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View Full Version : Coffee Can Deadman Anchor in Quandary



rsmiller
11-30-2009, 04:38 PM
I posted this under the Quandary conditions post but thought others might see it here.

We found and removed the coffee can anchor that someone had left earlier this fall. The reason I am posting this here is that these appear to be an accident waiting to happen!!

The deadman we recovered nearly failed when the last group used it - see pictures below. Judging from the webbing there is one more of these left in the canyon which we used before finding this one. It is likely in a simalure condition and should be removed.

Please don't bring more trash into the canyons!

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Zt-v4UAhLbg/SxNEd6w56LI/AAAAAAAAIpk/MANnkeAyG5g/s400/Canyons_2009__%20346.JPG


The side that blew out:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Zt-v4UAhLbg/SxRhppPv3qI/AAAAAAAAI3U/sVH3CnaopnQ/s400/coffee%20can%20112.JPG


The bearly remaining side:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Zt-v4UAhLbg/SxRhmHkRq6I/AAAAAAAAI3Y/HJtcHWYWKaI/s400/coffee%20can%20110.JPG

Scott Card
11-30-2009, 05:28 PM
And I repeat.... :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: and :nono:

Man, that is scary.

trackrunner
11-30-2009, 05:45 PM
Judging from the webbing there is one more of these left in the canyon which we used before finding this one. It is likely in a simalure condition and should be removed.


close it's not a coffee can but small rock. It should be removed/replaced.

I'll cross post my post from your other thread here

original discussion is found here
http://www.canyoneering.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3077

for those that can't access: author writes that only one of the two deadman were coffee can's. The other was one small rock with more small rocks pilled on. author in big bold letters states DIG THIS ONE UP AND REPLACE (directed toward the 2nd deadman).

Interesting it says to inspect & evaluate the coffee can but doesn't come straight and say replace like the 2nd dead man, instead use at own risk.

also will add that the strenght rating on the quick links used is only 220lbs!

It's a good idea to inspect deadman anchors because just like this situation you don't know if it was poorly made or not. Good idea to brink a headlamp because you might spend time replacing and evaluating and don't want time to be an excuse to cut corners, IMHO.

rsmiller may I have your permission to hotlink these anchor pictures back into the original thread, maybe even a scenario thread about this anchor.

Thanks

rsmiller
11-30-2009, 05:50 PM
Yes please cross link. The coffee can thing should be fully discouraged.

trackrunner
11-30-2009, 06:05 PM
Yes please cross link.

cross link completed I gave picture credit to you.

ratagonia
12-01-2009, 04:12 AM
also will add that the strenght rating on the quick links used is only 220lbs!

Thanks

You mean, I hope, that the RATING on the quick link is 220 lbs, the "SWL" or Safe Working Load. The actual strength is 5X this.

Still, the whole thing gives me the willies... Careful out there!!

:moses:

rsmiller
12-01-2009, 07:12 AM
Does anyone know if this guy used these things in other canyons?

Iceaxe
12-01-2009, 08:25 AM
To the best of my knowledge.... the coffee cans you found were his test run. He posted about their use and was swiftly informed that in addition to being trash they were a poor idea.

But I'm sure there are plenty of similar low quality anchors out there (both bolted and natural) to keep us all entertained for a long time....

In the end, you are responsible for your own safety.

.

forum8fox
12-01-2009, 07:27 PM
It seems to me you'd be an idiot to drill holes in a coffee can and put links through them. Why not loop the webbing all the way around the can and tape it in place? Still crappy idea either way. Just another reason to use retrievable stuff and clean the old fixed junk out, one canyon at a time we can clean things up.