SummitPost.org

Hey there,
Pretty new to trad climbing, actually, never been. But I bought some nuts and a tool. Just wondering the best way to rack it. I have it tied to some accessory chord but its so long, don't really wnate it hangin to get stuck. What do you guys do?
Thanks,
Matt

I use this method to keep it from snagging:

http://www.climerware.com/ntool.shtml

just clip it to your harness. I've never had it snag.

tie several knots in the keeper string, then unclip as many as you need when you need them.

glahhg wrote:just clip it to your harness. I've never had it snag.

I agree. I've never had it snag either. If anything snags, it's the cams.

I use a version of this with a small biner on it.



http://www.kyledesigns.com/product/KEYREELLOCK/Key-Bak-Heavy-Duty-Locking-Retractable-Key-Reels.html

If you have one with a built-in wiregate on the handle, like the metolius freenut, then you can just clip it to one of the gear loops on your harness. The first one I ever bought was a BD, and I just clipped it to my harness with one of those keychain carabiners from Home Despot. No need to get too complicated.

I have a nut tool with a coil on it that extends to arm-length but coils up short, and I just clip the tool and the coil to a carabiner on my harness. I leave the nut tool unclipped for easy access if I'm pumped. You can make one out of old telephone cord.

-Mark

My friend had his nut tool snag the loop on the back of his climbing shoe while runout in a chimney on Epinephrine. He said it was quite an interesting situation - scared the $hit out of him.

Me, I just say "Go Go Gadget Nut Tool", calmly unclip it from my harness and get right to work. Works every time. I guess you could always tape it to your forehead.

Or stick it in your pocket so your partner knows your happy to see her.





For me, I have a short keeper sling, with a 'bail biner, that can (and has) double as a prusik-loop. Never had it catch on anything or get in the way.

The evolution of the nut tool, like many things designed by humans, does not exactly inspire confidence in our future prospects. It took more than 20 years to figure out it would be nice to have a carabiner-like clip built in, and another few before some genius figured out that welding a little round bit on the end of the handle would allow the user to strike the tool without slicing open their palm.

So far as key chain biners and telephone cords are concerned, I try to avoid mixing stuff into my climbing gear which won't reliably hold my body weight.

For me it's the Metolius one with a clip and palm protector riding on my harness with no cord. Look out below!

Heh, for many years I just used a modified aluminum shelf hanger. It worked quite well.

ksolem wrote:It took more than 20 years to figure out it would be nice to have a carabiner-like clip built in, and another few before some genius figured out that welding a little round bit on the end of the handle would allow the user to strike the tool without slicing open their palm.

I use a hex to hammer on the nut tool. I'm not sure what other purpose hexes serve