Do you FLAG your ledge??

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Fish_Products

Big Wall climber
FishProducts.com
Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 16, 2010 - 03:35pm PT
How many people actually flag their ledge these days?

How many flagged ledges do you voyeurs see up on El Cap, as a percentage of total ledges seen?

And if you don't, why don't you flag your ledge?

Thanks, and do have a lovely day today and a fruitful and pleasant tomorrow.


See us on the web at:
http://www.FishProducts.com
http://fishproductsblog.blogspot.com/
Mark Hudon

Trad climber
Hood River, OR
Dec 16, 2010 - 04:01pm PT
I've done it for one pitch, so far. As a rule, no, though. It's easy to take down and easy to set up. Additionally, I spent a bunch of money on it, I want it to last.
Buju

Big Wall climber
the range of light
Dec 16, 2010 - 04:10pm PT
Yeah...I dont want to beat mine up either.

Also, I am usually only doing routes were the belayer is not required to sit on a ledge for 5 hour leads.
Holdplease2

Big Wall climber
Yosemite area
Dec 16, 2010 - 05:24pm PT
I flag my ledge all the time. It doesn't get beat up because its a FISH ledge with ballistic reinforcements on the sides coated in tool dip. I have no doubt that my ledge will outlast my climbing career based on how well Pete's ledge lasted. Also, if I totally FUBAR it, I have no doubt that FISH will fix it up for a reasonable price.

The only time I put it away is on the summit haul, which makes sense because I won't be using it again and its usually a bad haul.

Shoot, the thing even gets caught under roofs and hourglasses like you wouldn't believe then springs back into shape. Worst case scenario a corner pops out and I have to re-seat it. Pete's ledge got bent once, he just stomped on it for about 5 minutes and much to my surprise it was good as new when he was done.

For me, 45 minute sitting belay beats a 45 minute hanging belay. Multiply or divide by five and the answer doesn't change, I'd rather sit around in comfort. :)


Kate

Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Dec 16, 2010 - 05:32pm PT
Tom Evans may be the main man for information on this subject, at least with respect to El Cap. Practices elsewhere may of course vary considerably.
mastadon

Trad climber
quaking has-been
Dec 16, 2010 - 05:47pm PT

The modified lawn chair is a nice alternative for hanging belays….

Another use for The Chair

Still another

And last but not least…..
Moof

Big Wall climber
Orygun
Dec 16, 2010 - 06:11pm PT
No flagging here. I'm amazed by how little it takes to bugger up a haul, and the last thing I need is a big old ledge to further bugger things up. But I'm a wall noob and don't climb that much.

My most recent ledge breaks both the side and end poles in half (equal lengths AFTER breaking in half), which makes setup pretty fast even though it is a monster (50"x84"). I had it setup in <5 minutes on a full on hanging belay while crammed against my partner. When he asked what he could do to help I told him "Defend yourself!" as Chrome Moly twirled in the darkness. Biggest problem is that it's easy to accidentally pass the bundle through a strap leading to cluster (I think I'll add quicklinks on the corners for the next trip). And I need a proper haul bag, it's crammed in a single ledge bag right now, making stowage the longest step.
John Mac

Trad climber
Littleton, CO
Dec 16, 2010 - 07:12pm PT
Nope, I don't flag ledges. Tried it once.

I'd rather get up five minutes earlier and put it away and take care of it.
WBraun

climber
Dec 16, 2010 - 07:39pm PT
I've always just flagged it. Takes 2 seconds to do.

Haul and 2 seconds set back up and lay down and then belay.

Speed is good .....
Prod

Trad climber
Dec 16, 2010 - 07:45pm PT
Flagger, I'm with Kate, I hate hanging belays. I figure if I fuk it up I'll buy another one from Fish Products. I think I'll go with a double next time though.

Prod.
The Larry

climber
Moab, UT
Dec 16, 2010 - 08:27pm PT
If it is steep (which most of my big wall ascents were) I always flag.
Captain...or Skully

Big Wall climber
leading the away team, but not in a red shirt!
Dec 16, 2010 - 09:08pm PT
Flag it, baby.
ron gomez

Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
Dec 16, 2010 - 09:15pm PT
Speaking of FLAGGED, did my order from Sooze get flagged as it passed yer desk?
Merry Christmas to the ENTIRE staff at Fish Products and continue with the great job you ALL do there! By the way are you guys needin' any work done on your aches and pains these days? Just let me know and I'll be by to check in on ya!
Peace
Shack

Big Wall climber
Reno NV
Dec 16, 2010 - 09:45pm PT
Thanks, and do have a lovely day today and a fruitful and pleasant tomorrow.

Obviously the staff in the Market Research department over at Fish Products Inc. is just messin with us.

If both climbers have ledges, do you still just flag one?
Anyone ever flagged 2?
Tarbuster

climber
right here, right now
Dec 16, 2010 - 10:00pm PT
My sub ledge got confiscated out back in C loop WBITD.
But I could see flagging my p-ledge; prolly go wit da international theme.
Jamaican flag, Austrian flag, Italian for sure ... American of course.

-----------------------------------------------------------


***Sent from my Blackberry, whils't sitting out the weather in a Russian prison.
Gagner

climber
Boulder
Dec 16, 2010 - 10:33pm PT
Sometimes, but as Mark said above, only on the occasional pitch, or if say for example the weather is dicey and I want to be able to get it in quick - Lovelace and I flagged the ledge the whole time when in Baffin Island because we, as Wener said, wanted to lay down and belay, and of course have shelter from the weather.

Paul
pyro

Big Wall climber
Calabasas
Dec 16, 2010 - 11:16pm PT
no way man!
Captain...or Skully

Big Wall climber
leading the away team, but not in a red shirt!
Dec 18, 2010 - 10:38am PT
Actually, I rarely flag mine anymore, it's a single. I used to have an A5 double, which was flagged a lot. It was just more annoying to set up & break down. That is a moot point with my sweet single.
WBraun

climber
Dec 20, 2010 - 07:20pm PT
Just see how simple it is as coz explains the method above.

If one can't figure out a simple thing like this one is definitely and idiot.
MTucker

Ice climber
Arizona
Dec 20, 2010 - 07:35pm PT
Once again Coz shows how brilliant and nice he is. NOT!!

We used a black single and a red double on the FA of the Shaft, or incorrectly known as the free attempt of the Muir. We flagged, hauled, thrash the thing for 54 days. We used it in the Yukon for 20 days. And probably about another 100 days on other walls.

They are both still bomber, so you sissy boys worried about hurting your Fish ledge, have nothing too worry about. Put away you man purses and ear rings and sack up and flag with pride.

It's solid, bomber and made in the USA, instead of China by some corporate monster Posing as a cool liberal climbing company. ; )

Scott Cosgrove,

The wall has to be overhanging, duh.

Here's the big trick, what for it....... clip the top and bottom of your ledge to the biggest haul bag. Put a little tie off on both sides and party on.

Leaving a ledge un-flagged is just well.... how do you say, "not so smart????"
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