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Jonny D
Social climber
Lost Angelez, Kalifornia
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Sep 10, 2008 - 07:47pm PT
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and it looks like to can turn it into a hanglider and fly away if you're stuck...
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mpk
Big Wall climber
pa.
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 10, 2008 - 07:51pm PT
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How did you know? There is an accessory kit that has foot mounted horizontal and vertical stabilizers. Glide ratio should be around 8 to 1. I think Chris Mac will test fly it.
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Jordan Ramey
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
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Sep 10, 2008 - 09:19pm PT
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That is pretty sweet looking. I'm interested to hear more about them. Great thinking outside the rectangular box.
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Offset
climber
slc
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Sep 10, 2008 - 11:34pm PT
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nice job! it's the 3-legged stool of ledges. could be groudbreaking!!
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MisterE
Social climber
My Inner Nut
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Sep 11, 2008 - 01:39am PT
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Very impressive - please post pictures of the fly when you have them.
That's a joke about the hang-gliding porta-ledge...right?
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le_bruce
climber
Oakland: what's not to love?
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Sep 11, 2008 - 02:37am PT
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Looks really interesting - good ol' American ingenuity coming out of PA.
One question: can't really tell in the vid, but it looks like you're holding a lynch pin in your right hand, and that you set it after swiveling and setting the triangle shape. Is that right? If it is, that lynch pin is on a keeper in the final version?
What route were you on when inspiration struck?
Frustration is the mother of ingenuity.
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Captain...or Skully
Big Wall climber
up Yonder (the edge of Treason)
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Sep 11, 2008 - 08:09am PT
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Bump
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Pierre
Big Wall climber
Sweden
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Sep 11, 2008 - 08:53am PT
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How much will it cost? (including fly)
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mpk
Big Wall climber
pa.
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 11, 2008 - 09:05am PT
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LeBruce, yeah, it's a .375inch stainless pin that you slide thru slots in the two base leg tubes. It's tied to the tube with cord. That is the only unassembled piece in the whole unit. Everything else is hinged together so all you do is unfold it. I was on Zodiac last year. In 1996 I was very low on the salathe when the valley flood storm hit. That time I never did get my ledge apart. I lowered it to the ground fully set up with the fly still on. I was in a waterfall the entire time. The ledge was wasted.
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billygoat
climber
3hrs to El Cap Meadow, 1.25hrs Pinns, 42min Castle
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Sep 11, 2008 - 09:26am PT
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Yeah, the cost part please...
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Sep 11, 2008 - 11:37am PT
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Chris - He says in one of the posts above that it weighs in at 11 lbs.
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mpk
Big Wall climber
pa.
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 11, 2008 - 12:46pm PT
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Ledge is 11 lbs. Fly is 2 1/2. 650 bucks for ledge. 850 with fly. I've used it with another company's rectangular single fly and it works fine. Just loose, but water tight. Tubing is 1 1/4 inch by .065 6065 aluminum. Stronger than the other guys. Fabric is all 1080 ballistics. Straps adjust the usual way but they can be separated to clip more than one anchor point.
Patent pending.
I'll post a new video by early next week. Production model is bigger and roomier than one in current video. I'll show close ups of everything and explain theory and mechanics.
I'm doing all the work except the sewing. That's being done pro by Equinox. 100% U.S. made.
Ledges are ready to go. Flies won't be ready for a week or so.
I AM SERIOUS ABOUT THE BEER POUCHES. DESIGNED TO COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 556.GJH 7890. THAT HAPPENS TO BE THE EXACT DIMENSIONS OF A 16 OUNCE KING COBRA MALT LIQUOR.
Will be made in various colors.
Hopefully I will get to Yosemite in October with ledges for sale and some loaners for testing.
Thanks.
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newyorker
Trad climber
White Plains, NY
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Sep 11, 2008 - 01:24pm PT
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sounds like it would be a bargain at twice the price...
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Michael D
Big Wall climber
Napoli, Italy
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Sep 11, 2008 - 02:03pm PT
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Nicely done. If you're putting together a mailing/marketing list, could you add me? I'll forward any info to the Club Arrampicata Napoli climbing group. Cheers
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MOsucks
Mountain climber
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Sep 13, 2008 - 12:23am PT
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A couple things I thought I would note:
What is the plan for when the fabric stretches?
Also you might consider a fourth support strap in the middle of the long section, over time the aluminum fatigue will get the best of it.
What kind of heat treatment has been done on the aluminum? Personally I would rather see one made from a high strength steel, it could be done with nearly the same weight...
I would recommend doing some calculations to insure you have a high safety factor above the strength of the aluminum if you aren't going to put that strap in.
Just a couple considerations
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mpk
Big Wall climber
pa.
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 13, 2008 - 09:40am PT
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To MOsucks,
Yes, there is a strap in the middle of the base side. The tubing overlaps 8 inches in the middle. Strength and rigidity of base side is crucial to overall rigidity. The fabric stretch over time is tightened up by adjusting the frame. Optional bolt holes are drilled at the reinforced tubing ends to adjust size of entire frame in any dimension. This is to negate the need to adjust anything when you are on the wall. You can even tighten fabric in one section and loosen it in another depending on how you like to be supported while sleeping. Tubing strength is overkill. The orientation of the bends in tubing adds to the rigidity. I will try to get a video together where I explain all of this while I'm on the ledge. You have asked the critical engineering questions. Web site will also cover all of this. New video coming soon. Thanks.
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Peyton Hassinger
Big Wall climber
Raleigh, NC
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Sep 13, 2008 - 10:33am PT
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Looks like it's way easier to set up! Nice job. Enticing.
1) How much will it cost?
2) Will the slightly bigger production models fit two people relatively comfortably?
3) I'm still not clear on whether or not the straps will be adjustable- this is crucial (even if they also detach for clipping different bolts which is a great idea).
4) Will it fit into a big Fish haulbag?
5) Be sure to reinforce the trampoline where the tubes run through it on the side that touches the rock, otherwise you gotta put duct tape on it.
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mpk
Big Wall climber
pa.
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 13, 2008 - 12:50pm PT
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Price 650 for ledge
850 with fly
There is room for two but one won't be able to stretch out, unless you spoon up close.
Straps are fully adjustable.
Width of folded unit in it's bag at the bottom is around 18 inches. That could be a problem. I strap it on the outside for hiking and hang it under the pig for hauling.
Wall side tubing has a double layer of ballistics nylon.
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MOsucks
Mountain climber
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Sep 13, 2008 - 01:45pm PT
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I see the strap now, it was a little hidden be the camera angle.
The pin connection sounds good, no possibility for sticking or breaking like a latch.
I am sure you are doing this but make sure for the production models that the bag used for hauling it is reinforced, it would if after a year of use the stitching broke and it fell...
When you get the new video I am sure everything will make more since. It seems like you have refined it; though, we may still be able to give some advice.
good luck
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