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Alpine coil ?

PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2012 3:12 pm
by outofstep80
When you do an alpine coil you coil the rope around your chest, pull a bite behind the coil, tie an over hand knot in front of the coil, and clip the bite to your belay loop. This would in effect place the force of a fall on your chest where you tied the over hand knot.

Does anyone pull the bite through their belay loop prior to bringing behind the coil and then tie the over hand knot? I’ve been playing with this and it puts the load of a fall back to your belay loop and is a little more comfortable. Wondering if there are any down sides to this or any safety issues?

Thanks in advance for the help/tips.

Re: Alpine coil ?

PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2012 4:11 pm
by ExcitableBoy
I think what you are describing is often called the Kiwi coil. When tied correctly most of the load is on the belay loop. I've seen the Kiwi coil tied both ways you describe. Here is a video demonstrating how to tie it through the belay loop. http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Use-th ... -172949490

Re: Alpine coil ?

PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2012 5:23 pm
by outofstep80
That is exactly what I was talking about. Thank you good sir.

Re: Alpine coil ?

PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2012 5:46 pm
by ExcitableBoy
Most welcome. I noticed you are from Wisconsin. My best climbing partner is from Wisconsin and my wife went to UW Madison. Where do you climb? Devils Lake, Black Hills, the Tetons?

Re: Alpine coil ?

PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2012 7:30 pm
by outofstep80
I live about a ½ hour south of Green Bay. The Lake is my preferred place but it’s just under 3 hours from my house. I make it there 4-5 times a year. Neceda is pretty nice too but it’s a little over 3 hours. I usually only make it there 1x a year.

There is a place called High Cliff about 45 from my place and it has some nice bouldering. It’s a good place to go after work. Been to Governor Dodge 1x but got rained out.

Been out to the Black hills once, RRG is about 10 hours so I try to get there once a year. I have not made it to the Tetons yet but it’s on my list. The past few years I’ve been going to Colorado and trying my hand at alpine climbing. Will actually be heading out there again in the next few weeks so I’m pretty excited about that.

Is your wife from WI or just go to school here? If you’re ever in the area and want to meet at the Devils Lake or something let me know.

Re: Alpine coil ?

PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2012 7:40 pm
by ExcitableBoy
My wife grew up in a number of different places, but never lived in Wisconsin except to go to school there. I don't see myself going to the midwest unless both coasts sink.