outside and you are standing in two feet of mud and needing to put on your harness you will be sold on an Alpine Bod. :2thumbs:

The really funny part is Kazak asked the salesmen for and Alpine Bod and the salesman did a great job of "upgrading" him...... step over he son..... for just a few dollars more you get all this extra padding. :lol8:

:popcorn:

[Alex]

i'd reconsider that Bod and get something w/ a belay loop...:D


Funny you mention it, cause Ice, me, rock and itchy had that conversation during one of our stops. I had the padded harness on with the belay loop, but I found that it was easier for me to rappel by hooking both loops into the beener and not using the belay loop. I am new to the sport, so I don't know what works best of course, but I rappeled 4 times last weekend and found not using the loop was easier for me to keep the belay device straight. Am I weird? :ne_nau:

[rock_ski_cowboy]

Am I weird? :ne_nau:
No. Fussing over things that don't really matter that much is pretty standard for canyoneers! :haha: I'm wierd. I buy harnesses from ebay for 10 dollars, padded, unpadded, pink, whatever... cause canyoneering wears them out and I'm not hanging from it for long enough to really care how comfy it is. Interestingly enough, i have an alpine bod harness, and never use it, mostly because its the old style with the string gear loops and they've come off... now I can deal with no belay loop, but no gear loops? :nono:

I like the belay loop because i can have my clip-it sling attached to it, in addition to a couple biners for my atc... could be done on a bod, but i do like the loop.

[FOX]

I also have the Black Diamond Alpine Bod. I've had it for three years now and have used it in numerous canyons, tight narrows, water, blah,blah,blah. The thing is awesome. :2thumbs:
All of the other types I've owned eventually get destroyed...some on their maiden voyage. For me, "The Bod" was the answer. It's super easy to put on and incredibly rugged.

[marc olivares]

...I found that it was easier for me to rappel by hooking both loops into the beener and not using the belay loop. I am new to the sport, ....found not using the loop was easier for me to keep the belay device straight. Am i weird? ...

i totally understand what you mean, the belay loops tend to twist your devices into a wierd position on rappel. but w/ a bit of use, the loops will soften and loosen up making it easier for you to maintain comfortable control of your device.

everyone is a different and you're bound to hear a bunch of differing opinions. this is one of those areas that is best for you to work out yourself and do what's comfortable for you.
but for me, i like the belay loops for a couple of reasons
they are the strongest part of the harness, so uber safe to tie a safety onto
i like having my device a bit higher up so i can see it and make sure nothing gets sucked into it.
clipping onto loops is easy and fast, for rescue or general assistance, no fumbling w/ carabiners, or futzing w/ leg/waist looping etc... and i dont have to worry about fondling anyones jewels trying to clip onto their harness


i've used my Bod in a few canyons, but honestly i prefer to use my climbing harness because it's just more comfortable and has a loop.

guess the only real way to know what you want is to go more.
so whens the next trip? :mrgreen:

[Alex]

so whens the next trip? :mrgreen:

Heh I am sold on the sport, now I need to get my wife to sell on letting me go more often. I got a bright idea to bring her along for the camp outs and do the slots in AM then spend the rest of the afternoon hiking around with her. So I think my next trip will be down Zion. Ice kept saying all the cool spots outside of the regular Zion, so maybe I can convince more uutah victims (looks at rock, Ice and itchy) to put up with me again :haha:

PS: Well I bought the Bod harness, so we will see how that will do. Thank God I got it from REI, they are like free rental place :five:

PSS: ....Now which backpack to get...? :naughty:

[marc olivares]

getting my wife hooked on canyoneering was the best thing i have ever done and if you can get some shots like this of her, she'll be buying you gear all the gear you want. :2thumbs:

[Alex]

My wife is really not into the adventure sports, she is more of a hiker type. You have it good man!

Great shot btw, she looks tiny in there